England Golf has named its men’s and women’s overseas squads for 2021. Both groups comprise of players at college in America who remain committed to representing their country.
The four men and nine women selected will have access to support and remote coaching sessions as well as being considered for England team events at home and abroad over the summer months.
Dan Bradbury, Barclay Brown (main image), Angus Flanagan and Joe Pagdin have been chosen to represent the men, while Jess Baker, Rosie Belsham (main image), Annabell Fuller, Ellie Gower, Charlotte Heath, Caley McGinty, Mimi Rhodes, Hannah Screen and Amelia Williamson are included in the women’s squad.
Stephen Burnett, men’s performance manager, said: “First and foremost, I’m delighted England Golf has made the decision to support players that have chosen to stay in education. The competitive environment the NCAA provides, often coupled with a climate conducive to year-round practice and play, makes US college golf an attractive option for aspiring international amateur players.
“The tournament wins to date of our US-based players, and the World Amateur Golf Rankings they have attained, speak for themselves. All of them are destined to play their part in our England teams this year as we push on for further unparalleled success in the international amateur game.”
Jennifer Henderson, assistant women’s performance manager, added: “With many young female golfers from the England Golf talent pathway exploring the opportunity of US college scholarships, I’m delighted that we are once again able to support an overseas women’s squad. This exceptionally talented group of players has a history of successful performances. We’re excited to see what this season has in store for them.
“The national women’s programme features strong players based on both sides of the Atlantic and means our major women’s team selections are likely to be keenly contested. We very much have our sights on securing consecutive Home International titles and challenging for a medal at the European Ladies’ Team Championship at Royal County Down.”
Two of the men’s squad, Barclay Brown and Angus Flanagan, have recently been named in the GB&I Walker Cup team for the match with the USA in May.
Brown, from Yorkshire, attends Stanford University and earlier this month won his first college event at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic. Flanagan studies at the University of Minnesota and two of his three victories on the college circuit earned the Surrey golfer invitations to the 2020 3M Open and 2021 Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour.
Dan Bradbury is a student at Lincoln Memorial and has a prolific record in college events. The Wakefield-born player has now won eight times on his college’s circuit, while Joe Pagdin is a key member of the University of Florida’s golf team and the former England boys’ squad player is ranked inside the top 30 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
For the women, Annabell Fuller has been in fine form for the University of Florida. The reigning English Women’s Stroke Play champion recently finished in a tie for 22nd at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Caley McGinty and Mimi Rhodes have also been in the winner’s circle recently. McGinty, from Gloucestershire, won the Clemson Invitational representing Kent State University. Rhodes, from Somerset and studying at Wake Forest University, tasted victory in last week’s Cavalier Match Play event.
University of Oklahoma student Screen has posted some fine scores and bagged a hole-in-one helping her team to a top ten finish at the Clover Cup last month.
Amelia Williamson and former Australian Women’s Amateur champion Charlotte Heath have played key roles in a successful season for the Florida State University women’s team – including victory in last month’s Pinetree Collegiate.
Rosie Belsham starred as Baylor University Women’s Golf team claimed the number one spot in the USA while Ellie Gower continues to show good form in her second year at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Northumberland’s Jess Baker has helped the University of Central Florida rise the rankings and recently claimed team victory at the Brickyard Invitational.
Men’s Overseas Squad
Dan Bradbury – Lincoln Memorial University
Barclay Brown – Stanford University
Angus Flanagan – University of Minnesota
Joe Pagdin – University of Florida
Women’s Overseas Squad
Jess Baker – University of Central Florida
Rosie Belsham – Baylor University
Annabell Fuller – University of Florida
Ellie Gower – University of Colorado Boulder
Charlotte Heath – Florida State University
Caley McGinty – Kent State University
Mimi Rhodes – Wake Forest University
Hannah Screen – University of Oklahoma
Amelia Williamson – Florida State University