Amateur champions secure international selection in rule revamp

SELECTING teams in amateur golf has never been an exact science. In recent years, though, those involved in the performance side of things at Scottish Golf have attempted to devise an almost e=mc² formula for getting into a squad.

Amid a variety of aims, objectives, strategies and complexities, a selection policy was set in place that took into account a whole host of factors, including historical records of players in tournaments, world rankings, fitness, medical conditions and climatic considerations at said event.

It seemed to be something of a boxticking exercise and the whole thing came under withering scrutiny last year when Ailsa Summers won the Scottish Ladies Amateur Championship but wasn’t included in the Scotland team for the Home Internationals.

In many ways, the decision did little for the integrity of the national championship. At the time, Scottish Golf’s nowdeparted performance manager, Steve Paulding, said: “Work commitments restrict Ailsa in being able to practise and compete more regularly and consistently. However, we commend her decision to follow her career rather than play full-time golf.”

Many claimed the traditional, working amateur was being penalised for, well, working while the whole episode sent out the rather negative message that unless you’re a full-time, elite-level performer then you can forget about playing for your country. It all seemed to be a bit of a closed shop and was hardly encouraging for those not harbouring ambitions of a future career in the paid ranks.

Mercifully, those involved at Scottish Golf have changed the policy and, as of this season, the winners of the Scottish Men’s, Women’s, Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships will all secure automatic spots in their respective Scotland Home Internationals sides.

“In all of our Scottish Amateur Championships, the winners will have come through head-to-head matchplay format, which mirrors the style played at the 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. email: sport@theherald.co.uk. Tel 0141 302 6590 Head of Sport: Stewart Weir Home Internationals,” said Stuart Clayton, the acting head of performance at Scottish Golf.

“We, therefore, feel the champion will have demonstrated the capabilities required to perform well at the Homes and thus would be deserving of an automatic place.”

In a further new addition for 2017, domestic Order of Merit points will now be awarded at both male and female level for the leading 16 players in strokeplay qualifying for the Scottish and British Championships.