Criteria for selection for County Elite Squads and County Teams

“Why is my son always overlooked for selection to the county squad when he is highly ranked in the county Order of Merit?” This is just one of the many questions asked of junior organisers and county team managers, or more likely, not asked but nevertheless worrying a number of parents and players. I am certainly aware of a need to attempt an explanation of our thinking and the criteria used in selection.

Let me start by explaining the current squad system. The word “current” is important here because no system is permanent and the make-up of our Surrey Squads has changed a number of times in recent years. We have arrived at a formula that works and provides a good platform for both the continuous development of talent and achieving success at the highest level in county golf.

At the top we have our Tournament Squad. As a county we have an opportunity each year to take on the other 31 counties in English golf in an attempt to become National County Champions. To make the final four we have to qualify by beating the other 10 counties in the SE region in a one day 36 hole event with 5 out of 6 scores counting in each round. This event is, therefore, considered the most important event we play. Of course should we make the final that takes on another dimension but it could not happen without success in the qualifier. The Tournament Squad is selected for one purpose only and that is to prepare our best players for the qualifying event. It stands to reason that any player unlikely to be considered for a place in our 6-man team, really ought not to be included in the squad.

The second tier is the Development Squad and provides both a proving ground for future Tournament Squad players and a nucleus of our increasingly important u16 squad. With the focus being on u16 players we are not inclined to select players over 16 unless they are considered likely Tournament Squad material in their last year and that would be unusual.

The third tier and by no means any less important is our u14 squad. No explanation is necessary as this is simply the best players at u14 in that year.

Selection to these squads is an evolving process and in order to put this in perspective it is appropriate to look at the squads from the bottom up and look at the u14s first and the main areas of focus.

Under 14 selection:

• Players first come to our notice through their performances on the Rookie Tour which was developed and is run by our u14 Manager Mark Packer. Mark is in the ideal position to evaluate the performances and potential of these players.
• U14s also have opportunities to shine and come to our notice via the Rookie League.
• Surrey Futures coaching provides a further platform for these players and we have plans to structure this coaching to allow for easier identification of the more talented players. The nomination process has a key part to play in that it is often the first notice we have of a player.
• We take most notice of performances in Surrey Championships and in this category we have the Paul Casey Trophy for u12s, the Usmar Salver for u13s and the Olga Mills Trophy for u14s. (these last 2 are played on the same day and younger boys may win both).
• We have county matches at both u13 and u14 and boys will be selected for these matches on the basis of their showing in all of the above areas. Once they have played in these matches we have a much greater idea of their ability and potential.

Taking all of these into account places us in a fairly good position to identify and select the best u14s for our squad.

Development Squad selection:

• Many of the better under 16s will have progressed through u14 squads and will already have played representative county golf.
• Surrey Futures has recently identified a number of players of potential and a good number have gone on to play county golf this year.
• Particular attention is given to performances in the Surrey Championships from Olga Mills Trophy at u14 to the James Heath Trophy at u15 and Stevens Cup at u16.
• Performances in Junior Open events are noted but not necessarily given much weight unless there is a certain consistency of performance and quality of field.
• Regional and National events** are important for all our better players as these are the main selection platforms for National teams and a good showing will always be taken into account by our county selectors.
• We have a strong match programme run by Alan Page our u16 Manager and performances in team events are closely monitored.

Once again our coaching and playing programmes provide ample opportunities for under 16 players to prove their ability and for the coaches and managers to select the right boys for our squad.

Tournament Squad selection:

• Only players in contention for our 6-man qualifying team will be selected.
• There is no age barrier to selection (u18).
• Players with no prior county experience are able to break into this squad.
• Participation in the previous squads is no guarantee of selection.
• Outstanding performances in County, Regional and National events will almost be a pre-requisite to selection.

We are dealing with the cream of our junior golfers and there can be no room for sentiment, nor any chance taken with players who are not up to scratch.

In all categories there are likely to be borderline cases and we will often start off with a slightly larger than optimum squad to enable us to fully assess these players in the squad environment. We will make up our minds after a session or two and the players will be informed of our decision and given feedback should the decision go against them. Nothing is permanent and we will continue to monitor progress so that a player could well play his way back into a squad. At the same time it is made clear to all squad members that poor performance or poor discipline will lead to their removal from the squad. There is always the prospect that late developers or someone newly arrived on the scene will not be known to county managers and we encourage junior organisers to keep in touch and update us whenever appropriate.

**

Important Regional events include:

South of England Boys

SE Boys Junior Championship

Important National events include:

Reid Trophy u14

Douglas Johns Trophy u15

McGregor Trophy u16

NE Boys u16

McEvoy Trophy u18

Carris Trophy u18

Henry Cooper Trophy u18

Fairhaven Trophy u18

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copy of the above in Word in case you would like to print it off for your Junior notice board

 20/99