Twelve of English golf’s brightest, emerging talents have been selected to take on Ireland in an Under 16 challenge match next month at Royal Birkdale.

The traditional match returns to the calendar on 8/9 October after a two-year absence due to Covid restrictions and is eagerly anticipated, not least because of the venue.

Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport is consistently rated one of the world’s top courses.

The Lancashire links has played host to the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, English Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championship and Women’s British Open over the years as well as The Open Championship on 10 occasions.

The last time the England v Ireland junior fixture took place was in 2019 when the Irish took the spoils at Hunstanton GC with a 16.5-13.5 victory.

The England team for this year’s match features six boys and six girls and includes four members of the victorious Boys/Girls’ squad that won the 2022 Home Internationals Series in Scotland.

England U16 team

Isla McDonald O’Brien – Shrewsbury GC, Shropshire
Nellie Ong – Eaton GC, Norfolk
Chloe Tarbard – Royal Norwich GC, Norfolk
Matilde Santilli – Foxhills GC, Surrey
Amelia Wan – Sherwood Forest GC, Nottinghamshire
Imogen Williamson – Delamere Forest GC, Cheshire

Ben Bolton - Enville GC, Staffordshire
James Brash - Foxhills GC, Surrey
Charlie Croker - Thorndon Park GC, Essex
Monty Holcombe - Walton Heath GC, Surrey
Kris Kim - Walton Heath GC, Surrey
Drew Sykes - Golf at Goodwood, Sussex