England Golf have named their mixed squad to take on Spain Under 16s at La Galiana Golf Resort in Valencia from 6-7 April.
The annual Under 16 challenge match returns as England look to retain the trophy following their 16-8 win last May on home soil.
The two-day competition sees four foursomes matches (two boys pairs, two girls) in the mornings before eight singles matches on the afternoon of each day.
24 points will be up for grabs as the away side look to get their 2024 campaign off to a fine start.
England Girls:
Lauren Crump – Hill Valley GC, Shropshire
Ellie Lichtenhein – Buckinghamshire GC, Buckinghamshire
Charlotte Naughton – Longhirst Hall GC, Northumberland
Annabel Peaford – Walton Heath GC, Surrey
England Boys:
Alex Boyes – Teesside GC, Yorkshire
Josh Gardner – Coventry GC, Warwickshire
Frankie Morton – Orsett GC, Essex
Charlie Rusbridge – Colne Valley GC, Essex
Deputy Performance Director Stephen Burnett said: “The annual U16 match versus Spain is a fantastic early season opportunity for younger players to test their games. Spain are always strong and worthy opponents at this level, especially on home soil, so it’s a task the players should relish.
"We have a very promising team made up of eight players from a burgeoning talent pool at U16 level and it’s always heartening to see new names coming through. With a number of debuts in the offing in Valencia, this match will offer these players competitive developmental experiences they will cherish long into the future of their careers, regardless of the result.”
All achievements below in 2023 unless specified*
Lauren Crump – Hill Valley GC, Shropshire
- Finished 2nd at the Midlands U16 Girls’ Open Amateur Championship
- 4th at R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship and won the trophy for leading U14 player in the field
- 9th at English U14 Girls’ Championship
- Reached the last 16 at R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship
Ellie Lichtenhein – Buckinghamshire GC, Buckinghamshire
- Part of Buckinghamshire County team which won Women’s County Finals
- 10th place finish at R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship
- 9th place at English Girls’ Open Stroke Play Championship
- 5th at English U14 Girls’ Championship
Charlotte Naughton – Longhirst Hall GC, Northumberland
- Won the North of England U16 Girls’ Championship
- 6th at English U16 Girls’ Championship
- Top-20 finish at Scottish Girls’ Open Championship and English Girls’ Open Stroke Play Championship
- Qualified for match play stages of R&A Girls’ Championship
- Represented England in U16 matches against Spain, Switzerland and Ireland in 2023
Annabel Peaford – Walton Heath GC, Surrey
- Won the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship in November
- 2nd at North of England U16 Girls’ Championship
- 3rd at English U14 Girls’ Championship
- Top-20 finishes at English Girls’ Open Stroke Play Championship and English U18 Mixed Championship
- Qualified for match play stages of R&A Girls’ Championship
- Represented England in U16 matches against Switzerland and Ireland in 2023
Alex Boyes - Teesside GC, Yorkshire
- Won the North of England U14 Championship
- 5th place at both Reid Trophy (English Boys’ U14 Championship) and McGregor Trophy (English Boys’ U16 Championship)
- 7th at North of England U16 Boys’ Championship
- Top-20 finishes at Italian International U16 Boys’ Championship and Midlands U16 Boys’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship
Josh Gardner - Coventry GC, Warwickshire
- Top-10 finishes at North of England U16 Boys’ Championship and Midlands Boys’ Closed Amateur Championships
- Top-20 finish at Faldo Series England (South)
Frankie Morton - Orsett GC, Essex
- Top-10 finishes at McGregor Trophy (English Boys’ U16 Championship), Reid Trophy (English Boys’ U14 Championship) and North of England U16 Boys’ Championship
Charlie Rusbridge - Colne Valley GC, Essex
- Won the Faldo Elite Tour Portugal in January 2024
- 3rd at Midlands U16 Boys’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship
- 5th at North of England U16 Boys’ Championship
- 9th at North of England Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship
- 11th at McGregor Trophy (English Boys’ U16 Championship)
- Top-20 finishes at Faldo Series England (South), Italian International U16 Boys’ Championship, Carris Trophy (English Boys’ under 18 Championship) and Portuguese International Amateur Championship (February 2024)