Amateur quartet chase Nations Cup glory

FIRST it was the United Arab Emirates, then South Africa. Now four of Scotland's leading amateur golfers are out in Spain hoping to give their hopes of playing in this year's Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen a major boost, writes Martin Dempster.

The quartet, headed by Scottish and South African amateur champion Michael Stewart, are at Sotogrande for the European Nations Cup, which starts today at Copa Real Club de Golf.

Troon Welbeck's Stewart is joined by fellow Walker Cup squad players Ross Kellett (Colville Park) and Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh) in an event that was formerly known as the Sherry Cup. Peterhead's Philip McLean is the fourth man in a strong-looking line-up.

"The players have had fantastic preparation for the season ahead with the training in the United Arab Emirates followed by the competitive trip to South Africa and they're looking forward to competing in this week's event," said national coach Ian Rae.

"The victories by both Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird have been a great boost for Scottish golf and our amateur players have also enjoyed success this season, so we go into this event in a very positive frame of mind. All four boys are playing well."

Scotland won the event in 2008 with a team comprised of Wallace Booth, Scott Henry, Callum Macaulay and Keir McNicoll, but England have been the victors for the last two years.

France, the reigning world champions, will also start among the favourites in an event over 72 holes with the best three cards counting towards the team title in each round.

Hazlehead's David Law, who won the Northern Amateur Open on the trip to South Africa, is in action closer to home this weekend.

The double Scottish champion in 2009 heads the field for the Scottish Champion of Champions at Leven, where he'll be joined by Jordan Findlay, Scott Gibson, Paul Shields, Greg Paterson and James White, the remaining members of the squad from South Africa.

The field in the kingdom of Fife also includes Scott Larkin, who won the Gold Medal at Leven, and has an outside chance of making a Walker Cup appearance on his home course in September.