NEW CHAMPION CASEY BIDS FOR EUROPEAN CROWN

Newly crowned English champion Paul Casey (Burhill) and runner-up Simon Dyson (Sand Moor) are named in a seven strong squad to represent England in the International European Amateur Championship at Celtic Manor, South Wales on 18-21 August.

Casey, who turned 22 just days before winning the English title by a 2 and 1 margin over Dyson at St Mellion, earns his first representative call after a highly successful college career in America.

Having run Casey so close in Cornwall, Dyson, 21, could easily go one better in the 72-hole European strokeplay tournament. He was the leading English player in joint seventh last year in France and is playing well enough to bring the title to England for the first time. Paddy Gribben of Ireland is the reigning champion but the English representation is strong enough for any one of the seven to finish on top.

Casey and Brabazon Trophy winner Mark Side, 24 (Shirley Park), are the only non-internationals in the squad that also includes Luke Donald, 21 (Beaconsfield), Philip Rowe, 20 (West Cornwall), Graeme Storm, 21, (The Wynyard) and Gary Wolstenholme 38 (Kilworth Springs).

Donald recently won the NCAA Championship, the leading collegiate competition in America and was voted their Player of the Year, Rowe reached the quarter finals at St Mellion, Storm is the current Amateur champion, while Wolstenholme has been an ever-present in the England team since 1988 and had played over 100 matches.

The International European Amateur is being played over the newly opened Robert Trent Jnr - designed Wentwood Hill course at Celtic Manor, near Newport. The par 72 course measures 7,400 yards.

The full England squad is: Paul Casey (Burhill), Luke Donald (Beaconsfield), Simon Dyson (Sand Moor), Philip Rowe (West Cornwall), Mark Side (Shirley Park), Graeme Storm (The Wynyard) and Gary Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs). Team Manager is Les Walker.