Wales face England, Scotland and Ireland in home international

MANY of Great Britain and Ireland’s stars of the future will be on view at Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club next week when the 2015 Boys Home Internationals take place over the championship links course.

The event, organised by the Royal and Ancient, takes place from Tuesday to Thursday (August 4-6) between the four home international countries in a round-robin format.

Matches begin on Tuesday with reigning champions England taking on host nation Wales, while Scotland and Ireland battle between themselves, before exchanging opponents on the final two days.

The Boys Home Internationals have been held for the past 90 years and are open to those aged 18 and under.

All playing next week will be off scratch or plus handicaps, and represent the best young players of each country.

The format is five games of foursomes (alternate shots) in the morning commencing at 8am and then 10 games of singles from 12.30 in the afternoon.

Like all major amateur tournaments, the event is not a “roped off” one, and therefore allows spectators to walk the fairways and watch the play from very close to the actual action.

Entrance for spectators is free on all days, including the Monday practice day.

Conwy Golf Club has hosted many leading amateur and professional events throughout its history, but in particular over the last 10 years.

Club secretary and manager Chris Chance said: ”The Boys Home Internationals are a great opportunity for local spectators to see the potential future British stars as they represent their countries in this prestigious event.”

Conwy GC captain David Williams added: ”There have been many now famous golfers who have played over the Conwy course as relatively unknown youngsters during the early days of their amateur careers.

“Former winning Ryder Cup cap- tains Ian Woosnam and Paul McGinley both played, as did three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington who, with McGinley, represented Ireland in the 1991 Home Internationals.

“Two stars of the recent 2014 Ryder Cup win by Europe over the USA played at the course as amateurs. Jamie Donaldson won the prestigious Aberconwy Trophy on three consecutive occasions, and Victor Dubuisson represented France in the 2009 European Amateur Team Championships at Conwy.

“At that same event, three-time European Tour winner Matteo Manessero represented Italy a couple of weeks after winning the British Amateur Championship at the age of 16.”