Walker Cup:Rory McIlroy and Jonathan Caldwell have booked their place on the Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team set to take place against the Americans at Royal County Down next month (September 8-9th).
The team was announced today with Tony Disley, Chairman of The R&A Selection Committee, confident they have a team capable of winning back the trophy: "We have picked a strong team that is more than capable of defeating the Americans at Royal County Down."
"The team not only includes players with experience at the highest level but has a number of exciting younger players who we believe will excel on the occasion."
"While a number of players will naturally feel disappointed at being left out of the team, we have no doubt that the ten players selected can regain the Walker Cup for Great Britain and Ireland."
One such player who will be disappointed is Richard Kilpatrick. The Banbridge golfer has shown great form this season and won the East of Ireland Championship at Baltray before playing a key role in Ireland's recent success as they won the European Amateur Team Championships at Western Gailes in Ayrshire.
"To have two Irish players on the team is great news, to have got three would have been tremendous," said Shay Smith, General Secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland. "You have to feel for players like Richard (Kilpatrick) who must have been close."
As for Caldwell he earned his place with strong performances through the season and formed a winning partnership with McIlroy in the top pairing for Ireland at Western Gailes. That week he also shot the amateur course record 65 during qualifying.
McIlroy was a virtual shoe-in for the team for some time as the Holywood teenager kept proving his credentials time and time again. The reigning European Individual Amateur champion also played all 72 holes at this year's Open at Carnoustie and won the silver medal as top amateur.
Along the way he also became the youngest player to retain both the the West of Ireland and Irish Close titles in 2006.
To have two Irishmen on the 10-man team is a fine effort but alongside Kilpatrick, fellow Irish team mates Shane Lowry or Simon Ward will fell they had a chance, particularly after one spot was virtually freed up when US Amateur Champion Richie Ramsay turned professional last week.
Britain & Ireland Walker Cup Team 2007
Jonathan Caldwell (23) Clandeboye
Rhys Davies (22) Royal Porthcawl
Nigel Edwards (38) Whitchurch
David Horsey (22) Styal
Llewellyn Matthews (23) Southerndown
Rory McIlroy (18) Holywood
Jamie Moul (22) Stoke-by-Nayland
John Parry (20) Harrogate
Lloyd Saltman (24) Craigielaw
Daniel Willett (19) Rotherham
Reserves
Gary Boyd (20) Cherwell Edge
Kevin McAlpine (23) Alyth
Captain:Colin Dalgleish (46) Helensburgh
Chairman of R&A Selection Committee:Tony Disley (56) Royal Porthcawl
