New champion George Duncan selected for Scotland

Newly-crowned Scottish champion George Duncan has been selected for next week's Fairstone Home Internationals at Nairn.
Windyhill's George Duncan has been rewarded for winning the Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen. Picture: Kenny SmithWindyhill's George Duncan has been rewarded for winning the Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen. Picture: Kenny Smith
Windyhill's George Duncan has been rewarded for winning the Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen. Picture: Kenny Smith

The 21-year-old secured one of two remaining spots that were up for grabs in the 11-strong side, with the other berth going to Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson.

“We’re delighted to add George and Graeme to a Scotland team which now boasts a great blend of youth and experience,” said Scottish Golf performance director Steve Paulding.

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Duncan beat Nairn’s Andrew Burgess 3&1 at Royal Aberdeen on Saturday in a title showdown involving two surprise finalists.

Having left Ailsa Summers, winner of this year’s Scottish Women’s Championship, out of the side for this week’s Ladies’ Home Internationals in Wales, it wasn’t guaranteed that Duncan would be selected.

However, Paulding and his fellow selectors have definitely done the right thing by rewarding the Lincoln Memorial University student.

The decision also means that the men’s national championship hasn’t been devalued, which would have been a mistake.

“George is a player in form, having handled the pressure extremely well to come out on top of a very strong field at Royal Aberdeen last week,” said Paulding.

Robertson, who lost to defending champion Robert MacIntyre in the last 16 at Balgownie Links, will be making his sixth successive appearance in the Home Internationals.

“Graeme has a great track record for his country and will add his considerable experience to the team,” added Paulding.

“It will be a great test for the players to compete against some of the best players from the other home countries over such a fantastic and challenging course and I’m sure they’ll all relish the occasion.”

Full Scotland team

Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm, 34)

George Duncan (Windyhill, 21)

Calum Fyfe (Cawder, 19)

Craig Howie (Peebles, 21)

Barry Hume (Haggs Castle, 34)

Liam Johnson (Dumfries & County, 23)

Euan McIntosh (Turnhouse, 47)

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie, 28)

Craig Ross (Kirkhill, 23)

Jamie Savage (Cawder, 21)

Sandy Scott (Nairn, 18)