Selectors keep faith with Eggo

ANDY EGGO is in the Guernsey team to face Jersey next month. The Island Champion-ship finalist hit the headlines for unsociable antics recently, but on golfing grounds it was no surprise to see such an experienced and talented player in the Sarnian side for the Ronez Challenge Trophy.

Guernsey Golf Union president Roy Martel said: 'With regard to Andy Eggo, while what happened is entirely a private club matter, the GGU have discussed the situation and have met with Andy.

'The GGU consider that appropriate action has been taken, the matter is now closed and have no further comment to make.'

The surprise selection is junior Sean Mills, although recent form suggests he could fare well at La Moye.

'Sean has reduced his handicap to four and he has shown of late that he is playing very well with rounds of 72 and 74 gross in the Junior Club Cham-pionship,' said Guernsey's non-playing captain Steve Turvey.

'I watched him in the final of the boys' matchplay against Tom Le Huray and both handled themselves very well and it was a high standard of golf. Their course management was excellent.

'Sean was also fourth out of a huge field in the La Moye Salver played earlier this month and he impressed in very difficult conditions. He finished only two shots behind the scratch winner, CI champion Matthew Parkman.'

Island junior champion Le Huray is team reserve for the seniors.

Mills is one of three Guernsey debutants, the others being L'Ancresse team members Mike Hamon and Campbell Hardie.

'Mike has been pushing the selectors for several years,' Turvey said.

'He is a keen competitor and has done extremely well this year when he has got to the semi-final of the Island Championship and won the L'Ancresse Open.

'He has also been impressive in the way he has handled himself in team competitions such as the Hampshire Sevens.'

A Scot and three-handicapper, Hardie has been in the island for a few years now.

'Campbell has had steady medal rounds this year, although nothing spectacular, but the selectors have liked his approach to matchplay, which is, of course, the format of the inter-insular.

'When he has represented L'Ancresse, his temperament in tight matchplay games has been outstanding and his course management excellent.

'To pick a team for the inter-insular, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than just looking at the cards players hand in and that is why we selectors are out in all weathers watching these guys play.'

The three newcomers replace Steve Mahy, Dave Rowlinson and Jack Mitchell from the 2005 team.

The loss of L'Ancresse club champion Mahy is a particular blow.

'Steve has got a family commitment that weekend, which he let me know about quite a while ago. He would have got in the team because he has been a regular for several years, so he has got the experience and he is a scratch handicapper,' said Turvey.

'Dave advised me that he had lost a bit of form and felt he should not be considered, which is very honest of him.

'Jack has played in only two or three competitions this summer and he is going to start playing regularly again over the winter,' added the captain.

History is against Guernsey at La Moye.

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The Sarnians have not won on Jersey's west coast since 1969 and, as Turvey said, 'we will be second favourites of two' this time around.

But the captain hopes that the poor record at the course will take the pressure off his team and help them relax.

Several of the players are also more prepared than on previous visits there after the GGU gave permission for a group of Sarnians to compete in the La Moye Salver.

Usefully for Guernsey, the competition was re-arranged from May to just a couple of weeks ago.

'I think it is a lack of course knowledge and rather than just playing there the day before the inter-insular, I wanted to be able to go down there and get more of an idea of how to get around the course.

'Not all our team could make it, but we took 12 players down there - some of whom made the side, others didn't - and at least now we have got six out of 10 who have played there in the last month.

'Experienced Guernsey players such as Mick Marley, Dave Nicolle and Nigel Vaudin thought it was invaluable because they have now got another feel for the place and have a way to get around the course.

'We want to try and eliminate errors as much as we can. It is important to keep the ball in play and make our opponents win the hole rather than give it to them through mistakes and those who have recently played at La Moye can chat about such things as club selection during the practice rounds, with the others to help us do that.'

The inter-insular takes place on 9 and 10 September.