England Golf has announced the six-player squad that will be representing the country at the Octagonal Match at Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club in Spain from 22-25 January. The team includes Eliot Baker, Ben Bolton, Daniel Hayes, Tom Osborne, Dylan Shaw-Radford, and Charlie Rusbridge. The tournament is a match play event with a round-robin format and two groups of four teams. Each team will play one match per day, with the top team from each group competing for the championship on the final day. England has been successful in this tournament in the past, having won it six times since its inception in 2001.
Men’s Performance Manager Ben Gorvett expressed his excitement for the upcoming tournament, stating that it will be a competitive week with talented players from around Europe. He believes that the match play format will test the players and serve as a great way to kickstart the year, which will also include other major events such as the World Amateur Team Championship and the Walker Cup.
The team is made up of talented and accomplished players who have shown their skills in various competitions. Eliot Baker, 22, from Tiverton, Devon, has won multiple championships and top finishes. Ben Bolton, 17, from Enville, Staffordshire, has also achieved success in various national and international competitions, including winning the Spanish Boys’ Amateur Championship.
Daniel Hayes, 18, from Bramhall, Cheshire, has shown his talent by winning the 2024 Carris Trophy and finishing tied-2nd in the English U18 Amateur Championship. Tom Osborne, 22, from Lindrick, Yorkshire, has had success in national and county-level competitions, including representing England at the Women’s & Men’s Home Internationals.
Dylan Shaw-Radford, 19, from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, has achieved success in various international events, including representing England in the European Team Championship and Women’s & Men’s Home Internationals. Lastly, Charlie Rusbridge, 16, from Colne Valley, Essex, has won multiple championships and helped Essex win the 2024 Men’s County Finals.
The England team will face tough competition at the Octagonal Match, with players from other European nations vying for the championship title. The tournament will provide a great opportunity for the players to showcase their skills and represent their country on an international stage.
As the first team event of the year for England, the Octagonal Match will set the tone for the upcoming season and provide valuable experience for the players as they prepare for other major events in 2025. The match play format will test the players’ skills and resilience, and the team will be looking to build on their past success in the tournament to secure another victory for England.
