The European Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophy teams have been finalised ahead of their upcoming matches with Asia-Pacific.

The two 12-player teams will represent Europe at Al Hamra Golf Club in the UAE for the three-day Ryder-Cup style matches from 8 to 10 January 2025.

BONALLACK TROPHY SELECTIONS

Six new selections have been confirmed for the European men's team. 

Jose Luis Ballester (ESP), Dominic Clemons (ENG), Pablo Ereño Perez (ESP), Filip Jakubčík (CZE), Algot Kleen (SWE) and Tim Wiedemeyer (GER) are joined by Charlie Forster (ENG), Lev Grinberg (UKR), Benjamin Reuter (NED), Gunnlaugur Árni Sveinsson (ISL), Richard Teder (EST), and Peer Wernicke (GER).

Two of the eight previously announced selections, Tiger Christen (GER) and Max Kennedy (IRL), performed well at DP World Tour Q-school and will turn pro ahead of the match. 

All six newly announced players will compete in the match for the first time in January, although three have formerly represented the Continent of Europe. Lev Grinberg, Richard Teder and Peer Wernicke have all competed in either the St Andrews or Jacques Léglise Trophy matches (against GB&I) in the last two years and will take another step up to represent the entire continent in January.

They join an already strong lineup of players which includes reigning US Amateur champion, Jose Luis Ballester, and four more players in the top-10 of the European Men's Amateur Ranking. Five of the selected players are currently ranked within the WAGR top-50, including 2024 European Amateur Team Championship winner with Sweden, Algot Kleen. A further three players are inside the WAGR top-100.

The 12 players 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.

The team will have the task of ending a two-match winning streak by the Asia-Pacific side, which also look strong on paper: https://www.apgc.online/news/talented-apgc-team-aims-for-bonallack-trophy-defence

PATSY HANKINS TROPHY SELECTIONS

10 players were previously announced for the European women's team, although are now joined by three new selections. 

Emma Bunch (DEN), Beth Coulter (IRL), Francesca Fiorellini (ITA), Carolina Melgrati (ITA), Patience Rhodes (ENG), Louise Rydqvist (SWE), Nora Sundberg (SWE), Rocio Tejedo (ESP), Lottie Woad (ENG) are be joined by Aine Donegan (IRL) Marie Eline Madsen (DEN), and Carolina Lopez-Chacarra (ESP).

Adela Cernousek (FRA), part of the original squad, recently earned an LPGA Tour card and will start pursuing her professional career ahead of the match.

All three new selections will make their first appearance in the match in January, although Carolina Lopez-Chacarra is the only one to formerly play under a European flag. The currently in form Spaniard helped the Continent of Europe to victory in the 2019 Junior Vagliano Trophy match, and will graduate to a European women's team in January.

Marie Eline Madsen is also strongly in form, coming off the back of 10 consecutive top-10 finishes, including at the Women's Amateur and European Ladies' Amateur Championships this summer.

Aine Donegan was famously in the mix after the opening rounds of the 2023 US Women's Open at Pebble Beach, although also has strong results this year. The Irish player helped the GB&I Curtis Cup team to victory and finished in the top-5 at the NCAA D1 Individual.

The three players join an already strong team which features the number-one ranked women's amateur player in the world, Lottie Woad, and reigning European Ladies' Amateur Champion, Louise Rydqvist.

Eight of the 12 players are currently ranked inside the WAGR top-50, with three more inside the top-100.

The completed team 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. 

The European side will have a tough task in defending the trophy against a strong Asia-Pacific team: https://www.apgc.online/news/power-packed-apgc-team-for-patsy-hankins-trophy

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.