Teen golfers are picked for Euro contest
Daniel and Connor teed-up to play Swedish event
The young golfers of Perth and Kinross can already reflect on a summer of great success.
But the feel-good factor certainly continued this week when two county stars earned selection for a prestigious continental event.
Daniel Bullen (16) and Connor Graham (14) were beaming from ear to ear when they were chosen to represent the Great Britain and Ireland boys’ team.
The talented Perthshire pair will tee-up against Europe in the Jacques Léglise Trophy at Falsterbo Golf Club, Sweden on August 27 and 28.
The event is the U18 equivalent of the St Andrews Trophy and is played annually, with the venue alternating between Great Britain and Ireland and Europe.
Many of today’s top professionals, like Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, have contested the match in the past.
Blairgowrie Golf Club member Connor can’t wait to test himself against some of the best players from Europe.
“I was really excited to hear about it,” he said of his selection. “It is amazing to get into such a big event at such a young age.
“It’s a good achievement for me because it is a goal for a lot of the top players to get into the Jacques Léglise Trophy.
“I’m expecting a really high standard of golf.
“We’ll be coming up against the nine best players in Europe.
“We have a strong team and it’s great that we have a record-breaking amount of Scots playing in the event this year.
“We should have a lot of confidence because we’re all playing solid golf. If we do that, hopefully we can bring back the trophy.”
The team aspect of the Jacques Léglise Trophy is something Connor is relishing.
“I was at the Home Internationals a few weeks ago,” he said. “It’s good being in a team environment and playing with people you know.
“I’ll try to win as many points as possible and play good golf.
“I like matchplay and the different format from what you normally get.
“I’m a really competitive guy and always want to win. Since day one I’ve had that competitive edge.”
That competitive edge has been shining through in recent months and what a season the plus-four handicapper is having.
He won the Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters and Paul Lawrie Foundation Junior Jug, as well as clinching a runner-up spot in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy.
Impressively, he was also a semifinalist in the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship.
“It has been a really good season for me with some good finishes,” Connor smiled. “I’m really happy with the way my game is going.
“I’ve been more consistent and have been getting a little more distance off the tee this year.
“That has been really good for me. “Every time I go on the course I learn something new and gain more confidence from that.
“The Scottish Amateur Championship was a big confidence boost for me - being able to compete against the best in Scotland.”
The full Great Britain and Ireland team for the Jacques Léglise Trophy is: Cameron Adam (18, Royal Burgess, Scotland), Daniel Bullen (16, Auchterarder, Scotland), Jack Bigham (17, Harpenden, England), Archie Finnie (16, Royal Burgess, Scotland), Connor Graham (14, Blairgowrie, Scotland), Josh Hill (17, Trump International Dubai, England), Joshua Hill (18, Galgorm Castle, Ireland), Ruben Lindsay (17, Turnberry, Scotland), Harley Smith (16, The Rayleigh Club, England).
We should have a lot of confidence because we’re all playing solid golf