Europe Set to Field Strong Teams at the Bonallack & Patsy Hankins Matches in January

24 Oct 2024

The EGA is delighted to announce a strong lineup of players for the 2025 European Bonallack & Patsy Hankins Trophy teams, that will take on Asia-Pacific at Al Hamra Golf Club, UAE, from 8 to 10 January 2025.

The two biennial international matches for elite amateurs, played in parallel, take place over three days in formats mirroring the Ryder and Solheim Cups.

The matches will be contested in January for the first time, following a date change from the most recent match which took place in August 2023.

Selection for the teams, which will be completed with final additions in the coming weeks, recognise the players' outstanding performances in the amateur game.

 

BONALLACK TROPHY SELECTIONS (8 of 12)

  • Jose Luis Ballester (ESP)

  • Tiger Christensen (GER)

  • Dominic Clemons (ENG)

  • Pablo Ereño Perez (ESP)

  • Filip Jacubčík (CZE)

  • Max Kennedy (IRL)

  • Algot Kleen (SWE) 

  • Tim Wiedemeyer (GER)

 

The men's team, still to be joined by four final selections, will follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in golf including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose, who all formerly represented the European side in the match.

The squad will be led by non-playing captain, Joachim Fourquet. The former French international recently led the Continent of Europe Jacques Léglise Trophy team to a record four consecutive victories in the junior match with Great Britain & Ireland, and will lead the European men’s team for the first time in January.

Current world amateur number-five, and reigning US Amateur Champion, Jose Luis Ballester (ESP) is the highest ranked player in the team.

Tiger Christensen (GER) is the only returning player from the 2023 edition, although Filip Jacubčík (CZE), Pablo Ereño Perez (ESP) and Tim Wiedemeyer (GER) represented the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy earlier this year. The GB&I side of that match included Dominic Clemens (ENG) and Max Kennedy (IRL), who will both represent Europe for the first time in January.

The European side will be eager to win back the trophy from Asia-Pacific, who triumphed in the last edition of the match in Spain. The victory was Asia-Pacific's second consecutive over Europe, although both matches were decided by two points or less. Since the matches' inauguration in 1998, the European side leads Asia-Pacific with 7 wins to 4.

 

PATSY HANKINS TROPHY SELECTIONS (10 of 12)

  • Emma Bunch (DEN)

  • Adela Cernousek (FRA)

  • Beth Coulter (IRL)

  • Francesca Fiorellini (ITA)

  • Carolina Melgrati (ITA)

  • Patience Rhodes (ENG)

  • Louise Rydqvist (SWE)

  • Nora Sundberg (SWE)

  • Rocio Tejedo (ESP)

  • Lottie Woad (ENG)

 

The team, to be joined by two final selections, will be captained by Myrte Eikenaar (NED) who led the side to its first victory in the last edition of the match in Spain. A two-time European Mid-Amateur Ladies' Champion, Eikenaar has also captained the Continent of Europe Junior Vagliano Trophy team for the last five years.

Five of the 10 initial selections will return from the winning 2023 team. Beth Coulter, Francesca Fiorellini, Patience Rhodes, Rocio Tejedo and current world amateur number-one, Lottie Woad, will look to help Europe retain the trophy in the UAE.

The five other ‘rookies’ on the team include reigning European Ladies’ Amateur Champion, Louise Rydqvist (SWE) and former Junior Vagliano Trophy and Junior Ryder Cup player, Nora Sundberg (SWE).

 

ABOUT THE BONALLACK TROPHY

The Bonallack Trophy is a biennial match for elite amateur male golfers played between 12-player teams from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The EGA selects the European team, while the Asia-Pacific side is fielded by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC). On each 12-player team, a maximum of two players can represent a given country. 

The contest and trophy are named after Sir Michael Bonallack, one of the most decorated amateur players of all time and a former Captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The Englishman won The Amateur Championship five times and the Brabazon Trophy four times. He also represented Great Britain & Ireland in nine Walker Cup teams, eight St Andrews Trophy teams, and helped England to the European Amateur Team Championship title on three occasions. 

Sir Michael also made significant contributions to the game off-course, including 16 years as Secretary of The R&A, six years as Chairman of the European Tour and as President of the English Golf Union amongst many other roles.

The match takes place over three days. Five foursomes matches in the morning and five fourball matches in the afternoon are played on both of the first two days. On the final day, all 12 players complete singles matches.

With 32 total points on offer (1 for a win, 0.5 for a half and 0 for a loss), 16.5 points are needed to secure victory. The format mirrors the Ryder Cup, with one additional match in each of the four sessions over the first two days.

The 2025 match will be the 12th edition between the two sides since the event was inaugurated in 1998.

The contest is played in parallel with the equivalent match for ladies, the Patsy Hankins Trophy.

 

ABOUT THE PATSY HANKINS TROPHY

The Patsy Hankins Trophy is a biennial match for elite amateur female golfers played between 12-player teams from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The EGA selects the European team, while the Asia-Pacific side is fielded by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).  On each 12-player team, a maximum of two players can represent a given country. 

The contest and trophy are named in memory of Patsy Hankins, a former golf administrator from New Zealand. Her legacy as a trailblazer in golf administration grew due to her long list of achievements and kind and gentle approach. From fostering the development of the women’s game to playing a key role in the joining of men’s and women’s golf, Patsy was incredibly influential and will leave a long lasting legacy in the game not only in New Zealand but around the world.

The match takes place over three days. Five foursomes matches in the morning and five fourball matches in the afternoon are played on both of the first two days. On the final day, all 12 players complete singles matches.

With 32 total points on offer (1 for a win, 0.5 for a half and 0 for a loss), 16.5 points are needed to secure victory. The format mirrors the Solheim Cup, with one additional match in each of the four sessions over the first two days.

The 2025 match will be the 4th edition between the two sides since its inauguration in 2016, with Asia-Pacific having two victories, and Europe currently holding the trophy.

The contest is played in parallel with the equivalent match for men, the Bonallack Trophy.