Turner makes the 18-man Great Britain golfing squad

Ashton Turner in action on his way to victory in the Darwen Salver. PHOTO: Leaderboard Photography EMN-151223-105808002

Turner has been given extra motivation for the forthcoming season, if any were needed, with nine places up for grabs in the final team to take on the Continent of Europe.

The teams will play for the St Andrews Trophy, a biennial match at Prince’s Golf Club, in Kent, on Wednesday and Thursday, July 20 and 21.

Turner, who recently turned 20, is one of five Englishmen named in the squad alongside Jamie Bower, who has had early season success in South Africa, winning the Gauteng North Open and the Southern Cape Open. “It’s an honour to be named in the starting squad for the St Andrews Trophy,” he said. “But obviously that is only the start of the job.

“There’s a long season ahead which I’m looking forward to where I need to earn my place in the final team.

“Hopefully I will continue to have a successful season and it will be a great privilege and a big highlight in my golfing life to represent GB&I in such a prestigious event.”

The Alford golfer (pictured) had a good winter on the Australian Tour with the England senior men’s squad, including two top 20 finishes among illustrious international amateur company.

He also performed superbly to land a top 10 finish at the European Nations Cup, while representing England, in Spain, in February.

The St Andrews Trophy has been played alternately on British/Irish and mainland European courses since 1956. Great Britain and Ireland has dominated the fixture with 25 wins to Europe’s five, but the Continental side has enjoyed recent success in 2010 and 2012.