Shannon's form earns promotion to Scotland

women's team for Europe

 

SCOTTISH GOLF NEWS RELEASE

In-form North-east teenager Shannon McWilliam has earned a step up to the Scotland women’s team for their European Team Championship next month.

 

The 17-year-old from Aboyne ([pictured) was an automatic selection for the Girls’ side, but her consistent form in leading events has secured her inclusion in the six-player line-up for the European Ladies Team Championship at Montado, Portugal from July 11-15.

 

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, tied seventh in qualifying at the Ladies’ 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 Ranking.

 

Four further selectors picks went to experienced Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Chloe Goadby (St Regulus), Hannah McCook (Grantown-on-Spey) and St Rule Trophy winner Clara Young (North Berwick).

 

The Girls’ team for their European team event at St Laurence, Finland from July 11-15 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 Mackintosh (Hazlehead) and Molly Richmond (Strathaven) make up the team as selectors' picks.

 

Patrick added: “On the women’s side, all players have shown good form throughout the year so it’s been one of the toughest teams to make for a while. We’re looking to get into the top eight matchplay stage in Portugal and then anything is possible after that.

 

“On the girls’ side, again the players have progressed. All the girls have played either Europeans or Home Internationals before, so for the first time in quite a few years we’re going with some experience. Again, we’re looking to reach the knockout, but we know it will be tough. There is an expectation they can do better than in previous years.”

 

Meantime, Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) and Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) will represent Scotland in the female event at the European Young Masters in Oslo, Norway from July 27-29. Aidan O'Hagan (Old Course Ranfurly) and Cameron Gallagher (Longniddry) will tee up in the boys’ section.

 

The Scottish Golf National Squads are sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management and supported by sportscotland.

 

Scotland Women’s Team for European Team Championship:

 

Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)

Chloe Goadby (St Regulus)

Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)

Hannah McCook (Grantown-on-Spey)

Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne)

Clara Young (North Berwick)

 

Reserve 1 – Gemma Batty (Moffat)

Reserve 2 – Heather Munro (Monifieth)

 

Scotland Girls’ Team for European Team Championship:

 

Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore)

Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)

Jillian Farrell (Cardross)

Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies)

Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead)

Molly Richmond (Strathaven)

 

Reserve 1 – Kirsten Brown (Strathaven)

Reserve 2 – Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle)