Gregor selected for top national squad
Rising star will compete at Europeans in Poland
Scottish Golf this week announced their squads to represent Scotland at the European Team Championships.
And rising Perthshire talent Gregor Graham has been named in the national boys’ group who will head for Wroclaw, Poland from July 10 to 13.
The Blairgowrie Golf Club member, still only 15, will make his Scotland debut at under-18 level when action tees-off at the Toya Golf and Country Club.
Also named in the squad were Ben Carberry of Falkirk Golf Club, Cameron Gallagher of Longniddry Golf Club, Ruben Lindsay of Ayr Belleisle Golf Club, Aamar Saleem of New Golf Club St Andrews and Calum Scott of Nairn Golf Club.
They have been hard in training this week in preparation for pulling on the national colours.
“One of my goals this year was to try and get selected for the team - and to get my first under-18 cap,” Gregor explained to the PA.
“When I saw the email I was so excited and didn’t actually believe it at first. I was shocked and it’s what I’ve been working hard for.
“Last year I had the same target but didn’t get selected. That pushed me to work harder and make sure I was in the Gregor Graham is looking forward to his Poland trip
team this year.
“Every single one of the team are great mates and I think the team is really strong with good chemistry. We have a chance of getting back up to the main league.
“I’ve had a little look at the course on the website and it looks absolutely amazing. I’ve never been in Poland before so I’m excited to go there.
“We’re leaving at three o’clock in the morning on Sunday for an early start. This week has been a good time and we’ve also had the serious heads on, working hard as a team and focusing on what needs worked on to do our best.”
Gregor has represented Scotland at under-16 level and was part of the winning team at the Boys Quadrangular at Troon earlier this year.
“That was amazing and again I knew every one of the boys, a few who are in this squad,” Gregor said.
“It’s a step up and I’m sure I’ll still be nervous on the first tee. But hopefully my first time playing for Scotland will help with that. I’m trying to take it step by step, improve my game and then get to the next level after under-18.”
Recent form has been strong with Gregor narrowly missing out on advancing through to the final stage of qualifying for The Open.
“The game is getting there and it’s feeling pretty good,” he said. “I just need to get the putting sorted and hopefully I can get that going for next week.
“I was at an Open qualifier and played really well. There were just a couple of silly mistakes which made me miss getting to the next stage.
“It was a really good experience playing with the top guys. It was down at Panmure which was in really good condition.
“I’ve got a few things coming up after Poland too. There is the Scottish Boys matchplay, at my home club, which I’m looking forward to.”
The team will be supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments, whose chairman Martin Gilbert said: “Some of the names announced will surely become some of the stars of the future and we wish them the best of luck competing across Europe later this month.”