World No 20 spearheads Scotland's European Championship promotion bid in Greece
Scottish amateur round up including Jackson joy in East of Scotland Open and Scottish Seniors’ success for Davidson
Niall Shiels Donegan, the world No 20, will spearhead Scotland’s bid to be back playing in the main European Men’s Amateur Team Championship next year.
After being relegated in 2024, the Scots finished fourth in last year’s Division 2 competition and, as a result of that, will be involved in the same event again on this occasion while England, Ireland and Wales compete for the top title in Estonia.
This year’s bid to secure promotion is at the Costa Navarino Resort in Greece, where California-based Shiels Donegan will be a key man for Scotland. He’s currently playing in the Arnold Palmer Cup at Tralee in Ireland, where two of his compatriots - Connor Graham and George Cannon - are also on duty for an International team.
Graham, the world No 24, was unavailable for selection for the European Team Championship after a hectic schedule, but, on paper, the Scots should still have enough ammunition to get the job done in Greece.
Cannon and his Glenbervie clubmate Ross Laird are in the team, with both having shown glimpses of what they are capable of, notably Cannon’s third-place finish in this year’s Lytham Trophy.
Chris Somers, the Scottish Amateur champion from Murcar Links, has deservedly secured his international debut, with the team being completed by Scottish Boys’ champion Finlay Galloway (St Andrews) and Gullane’s Oli Mukherjee.
Somers is heading to Greece with a spring in his step after producing an eye-catching performance to record a runaway victory in the recent Tennant Cup, hosted by Glasgow Golf Club. He opened with rounds of 73-66 at Gailes Links before signing off with scores of 68-66 at Killermont, finishing on 11 under par and eight shots clear of the field.
Being held at the same time - 7-11 July - at PGA Slieve Russell in Ireland, Scotland will be represented in the European Women’s Team Championship by Sheridan Clancy (Lake Yarrinyup), Rosie Maguire (Pollok), Abigail May (St Regulus), Jade Potter (Craigielaw), Freya Russell (Royal Troon) and Jennifer Saxton (Dunfermline).
Stirling’s Erin Huskie, the Scottish Women’s champion, has been picked for the girls’ event, which is being played in Switzerland, with the boys’ team heading for Spain including Oli Henderson, Stephen Gallacher’s nephew.
Eddie Jackson is also in that side and, hot on the heels of his selection, the Turnhouse player’s younger brother, Georgie, is the newly-crowned East of Scotland Open champion.
Jackson, who is on the golf programme at the University of Stirling, opened with a 65 at Lundin before adding efforts of 69-72-71, with his seven-under total being matched by Gullane’s Archie Cook following scores of 69-71-67-70. Jackson won a sudden-death play-off at the first extra hole.
“He is a super lad who has a tremendous work ethic and desire, which you can’t teach,” said Dean Robertson, the University of Stirling’s head of golf, of Jackson. “There is no doubt this win will give him a huge boost and platform from which to kick on.”
Host club member James White claimed the Fife Putter by finishing fourth at Lundin, while Saxton picked up the Ladies’ Trophy as she produced a superb effort to end up joint-fifth overall.
Meanwhile, Stirling’s Alison Davidson is the new Scottish Senior Women’s Open champion after landing a one-shot win at Duff House Royal. "It means the world to me to win,” admitted Davidson, who won the Scottish Women’s Championship as Alison Rose in 1997. “I've had a few health issues so to come back and win this, I am absolutely delighted."
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