Mixed fortunes for Scots in Curtis Cup and Walker Cup squads

But, announced at the same time, a 15-strong men’s group earmarked for the Walker Cup in Florida contains just a solitary Scot in Nairn’s Sandy Scott.

Darling, a two-time Scottish Girls’ champion from Broomieknowe, is the youngest among 17 players named by the R&A in a squad for both the Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy.

She is joined by compatriots Chloe Goadby (St Regulus), Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) and Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne).

McWilliam played in the 2018 match at Quaker Ridge in New York, where the visitors were crushed 17-3.

But, after wins at Nairn in 2012 and Dun Laoghaire in 2012 and 2016, GB&I will be bidding to make it three triumphs in a row on home soil at Conwy in north Wales on 26-28 August.

The Vagliano Trophy, a match against Continental Europe, takes place at Golf Club de Lausanne in Switzerland on 25-26 June.

Elaine Ratcliffe, GB&I captain, said: “We have been able to bring in a number of new players into the squad alongside those who were selected last year.

“We have a good blend of youth and experience in the squad, but there is still time for other players to make their case for inclusion in the final teams selected.”

Scott, who played in last year’s match at Royal Liverpool, is among 15 players named in the Walker Cup squad.

The world No 8 had intended to have embarked on his professional career this year, but that switch has been put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Scott, 22, who played in the US Open at Winged Foot in September, is back at Texas Tech and now has his sights set on making a second Walker Cup appearance at Seminole in Florida on 8-9 May.

Stuart Wilson, GB&I captain, said: “We have selected a talented group of players to work with in preparation for the match against the United States of America next year.

“We will be closely monitoring their form and results in a number of important events over the coming months while other players still have time to play their way into contention before we finalise the team which will travel to Florida.

“We will go to Seminole with belief in ourselves and will give it our best shot to win back the trophy.”

GB&I Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup squad:

Hannah Darling (17, Scotland), Annabel Fuller (18, England), Chloe Goadby (23, Scotland), Paula Grant (27, Ireland), Charlotte Heath (19, England), Lily May Humphreys (18, England), Hazel MacGarvie (21, Scotland), Julie McCarthy (21, Ireland), Caley McGinty (20, England), Shannon McWilliam (21, Scotland), Olivia Mehaffey (23, Ireland), Emily Price (21, England), Euphemie Rhodes (18, England), Emily Toy (23, England), Lauren Walsh (20, Ireland), Isobel Wardle (20, England), Annabel Wilson (19 Ireland).

GB&I Walker Cup squad:

Jake Bolton (22, England), Barclay Brown (19, England), Callum Farr (22, England), Alex Fitzpatrick (21, England), Angus Flanagan (21, England), Benjamin Jones (21,England), Matty Lamb (22, England), Joe Long (23, England), John Murphy (22, England), Tom McKibbin (17, Ireland), Joseph Pagdin (19, England), Mark Power (20, Ireland), Caolan Raferty (27, Ireland), Benjamin Schmidt (18, England), Sandy Scott (22, Scotland).

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