Wilson will be flying the flag in Wisconsin
Blairgowrie club secretary is selected for Junior Ryder Cup
Paul Lawrie’s selection committee for the European Junior Ryder Cup team will have a strong Perthshire input.
Blairgowrie Golf Club’s managing secretary Stuart Wilson is being joined by coach Spencer Henderson, a trustee with the Perth-based Barrie Douglas Foundation, who will also be the one-time Open champion’s vice-captain for the rescheduled Wisconsin match-up with Team USA in September.
One-time Amateur champion Wilson has a wealth of experience, skippering the European team when the event was held at Blairgowrie seven years ago.
He will also be leading the
GB&I Walker Cup team against the Americans in Florida in May.
“I am happy to assist Paul in any way I can,” said Wilson, who was lured to Blairgowrie last year from a similar management role at Forfar Golf Club.
“I have very fond memories of captaining the Junior Ryder Cup teams in 2012 and 2014 and being involved in the selection process of those European teams.
“It’s nice to be asked to be involved again.
“The schedule of events we will be keeping a particularly close eye on has been released and hopefully they can proceed as planned.
“I’m sure we will have a good picture of who is doing what and who should be in our thoughts for the team.
“There are only places for six boys and six girls from across the whole of Europe so, as ever, competition is going to be intense.”
Wilson’s immediate priority is preparing Blairgowrie for the emergence from lockdown, with Perth and Kinross-based members able to book fourballs on Friday, March 12 for the first time in months.
“These are trying times for everyone. But now we are looking forward to the next stage, when we hope to get the green light from the Scottish Government to open the full facility to both members and visitors.”
Paul Lawrie Golf Centre senior instructor Henderson, the Scottish Golf performance coach and former Scottish Boys’ team coach recently appointed as performance advisor by the Golf Association of Serbia, said: “I’m extremely honoured and excited to be working alongside Paul.
“Obviously the season is again being impacted by the pandemic but we are looking forward to the eight boys’ international and nine girls’ events on the horizon.”
Henderson worked closely in developing youth talent with the late Barrie Douglas, the Perth businessman, R&A selector and Blairgowrie member who died while captaining the Scottish boys’ team in Spain four years ago.
Foundation trustee Charlie Gallagher said: “There’s no doubt of the commitment and track record of Stuart and Spencer in supporting young golfing talent. They will be huge assets to Paul and his fellow selectors.”
Blairgowrie captain James Macfarlane added: “We are delighted that Stuart is putting the club on the world golfing map this year and we wish him every success in his ventures.”