Two Irish golfers have been selected for the Great Britain and Ireland team, who will face off against the United States of America at the 50th Walker Cup in Cypress Point next month.

The County Louth pair of Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan have both been picked, while Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) will be the first reserve for the biennial match in California.

This announcement came after the news that Fota Island’s John Doyle has also been selected to represent the Great Britain and Ireland team at the Jacques Léglise Trophy, the U18 equivalent of the St Andrews Trophy, taking place this week at the Royal Club of Belgium.

Grehan, the partner of Olytico’s Carla Reynolds, made history at the weekend in Westport when he followed up his Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship success from Seapoint earlier this summer, with the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship.

Tiernan has also had a phenomenal season, with the highlight coming at Royal St George’s when he made it to the final of the 130th R&A Amateur Championship before losing to American Ethan Fang.

Fang will be part of a formidable USA outfit as they look to secure their fifth consecutive victory in the match, following their 14.5 to 11.5 win last time out at St Andrews.

The Great Britain and Ireland team are going in search of their first win in the match since 2015, and Golf Ireland High Performance Director, Neil Manchip, is excited to see the potential of this team.

“Selection for the Walker Cup is a huge honour for any player, and I’m delighted for Stuart and Gavin. To represent Great Britain and Ireland at a venue as special as Cypress Point is something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives,” he said.

“We had a very strong group of Irish players pushing for places again this year. Stuart’s form over the summer has been superb, and Gavin has shown his quality at the very highest level of amateur golf, too.”

“Both have earned this opportunity, and I know they will bring a lot to the team.”

“I’m also thrilled to see John Doyle selected for the Jacques Léglise team, another wonderful honour, and John is very deserving of his place given the brilliant season he is having. We wish him well in Belgium this week.”

This year’s Walker Cup takes place between 6 and 7 September and Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly believes the Irish players deserve their chance at creating more history in Cypress Point.

“This is a wonderful achievement for Stuart and Gavin. They have enjoyed outstanding seasons and this recognition is richly deserved,” said Kennelly.

“The Walker Cup is one of the great events in world amateur golf, and to have two Irish players selected, with a third on standby, highlights the strength of Irish golf, that we continue to see on the biggest stage.”

“Performances this summer, individually and in team events, have underlined just how competitive these players are at the top level. We look forward to seeing Stuart and Gavin make their mark at Cypress Point.”

 

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