England 2021 call-up for Rotherham Golf Club's Ben Schmidt

TOP prospect Ben Schmidt has been named in England Golf's men's squad for the 2021 season.

The 18-year-old from Rotherham Golf Club had a stunning 2019 before the pandemic hit, becoming only the fourth player in history to win both the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Brabazon Trophy) and its boys’ equivalent, the Carris Trophy, in the same year.

He also finished 15 shots clear of the rest of the field in the amateur game's “unofficial major”, the Justin Rose Junior Golf Championship. 

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After Covid-19 restrictions disrupted the 2020 campaign, it is hoped that public health concerns will ease to allow Schmidt, who retains his place from the 2020 selection, and his team-mates to once again compete in European team events and Home Internationals.

England won the Home Internationals when last staged at Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland in 2019 and are aiming to defend the crown at Royal Dornoch in Scotland from April 14-16.

The European Men's Team Championship is planned for July 6-10 at the Vasatorps club in Sweden.

Schmidt, who has also honed his game at Waterfront Golf Club, and a clutch of other 2021 squad players were recently named in the initial Great Britain and Ireland pool for the Walker Cup match against the USA in Seminole, Florida, in May.

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Gareth Jenkins, talent development and Men's Squad manager at England Golf said: "We have been able to select two very talented and strong men's and men's A squads for 2021.

"It was difficult to narrow it down from a wider pool of extremely gifted golfers.

"The engagement from all the players in 2020 was fantastic despite the many difficulties that we all faced as events were cancelled, postponed or re-scheduled.

"Hopefully, restrictions will ease in the months ahead to allow for more tournament play in 2021.

"We will continue to plan regular coaching sessions for the players on top of any championships and I look forward to watching them all develop as the year goes on."

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