Five Irishmen in Walker Cup squad

FIVE Irishmen have been included in Britain and Ireland's provisional 21 player squad which is expected to provide the basis for the team to defend the Walker Cup at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, New York, on August 9th-10th next year.

Jody Fanagan, one of four survivors from the team that beat the USA 14-10 at Royal Portehawl last year, Keith Nolan, Noel Fox, Peter Lawrie and Graham Spring have been included in the squad, which will undergo a series of coaching get togethers.

However, George Macgregor, the chairman of selectors, insisted: "It is not an elite squad and gives players on the outside the chance to play themselves into the team.

Three current Irish champions are among the squad: Nolan, who is part of the B&I four man team to compete in the Eisenhower Trophy (world team championship) in the Philippines next month, won the Irish Open; Fox won the East of Ireland title, and Lawrie, who was undefeated in his three singles matches at the recent Home Internationals, claimed the Irish Amateur Close this season.

Fanagan, Gary Wolstemnholme, Graham Rankin and Barclay Howard are the only survivors from Portehawl. Macgregor commented: "I am delighted with the way the squad has taken shape since the beginning of the year. After the last Walker Cup, many of the players turned professional and we started off 1996 with almost a blank sheet of paper. I am pleased with the way the players have blended together and have been genuinely impressed with their performances throughout the season."

From an Irish viewpoint, the most surprising omission from the squad is American based scholarship student Richie Coughlan, from Birr. Coughlan missed the Home Internationals due to college commitments to play in Japan, but could yet force his way into contention.