Wales keep up with Jones for Home Internationals

New Welsh Amateur champion Alastair Jones will spearhead the Wales team at the Home Internationals to be held in Ashburnham later in the month.

Jones beat Wales colleague Oliver Farr 3 and 1 in the final at Tenby, so it will only be a few miles along the West Wales coast to play at the Burry Port course against England, Scotland and Ireland.

Radyr's Jones, the son of former Radio Five commentator Ron, is in Texas State University in America on a golf scholarship and was part of the smaller Wales team which qualified in fifth place at the European Amateur Team Championships.

Five of that team are also in the Home Internationals side, including Wales's youngest ever international Rhys Pugh, along with Rhys Enoch and James Frazer, with Ben Westgate unavailable because of business commitments.

Wenvoe Castle's Nick James steps up after reaching the semi-finals of the Welsh Amateur, along with fellow losing semi-finalist Richard James of Aberystwyth.

Fulford Heath's Chris Nugent and Jonathan Bale of Royal Porthcawl are also in the Home Internationals team after losing in the quarter-finals in Tenby to Richard James and Farr respectively.

Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards makes a return to international action as one of the five players added to the European squad.

“Congratulations to Alastair for his fine win in Tenby, he played really well all week and it was good to see two of our top players going head to head in the final,” said Edwards, also the Golf Union of Wales Director of Player Development and Coaching.

“Our players did well to qualify in fifth place to reach the top flight of teams in the European Team Championships, but then did not perform at their best in the matchplay stages.

“We will have to build on that to do well in the Home Internationals against some very strong teams.  England are looking particularly strong and that will inspire us.

“This is the sort of event where players can make a name for themselves with the Walker Cup around the corner.  It is also selection for the St Andrews Trophy during the Home Internationals, so that will be an extra incentive.