Howie Makes GB&I Walker Cup Squad Shortlist for the Road to LA

Peebles golfer Craig Howie has been named in the provisional Great Britain and Ireland 19-man squad for this year’s Walker Cup match against the USA.

Taking place in September at the prestigious Los Angeles Country Club, Howie’s selection gives him a good opportunity to make the final team of 10 who will line up against the leading Americans in the amateur game’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup.

Following a successful 2016 season in which he rose to a career high of 66th in the world amateur golf rankings, the 22-year old University of Stirling graduate is one of six Scots picked by captain Craig Watson, with GB&I aiming to successfully defend the trophy they won at Royal Lytham two years ago. Having played a starring role in Scotland’s European Amateur Team Championship victory in France last July, Howie has clearly caught the eye of the R&A’s selectors.

Former British Amateur Champion Craig Watson, who will captain the GB&I Walker Cup team for the first time, said: “We have identified a strong group of players who are all in contention for a place on the team and we will be monitoring their performance and results over the coming season.

“We will also pay close attention to the progress and form of players who have not been included in this current squad as they also have the opportunity to play their way into contention for the team selected to play the USA in September.”

Howie is joined by fellow Scots Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten), Connor Syme (Drumoig), Craig Ross (Kirkhill), Barry Hume (Haggs Castle) and Nairn’s Sandy Scott.

Having been preparing for the new golf season at the Scottish Golf training camp in Florida last month, Howie has jetted off for a few more weeks of warm weather in South Africa with the Scotland squad, where he’ll compete in a number of major events including the South African Amateur Championship. The Scottish Golf trip is funded through support from Aberdeen Asset Management, sportscotland and the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation.