‘We are increasingly aware of the quality of golf being played by many 17 and 18 year olds and consequently we have picked 5 young men who will be around that age next year.

‘These five juniors have shown that they can compete at senior level.

‘However we are also aware that there are other young players, just as highly ranked. Who are not in the squad and we will be keeping a close eye on these players as well as our squad members. Make no mistake, if they play well enough we will pick them whatever their age.’

McEvoy was also keen to point out that players from outside the squad can still force their way into the team –

‘The squad represents the 29 players we feel are most likely to be competing for Walker Cup places next year.

‘However situations change as does form and I would not be in the least surprised if players from outside the squad challenge for or secure spots in the team.’

For players of Matt Cryer’s abilities, 72 hole successes such as just recently becoming Czech Amateur Champion will help his cause, for both Walker Cup and EGU selection.

2004 also saw Matt finish as the third qualifier from the 64 who made it through to the matchplay section of the Amateur – from a field of over 300.

The full squad for the Walker Cup is as follows –

Matthew Baldwin (Hesketh), Lee Corfield (Burham & Berrow), Rys Davies (Royal Porthcawl), Robert Dinwiddie (Barnard Castle), Nigel Edwards (Whitchurch), Oliver Fisher (West Essex), Noel Fox (Portmarnock), Zac Gould (Vale of Glamorgan), James heath (Coombe Wood), Gary Lockerbie, Gareth Maybin (Ballyclare), Andrew McArthur (Windhill), Brian McElhinney (North West), Jamie McLeary (Leven GS), Cian McNamara (Limerick), Sean McTernan, George Murray (Earlsferry Thistle), Paul O’Hara (Colville), Sam Osborne (Wentworth), Richard Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), Matthew Richardson (The Buckinghamshire), Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw), Michael Skelton (Middlesborough), Craig Smith (St Mellons), Paul Waring (Bromborough), James Williams (Pontypridd), Stuart Wilson (Forfar), Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs), Gareth Wright ((West Linton).