SGU announces changes to National Squad structure

The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) has announced a new look to their National Squad Structure. Under this new structure, the National Squad will be expanded, offering more players the opportunity to play in an attempt to improve Scotland's performance on the world stage.

This new approach will see four National Squads in place for the 2013 season, with both the men's and boys' groups being split into two tiers apiece. This is to allow more players the opportunity to access support appropriate to their performance level and their ability to commit to the program.

The men's groups is divided between the Men's Performance and Men's Transitional groups, while the boys' tiers feature a Performance Squad and a Developmental Squad.

Featuring six players, the Men's Performance squad will receive an enhanced tailored program of support, including additional winter training and competition opportunities.

A total of 18 players will be included in the Transitional Squad, six of whom are based at collages in the United States. Full lists can be seen below.

"All the players in the National Squads deserve their place thanks to their progression and performances to date," said Steve Paulding, manager of Scottish Golf Performance.

"What I now require from each of them is more hard work and commitment.

"Most people would say you can't afford to run big squads, because if you run big squads you've got to dilute what you do.

"But it's been much harder in the sport of golf to predict who will perform going forward. When we looked at the previous year's results, when we picked relatively small squads based on the previous year, they've not gone on to succeed at the next level."

Paulding stated that his rational behind the restructure was to find the best players with the chances of making it to the top of the sport as well as the need to prepare squads of players capable of competing in the next World Amateur Team Championship in Japan in 2014 and then the 2016 Championship in Mexico.

Further changes have also been made to the SGU Men's Order of Merit to be put in place for next season. A revised ranking system was introduced in 2012 designed to address shortcomings of previous methodology, but a recent review found the system flawed.

The SGU will continue to use the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) for the tallying of points at individual stroke play events, but a new bonus points system will also be adopted, dependent on position and category of event. For match play events, WAGR points will not be used and only specific match play Order of Merit points will be allocated.

SCOTLAND MEN'S SQUADS 2012 - 13   Men's Performance Squad 2012-13   Ross Bell (Downfield), 24 Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm), 31 Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), 19 Fraser McKenna (Balmore), 21 Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), 24 James White (Lundin), 24   Transitional Squad 2012-13   Lawrence Allan (Alva)*, 18 Sam Binning (Old Ranfury), 22 Anthony Blaney (Liberton), 18 Scott Borrowman (Dollar), 25 Scott Crichton (Aberdour), 24 Michael Daily (Erskine), 23 Adam Dunton (McDonald), 22 Grant Forrest (Craigielaw)*, 19 Scott Gibson (Southerness)*, 20 Graham Gordon (Newmachar), 32 Craig Howie (Peebles), 18 Liam Johnston (Dumfries & County)*, 19 Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie), 18 Fraser Moore (Glenbervie), 22 Conor O'Neil (Pollok), 20 James Ross (Royal Burgess)*, 22 Jamie Savage (Cawder), 18 Daniel Young (Craigie Hill)*, 21   * Denotes currently or soon to be based at a USA university or college   SCOTLAND BOYS SQUADS 2012 - 13   Boys' Performance Squad 2012-13   George Burns (Williamwood) Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) Ewan Scott (St Andrews) Conor Syme (Dumfries & County) Alan Waugh (Cowglen)   Boys' Development Squad 2012-13   Euan Bowden (Tantallon) Andrew Burgess (The Nairn) Connar Cook (Caird Park) Greg Forrester (Lundin) Calum Hill (Tantallon) Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) Cameron Kirkwood (Bearsden) Niall McMullen (Lundin) Jake Scott (Buckpool) Euan Walker (Kilmarnock (Barassie) Alexander Wilson (The Renaissance)