BARKER LEADS ENGLAND TRIO IN CHIBERTA

Paul Bradshaw (Gainsborough), David Skinns (Lincoln), and Barry Barker (Reddish Vale) have been selected to represent England in the annual Chiberta Grand Prix, near Biarritz, France, on 19-21 July.

Barker, 28, who will also act as team manager, sprang to prominence nationally last year when he reached the semi-finals of the English Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham. He eventually lost to the champion, Paul Casey, but claimed the scalps of several leading players on the way including internationals Jonathan Lupton and Nick Dougherty.

Barry has been a key player within Cheshire for many years, representing the county at boys, youth and senior level. He was Cheshire Boys champion in 1989, has won the county matchplay title three times, the Reddish Vale club championship five times, and in 2000 won the Cheshire Order of Merit.

Bradshaw, 22, enjoyed a highly successful season in 2000, winning the Midland Youths Championship as well as the Lincolnshire County title and later in the year claiming the EGU's Champion of Champions tournament at Woodhall Spa.

This year, the Gainsborough golfer has finished third in the Lytham Trophy, was runner-up to Scottish champion Stephen O'Hara in the St Andrews Links Trophy, and reached the last eight of the Amateur Championship at Prestwick.

Skinns, 19, was Bradshaw's predecessor as Lincolnshire champion. He was capped at boys' level in 1999, played in the Boys Home Internationals at Portmarnock and the European Boys Team Championships in Holland last year, and finished runner-up in the British Boys Championship at Hillside.

This year he has been added to the England senior squad, while winning the Lagonda Trophy, finishing third in the Berkhamsted Trophy and fourth in the West of England Stoke Play Championship.

The Chiberta competition is medal stroke play over 54 holes with individual and team awards. The title has never been won by an English trio.