Whitnell delighted with Walker Cup call-up (From Gazette)

Whitnell delighted with Walker Cup call-up

9:48am Wednesday 5th August 2009 in Golf news By Simon Spurgeon

The red-hot form of Tiptree golfing ace Dale Whitnell has been recognised with a place in the Walker Cup squad to face America next month.

The 20-year-old Five Lakes Golf Club member has had a tremendous year, but he admitted to being ‘over the moon’ at getting the call to confirm his place.

He said: “I’m very chuffed.

“I was hoping I would get in, but I was pleased to get the call because you never know.

“I was over the moon when I found out.”

Whitnell is sitting at the summit of the English Golf Union’s 2009 Order of Merit by a sizeable margin after a stunning run of successes this year and the Walker Cup selectors have taken this into account when naming their squad.

Whitnell retained the Tillman Trophy last month to maintain his Order of Merit lead and he has had a run of four successive top four finishes this summer at some of the biggest tournaments in the English amateur golfing calender, including the Lytham Trophy and the Brabazon Trophy.

He also helped steer England to a win against Australia in June and was named the Colchester Male Sports Personality of the Year in January.

The Walker Cup team will now be heading out to Valderrama in Spain for a get together ahead of the tournament and they will also be going to Buckingham Palace at the start of September to meet the Queen before flying out to America.

This year’s Walker Cup will be held at Merion Golf Club in Philadelphia on September 12 and 13 and playing in it is one of the pinnacles for an amateur golfer.

It is the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup, with the British and Irish team facing their American counterparts and they will be trying to regain the trophy that last resided on this side of the Atlantic after the 2003 meeting.

Whitnell added: “I’m just looking forward to playing now.

“It is on the telly and we will be in front of about 25,000 to 30,000 people on the course.

“I’m pleased it is in America as it will be an amazing experience.”

Whitnell has a busy timetable ahead of the Cup, though, and is currently in action at the North of England Youth Championships in Middlesbrough.

After coming back from Valderrama, he will be at the European Amateur Open and then represent England in the home internationals at Hillside.