Rachel Gourley and Maggie Whitehead to make England women’s team debuts

Arcot Hall’s Rachel Gourley and Close House’s Maggie Whitehead will make the step up to the England women’s team for the Home Internationals at Ballyliffin Golf Club.

The event, which takes place August 3-5, will see England’s women defend the title against Scotland, Wales and hosts Ireland over three days of matches with each match consisting of three morning foursomes and six afternoon singles.

A seven-strong team has been selected for the championship which, for the first time, will be staged at the same venue and at the same time as the men’s event. In addition to the women’s title, the men and the women will come together to compete in a joint championship run by The R&A.

Also selected for the team are: Rebecca Earl (Bishops Stortford), Lucy Jamieson (Heswall), Olivia Lee (Gerrards Cross), Hannah Screen (Berkhamsted) and Lottie Woad (Farnham).

Rachel, Maggie, Olivia and Lottie all make the step up to the women’s event having won the Home Internationals with the girls’ squad last year.