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Record Field For St. Andrews Links Trophy Contact Niall Flanagan (April 15, 2003) - Players from 16 countries make up the truly international field that will be competing for the St Andrews Links Trophy over the Old and New Courses from 23rd to 25th May. And for the first time, a handicap of better than +1.4 was required in order to be one of the 132 players who will be challenging for the coveted silverware. "We are delighted with the entry and are on-target with our aim of making our tournament No. 1 in the world, " said Niall Flanagan, Golf Services Manager of St Andrews Links. "Our decision to extend the trophy to three days has gone down well with the competitors and that has been reflected in the interest from top players around the world." South Africa lead the overseas entry with nine players including Joshua Cunliffe and Albert Kruger, both off +4 handicaps while six players from the USA, four from Italy and three from New Zealand underline the popularity of Europe's top amateur stroke play event. Walker Cup selection is very much in the minds of players from the four Home Nations and 20 of the GB&I Elite Squad will be looking for a good performance to boost their chance of selection for the match against the USA in September. Philip Rowe and Nigel Edwards have already made that step - Rowe in the 1999 match at Nairn and Welshman Edwards in the side that defeated the USA at Ocean Forest two years later. Both players, defending champion Simon Mackenzie and the strongest field yet assembled will play one round over the New Course on Friday 23rd May, one over the Old Course on Saturday 24th May and the top 40 and ties play a further 36 holes over the Old Course on the Sunday. |