New-look Scottish squad for Abu Dhabi coaching

FOLLOWING a changing of the guard as a result of players either moving to the professional ranks already or pondering such a switch, the squad selected by the Scottish Golf Union for a month’s warm weather training in Abu Dhabi has an unfamiliar look.

Only one player – Kirkhill’s Paul Shields – survives from the ten-strong squad that made a similar trip a year ago before heading out to South Africa for eight weeks at the start of 2011.

Scottish champion David Law has left the amateur ranks along with Jordan Findlay and Kris Nicol, while Michael Stewart is also expected to turn professional after he plays in the South African Open later this month.

Three others – Philip McLean, James White and Ross Kellett – are still amateurs but they’re weighing up professional careers as they prepare for either the second stage of the European Tour School or the Alps Tour Qualifying School.

Missing as well are Scott Gibson, now a freshman at East Tennessee State, and Fifer Greg Paterson, leaving the ever-improving Shields as the only player to be heading back to Abu Dhabi on 18 November.

Joining him at Yas Links, where the squad will work with both national coach Ian Rae and under-18s coach Neil Marr, is a group consisting of players who’ve been knocking at the door in recent years and the rising stars in Scottish golf.

Leven’s Brian Soutar, who has played in the last two Home Internationals, is included along with fellow Fifer Scott Crichton from Aberdour, as well as 2010 Junior Tour winner Conor O’Neil (Pollok), former British Boys’ Championship runner-up Fraser McKenna (Balmore) and Dunbar’s Danny Kay, who beat both Nicol and James Byrne on his way to reaching the final of this year’s Scottish Amateur at Western Gailes.

Four spots have also been handed to members of the Scottish Boys’ squad – Anthony (Blaney), Greig Marchbank (Dumfries & County), Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) and Ewan Scott (St Andrews).

“It’s almost an entirely different group of players we have this year as a few have turned professional,” said Steve Paulding, the SGU’s performance manager.

“The warm weather training programme builds on the success of last year and provides an opportunity for the players to work on fitness and technical aspects of their game for an extended period.”

The squad’s trip to Abu Dhabi was welcomed by First Minister Alex Salmond as he arrived there yesterday on a business trip to the Gulf. “This is another example of how we are strengthening ties between Scotland and the UAE. Exporting our rich heritage of golf to those parts of the world where interest in the sport will certainly generate valuable golf and tourism links between us,” said Salmond. “I look forward to watching our relationship grow.”

SQUAD

Anthony Blaney (Liberton)

Scott Crichton (Aberdour)

Daniel Kay (Dunbar)

Greig Marchbank (Dumfries & County)

Fraser McKenna (Balmore)

Conor O’Neil (Pollok)

Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie)

Ewan Scott (St Andrews)

Paul Shields (Kirkhill)

Brian Soutar (Leven GS)