Date: April 24, 2008
Author:

Review adds new pool of talent to National Squad

The AIS/Golf Australia National Squad has been reviewed in the wake of the Karrie Webb Series, National Selection Trial results and the Srixon Australian Amateur Championships with several changes made to the composition of the group, including the addition of eight new members. The new members, four men and four women, join the squad following consistent form and impressive results over the past six months. Players selected in the AIS/Golf Australian National Squad are: Men: Scott Arnold (NSW/NSWIS), Rohan Blizard (NSW), Michael Foster (WA), Matt Griffin (Vic/VIS), Matt Jager (WA), Jason Scrivener (WA), Grant Scott (NSW), Brendan Smith (NSW), Tim Stewart (NSW), Josh Younger (Vic/VIS) Women: Julia Boland (NSW), Clare Choi (Vic), Rebecca Flood (NSW/NSWIS), Whitney Hillier (WA), Stacey Keating (Vic), Stephanie Na (SA), Kristie Smith (WA), Alison Whitaker (Vic/US college) These players, by way of inclusion in the National Squad will also become members of the AIS Golf Programme. As Scott Arnold, Clare Choi, Rebecca Flood, Matt Griffin and Josh Younger are already members of their respective state institutes of sport, they will be dual branded and receive support through both their state institute and the AIS. The majority of the original squad will continue alongside the injection of new talent which includes Stacey Keating, runner-up at the recent Srixon Women&aposs Australian Amateur and Julia Boland, winner of the Lake Macquarie Amateur and Women&aposs Riversdale Cup. Also included is former Australian Boys&apos Amateur Champion Jason Scrivener, Dunes Medal winner Clare Choi, Australian representative Matt Jager as well as the New South Wales trio of Grant Scott, Brendan Smith and Rebecca Flood. Peter Knight, Director of Elite Development, Golf Australia said, “The eight new members are thoroughly deserving of their place in the squad. Golf Australia s role, along with the AIS and the players home institutes is to offer the resources for these players to support the hard work they do in practice.”