England's Dougherty Backs Faldo

Nick Faldo has received a resounding vote of confidence from one of Europe's top junior golfers as he plays in the US Open at Pebble Beach. The 42-year-old winner of six major championships recently came under fire in European captain Mark James' book about last year's Ryder Cup match, Into the Bear Pit.

James, who clashed with Faldo before finalising his team selection, revealed that a 'good luck' message from the three times Open and Masters champion was chucked in a bin before the meeting with the Americans in Boston.

But in an astonishingly forthright and brave declaration of support for Faldo, England boys captain Nick Dougherty has published an open letter, entitled 'To whom it may concern', condemning James' attack.

"I was horrified to read the comments about how Nick Faldo tried to 'undermine Europe's bid to win the Ryder Cup' and how Europe don't want a captain like Nick Faldo because he doesn't get on with, and encourage, other players," wrote the 18-year-old from Yorkshire.

Dougherty went on to praise the Faldo Junior Series, a mini-tour set up by the former world No 1 to develop young talent throughout the British Isles.

"I have been associated with the Faldo Junior Series and Nick personally for three years. Nick has put a lot of time, money and effort into developing junior golfers in the hope of produce tomorrow's European Ryder Cup players. Which other tour pros are doing this?

"I remember at Loch Lomond in 1998, Nick spent six hours coaching the finalists in pouring down rain, trying to help improve Britians' hopefuls and future Ryder Cup stars. If that isn't trying to develop and build a strong European team for the future, then I don't know what is. The Faldo Junior Series has been running for three years now, and we play the best courses in Britain at the highest level with top quality professional coaching. This is how Nick Faldo helps Europe's cause - by doing something and not just talking about it.

"Nick Faldo would be a fantastic Ryder Cup captain because he has so much experience, enthusiastic and determination. He loves helping other people to improve as I have found personally, and he is a true professional.

"As for the comments about Nick's idea of a night out being "dinner for one on the balcony of his hotel", they are absolutely absurd. I have been in Nick's company socially many times. He is great fun to be with and is the most outgoing guy you could ever wish to meet. This isn't just my thinking, it is the thinking of every junior golfer who has ever been involved with him.

"Nick is also accused of keeping "himself to himself" and not associating much with other players. Golf is an individual sport, and when not competing in the Ryder Cup, which is one of the very few team events in golf, surely you should remain focused purely on your game. Apart from the Ryder Cup, these guy's are your opponents and they stand in between you and your next tournament victory. Nick is a very dedicated man, and if being so single-minded and focused is a bad thing, then I might as well put my clubs away.

"Nick is Britain's best ever golfer and aspiring juniors look up to and learn from him. I think it is time we take a good look at who our heroes really are and what they have really done."

Dougherty has just been rewarded for his outstanding promise by being named in the nine-strong Great Britain & Ireland squad for the St Andrews Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Turnberry from June 30-July 1.

His team-mates include three members of last year's victorious Walker Cup team - Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Gary Wolstenholme. Team: P Casey (Burhill), L Donald (Beaconsfield), J Donaldson (Macclesfield), N Dougherty (Shaw Hill), N Fox (Portmarnock), M Harris (Ham Manor), M Loftus (Cowglen), S O'Hara (Colville Park), G Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs). Reserves: M Hoey (Shandon Park), D Griffiths (West Herts). Non-playing captain: P McEvoy.