The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
GOLF EXTRA
In-form teenager Shannon McWilliam has earned a step up to the Scotland women’s team for next month’s European team championship.
The 17-year-old, from Aboyne, was an automatic selection for the girls’ side but her consistent form in leading events has secured her inclusion in the sixplayer line-up for the European team championship at Montado, Portugal from July 11 to 15. Grantown’s Hannah McCook is also included in the team.
David Patrick, national women’s and girls’ coach, said: “Shannon finished joint second at the Scottish girls’ open, second at the Helen Holm Scottish women’s event, tied seventh in qualifying at the British amateur and was the best-placed Scot at the European individual last year. In the biggest events, she has a good record of performing when it counts.”
With leading player Jessica Meek unavailable as she finishes her college degree at the University of Missouri, McWilliam is joined by new Scottish women’s amateur champion Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies), the only automatic selection from the world amateur golf rankings. Four further selectors picks went to experienced Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Chloe Goadby (St Regulus), McCook and St Rule Trophy winner Clara Young (North Berwick).
The girls’ team for their European team event at St Laurence, Finland, from July 11 to 15 features girls’ order of merit leader Jillian Farrell from Cardross, a semi-finalist at the Scottish women’s amateur, and another automatic selection in Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore), third on the order of merit.
Louise Duncan (West Kilbride), Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies), Jasmine
“In the biggest events, she has a good record of performing”
Mackintosh (Hazlehead) and Molly Richmond (Strathaven) make up the team as selectors picks.
Meantime, Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) and Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) will represent Scotland at the European Young Masters in Oslo, Norway, from July 27 to 29. Aidan O’Hagan (Old Course Ranfurly) and Cameron Gallagher (Longniddry) will tee up in the boys’ section.