Hey golf enthusiasts! England Golf has just announced its Boys’ and Girls’ Squads for the upcoming 2023/24 season, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! A total of 12 talented players have been selected based on their outstanding performances over the past year. What’s even more exciting is that all six players in the Boys’ Squad and five players in the Girls’ Squad are new faces, bringing fresh energy and talent to the teams.
These exceptional young golfers will receive top-notch training and support from the England Golf coaching team. They will also have the opportunity to showcase their skills in competitive tournaments early next year. It’s a fantastic opportunity for these rising stars to further develop their game and make a name for themselves in the golfing world.
Let’s take a closer look at the Girls’ Squad. We have Sadie Adams, a 16-year-old from Lancashire’s Royal Birkdale GC, who has impressed with top-10 finishes at the Scottish Girls’ Open Championship and the R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship. Charlotte Naughton, a 15-year-old from Ponteland GC in Northumberland, recently secured victory at the North of England U16 Girls tournament. Annabel Peaford, a 14-year-old from Walton Heath GC in Surrey, showed her skills by finishing second at the North of England U16 Girls event. Matilde Santilli, a 16-year-old from Foxhills GC in Surrey, claimed victory at the Northampton Tigress tournament. And let’s not forget about Chloe Tarbard, a 16-year-old from Royal Norwich GC in Norfolk, who emerged victorious at the English U16 Girls competition.
Amelia Wan, a 16-year-old from Sherwood Forest GC in Nottinghamshire, deserves a special mention as she has been named in the Girls’ Squad for the third consecutive season. Her impressive performances include a runner-up finish at the Northampton Tigress tournament, a fourth-place finish at the Fairhaven Trophies (Girls), and a seventh-place finish at the English Girls’ Open Stroke Play Championship. Amelia also represented England at the European Team Championship and the England v Spain match.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the Boys’ Squad. Oliver Baker, a 17-year-old from Colchester GC in Essex, has had an incredible year, including a second-place finish at the Lagonda Trophy and a recent win at an England Golf Boys’ Weekend. Ben Bolton, a 16-year-old from Enville GC in Staffordshire, has been on fire with a remarkable win at the European Young Masters in Slovakia and victories at the Faldo Series England (Midlands) and Edge Golf Championships. Daniel Hayes, a 16-year-old from Bramhall GC in Cheshire, has consistently performed well with five top-ten finishes this year, including a second-place finish at the English U18 Championship. Monty Holcombe, a 16-year-old from Walton Heath GC in Surrey, led Surrey to victory in the Boys’ County Finals and achieved top-five finishes at the Faldo Series England (South) and the English U18 Championship. Drew Sykes, a 17-year-old from Golf at Goodwood in Sussex, has impressed with four top-five finishes and represented England Boys in the Home Internationals. Lastly, we have Oliver Toyer, a 16-year-old from St Neots GC in Cambridgeshire, who secured a win at the Cambridgeshire Junior Championship.
We can’t wait to see these talented golfers in action and witness their growth throughout the season. They will have access to world-class coaches and support from various experts in the field. The national girls’ and boys’ programs aim to build, challenge, and progress the players’ development, both on and off the course.
Congratulations to all the new squad members! We wish them the best of luck in their upcoming training sessions and tournaments. Stay tuned for more updates on their incredible journey!