Cullen named in Europe team

Reigning Irish Amateur Open champion Gary Cullen faces a busy schedule over the coming months. The Beaverstown international has been selected in the team to represent Europe in the biennial match against Asia/Pacific at the Puerta de Hierro Golf Club in Madrid from April 12th to 14th.

Cullen is also among five Irish players included in a provisional squad of 21 players from which the Britain and Ireland team to defend the Eisenhower Trophy - World amateur team championship - in Berlin later this season will be selected.

Cullen, Royal Dublin's Eamonn Brady, Portmarnock's Noel Fox, Shandon Park's Michael Hoey and Scrabo's Andrew McCormick have been requested to attend a squad session at Turnberry on April 18th-19th, the first of a number of such sessions under the supervision of non-playing captain Peter McEvoy.

Five of the players included in the squad were members of the British and Irish team that won the Walker Cup at Nairn last year. They are Paul Casey, Luke Donald, David Patrick, Philip Rowe and Gary Wolstenholme - but a number of other players, including Warrenpoint's Paddy Gribben, have since turned professional. Peter Benka, chairman of the R and A selectors, remarked: "After our tremendous success of last year, it is important to maintain the momentum by continuing the squad system to prepare for the St Andrews Trophy and our defence of the Eisenhower Trophy." He added there were still a number of opportunities for those players not listed in the squad.

To that end, the five selectors - including Irish representative Rupert de Lacy Staunton - will attend 14 champions in Britain and Ireland this season. The two designated championships in Ireland are the Irish Open Amateur Championship at Royal Dublin on May 19th-21st and the Irish Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush on June 17th-21st.

The St Andrews Trophy against the continent of Europe will be played over the Ailsa Course, Turnberry, on June 30th July 1st while the Eisenhower Trophy takes place at the Sporting Club, Berlin, on August 31st September 3rd.

Europe: Nicholas Colsaerts (Belgium), Peter Jespersen (Denmark), Philip Rowe (England), Gary Wolstenholme (England), Mikko Ilonen (Finland), Tino Schuster (Germany), Gary Cullen (Ireland), Stefano Reale (Italy), David Patrick (Scotland), Oscar Sanchez (Spain), Johas Wahlsteadt (Sweden), Craig Williams (Wales).