Planning for US match continues

Michael Hoey, the current Irish Open strokeplay champion, is one of seven players excused from Walker Cup squad duty at Nairn in Scotland next week when British and Irish captain Peter McEvoy will continue preparations for the match against the United States in September.

The players who have been given permission to miss the squad session are either at college in America or competing in Australia. Hoey is in the first year of a scholarship to Clemson State in South Carolina, the alma mater of another Irishman and former Walker Cup player Richie Coughlan.

"This weekend provides an opportunity for the squad to familiarise themselves with Nairn. We have a strong blend of youth and experience, and several others challenging for places. Our tremendous success in the Eisenhower Trophy (last November) will give the players added confidence for the year ahead. It is going to be a busy season, so it is important they pace themselves and plan their tournament selection accordingly," said chairman Peter Benka.

Warrenpoint's Paddy Gribben, who is the reigning European amateur champion and a member of that Eisenhower world championship winning team, Garth McGimpsey, Eamonn Brady and Noel Fox will all be present in Nairn next week.

The team of 10 players plus reserves will be selected after the English, Scottish and Welsh amateur championships at the end of July. The Irish championship takes place at Killarney in June.

Thirteen events have been listed by the selectors as the key tournaments towards determining selection: Lytham Trophy (May 1st2nd), Berkshire Trophy (May 1st-2nd), Brabazon Trophy (May 14th-16th), Irish Open Amateur Strokeplay (Royal Dublin, May 14th-16th), St Andrews Links Trophy (May 22nd-23rd), Amateur Championship (Royal Co Down, May 31st-June 5th), Scottish Strokeplay (May 12th-13th), Irish Amateur Championship (Killarney, June 12th-16th), Welsh strokeplay (June 18th-20th), European Men's Team Championship (June 29th-July 3rd), English Amateur Championship, Welsh Amateur Championship, Scottish Amateur Championship (July 26th-31st).

Meanwhile, Wicklow, who won the title two years ago, will have home advantage when they take on Louth in the Golfsure Leinster Intercounties Final at Arklow on Saturday.

Co Wicklow - J Groome, P Mulford, D Sinnott, A Condren, E Condren, K Condren, P McDonald, H McKinney. Manager: M Holt (Arklow).

Co Louth - B Ronan, F Gannon, N Beirth, B Reddan, S McParland, D Gannon, P Rogers. Manager: K Carrie (Ardee).