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- James Ashfield Ensures Welsh Representation On Home Soil In St Andrews Trophy
By Hamish Stuart
Wales international James Ashfield has been selected in the Great Britain and Ireland team to contest the St Andrew’s Trophy on Welsh soil next week.
The biennial match against Continental Europe will take place at Royal Porthcawl on the 25 and 26 of July, with Ashfield hoping to help the home team retain the trophy they won two years ago in Slovakia.
Ashfield has had an excellent season, winning the European Nations Cup and having a string of top performances in other events, including losing in a play-off for the Lytham Trophy after calling a penalty against himself on the 18th hole.
Diolch Ash
After 10+ years of dedication, including 3 as Chair, we bid a fond hwyl fawr to Ash Bradbury. His expertise made us financially resilient, his vision brought a skilled board, and his commitment kept us relevant.
Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Ash! pic.twitter.com/zmXpX9izV7
— Wales Golf | Golff Cymru (@wales_golf) July 11, 2024
He also reached the final of the Blackstar Winter Matchplay Championship at the Vale Resort, as well as being part of a strong home performance at the Welsh Men’s Open Championship with five of the top six being Welsh.
He is no stranger to GB&I selection having played in the Walker Cup against the United States team last year, but he missed out on St Andrews Trophy selection two years ago, making this his first appearance in the event.
Royal Porthcawl was initially due to host the event in 2020 before Covid intervened, and this is part of a run of high-profile events at the links course, with the AIG Women’s Open coming next year.
“This is a well-deserved reward for James, continuing on from last year’s Walker Cup selection and following even better results this season,” said Wales Golf Director of Pathways and Performance, Gareth Jenkins.
“We are all looking forward to hosting the event in Wales and of course it is great we have a Welsh competitor on the team as one of the best amateur golfers in Great Britain and Ireland.
“Royal Porthcawl, despite waiting an extra four years to host this event, will provide an excellent test for the top-class players from GB&I and also from the Continent of Europe.”
