England Golf names strong boys’ squad for 2022 season

Tuesday, 5 October 2021 16:17

Hugh Adams (foreground) and Josh Berry are named in the England boys’ squad for 2022

England Golf has retained four members from this year’s team and included four new call-ups in a strong boys’ squad named today for the 2022 season.

Josh Berry, Josh Hill, Frank Kennedy and Harley Smith all enjoyed excellent seasons in 2021 and return to form an experienced spine for the 2022 selection.

Berry enjoyed a 100% record in singles and foursomes as England’s juniors team won the Home Internationals, while Kennedy became the youngest Englishman to make the cut at a European Tour event when he made his debut at the Hero Open aged just 15.

Hill represented both the England boys’ and men’s squads at Home Internationals as well as playing for GB&I at the Jacques Leglise Trophy.

Smith, meanwhile, followed Justin Rose into the record books by becoming only the second golfer to win both the McGregor and Carris trophies in the same season.

The arrival of fresh talent in the shape of Hugh Adams, Seb Cave, Sam Easterbrook and Tyler Weaver adds a new dynamic to the squad.

Adams and Weaver played key roles in leading the England under 16 team to a recent comprehensive 18-2 win over Wales.

Easterbrook won the Scottish Boys’ Under 16 Championship in July – pipping new England team-mate Berry to the title.

Cave’s progress was confirmed when he was crowned Warwickshire Men’s County champion two years after winning the boys’ title and later played a part in helping a combined England boys’/girls’ squad claim the Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa in August.

The eight boys will push each other in the quest to retain the Home Internationals title as well as striving for success on the European and world stage in 2022.

For the four newcomers, the thrill of pulling on the England kit to represent their country remains an exciting prospect.

“It means a lot because of all the hard work I’ve put in,” confirmed Adams.

“Earning a call up has been one of the driving factors behind all the efforts I’ve made in the last couple of years to improve my game”.

Competing in team events in the coming year appeals to Cave.

He said: “The opportunities we get in the next year – COVID permitting – are really exciting and hopefully we can make the most of them.”

For Easterbrook, there is now a responsibility to kick on and represent his country in a winning way.

He added: “After being called up you realise you’re now in an elite squad and you have to perform. There’s a real sense of pride when you get your kit and you pull on that England shirt for the first time.”

Weaver hopes that the national coaching environment helps him continue to make progress in his amateur career.

He said: “I’m really excited about what’s to come and hopefully I can take the next step and improve my golf game as well.”

Boys’ squad manager Stephen Burnett commented: “There’s a fresh look to the squad for 2022 and we remain hopeful we can get back to a full schedule of team and individual championships after two Covid-19 affected seasons.

“The pinnacle will be the European Team Championships at Golf Club St Leon Rot in Germany and we’ll be looking to defend the Home Internationals title in August.”

England Boys’ Squad 2022