It’s understood GB & I Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards is far from pleased with a decision by the Golfing Union of Ireland not to nominate four players for this week’s prestigious Links Trophy at St. Andrews.
Portstewart’s Paul Culter is the only Irish amateur competing over the Old and New Courses at the Home of Golf.
GB & I Captain Nigel Edwards wonders why Golfing Union of Ireland decline to send players to prestigious Links Trophy at St. Andrews.
It’s always been customary for the GUI to choose four players to compete but this year they have surprised Links Trophy organisers by failing to take up the option, and due to the East of Ireland also taking place at Baltray.
“We have been in constant contact with the GUI but they just were not interested in sending any representatives,” a Links Trust spokesperson told www.golfbytourmiss.com
“We understand the East of Ireland is also taking place this week but then the Links Trophy carries more amateur world ranking points and is a little more prestigious in stature.
“Also Nigel Edwards, the GB & I Walker Cup captain is present all week, and it’s known he’s not pleased with the GUI decision.
“You would think that if a player is to impress Nigel for late selection then he would be here this week at St. Andrews, and teeing up in a world class field, rather than in the East of Ireland.
“So it’s a very strange decision on the part of the GUI.”
Cutler will attempting to go one better than Rory McIlroy this week at the Home of Golf.
The Links Trophy was one of few major amateur titles to escape McIlroy, and it’s meant Cutler forgoing contesting the East of Ireland title.
Last fortnight, Cutler became the first player since McIlroy to capture both the Irish Close and West of Ireland titles after McIlroy managed the same feat in 2005.
Cutler’s success at Rosses Point and at Shannon has all but cemented his place in September’s GB & I Walker Cup side.
“It’s been great to get my name on the same trophies that Rory’s won but I’m looking forward to hopefully going one up on him this week,” said Cutler today (THU) after playing the Old Course for the very first time.
“It’s sad not to be playing East of Ireland but to be here in St. Andrews at the Home of Golf is just so special and so historic.”
