Our own Jonathan Caldwell was one to benefit as, at 67th on the table overall and 19th of the home breed, he was chosen instead of 10 others listed ahead of him on the merit table. Not that this is cause for complaint in this country as it is refreshing to see any selection system work in favour of the Irish and it will add much interest to the occasion to have two Irishmen in action at Royal County Down next month.

But what can the English pair of Gary Boyde and Cup veteran Gary Wolstenholme think of being 23rd and 25th on the World list but bypassed in favour of Llewellyn Matthews who ranks 175th?

Matthews had a terrible display at the British Open last month when a disastrous second round 83, sent him crashing out of the event with one of the worst scores of the week. He was saved by a win in the St. Andrews Trophy, and a successful defence of his Welsh Amateur title last week.

The team comprises five Englishmen, three Welsh, two Irish and only one Scot in a year when Colin Dalgleish of Scotland is team captain. At least the Scottish captain is above reproach from those who might like to accuse captains of favouritism but he will probably take it in the neck at home as Caldwell and Matthews have World Rankings below Callum Macaulay at 48th, James Byrne at 52nd and Wallace Booth at 65th.

The Irish connection with the Walker Cup goes all the way back to Garden City in 1924 when Charles Hezlet got a taste of what was to follow for his countrymen in the years ahead when the legendary Francis Ouimet was largely responsible as the Irishman lost his foursomes and a double-whammy was completed when he ran into a youthful Bobby Jones in the singles and did well, in view of the fact that Jones was to become a world hero soon afterwards, to bring the match to the fifteenth.

The walker Cup is like that.

An Irishman gets slaughtered and everyone yawns only to waken-up to the fact, years later, that he had faced a great star in the making. It was not until St. Andrews in 1938 that Cecil Ewing achieved the first, and still relatively rare, Irish singles win by beating Ray Billows by 1-hole as the home side won by three points. It was back to hard times after that even in 1949 when Ireland had a record presence in the side but all four Irishmen lost successive singles at Winged Foot. Sam McCready, James Bruen, Joe Carr and Ewing.

Roll-on to Seattle in 1961 and Joe Carr losing by 6 and 4 to a young tyke called Nicklaus; to Peachtree in 1989 where Garth McGimpsey lost 4 and 2 to a young Mickelson (held to a half next day by Eoghan O'Connell); and to Royal Porthcawl in 1995 where Padraig Harrington and Jody Fanagan had a foursomes win over John Harris and his young friend Tiger Woods.

Now it is the turn of Caldwell and McIlroy to go into the fray and it is to be hoped that they cover themselves in glory before a home crowd which will be enthused for the occasion and longing for Irish success.

This year's home team reads, in order of World ranking- Lloyd Saltman (Scotland), Rhys Davies (Wales), John Parry (England), David Horsey (England), Rory McIlroy (Ireland), Daniel Willett (England), Jamie Moul (England), Nigel Edwards (Wales), Jonathan Caldwell (Ireland) and Llewellyn Matthews (Wales).

This year's selection of two Irishmen brings to thirty-two the total number of Irish players who have played Walker Cup. Thankfully, twenty-three of them are still alive and a goodly number of them are expected to add a great deal of interest to next month's showpiece by gracing the fairways.

AMEN CORNER GOLF TIP OF THE WEEK

Perfect your pitching Pitching is a vital part of the game and when mastered it will dramatically lower your scores.

Firstly, open your stance slightly towards the target line when addressing the ball and ensure your weight is evenly distributed on your heels for good balance.

When taking your backswing your shoulders, arms, hands and clubhead should move together for the "rst 18 inches and then your wrists should break soon after this.

It is essential that your back knee moves towards your front knee during your downswing. Transfer your weight from your back leg so that it is evenly distributed at impact.

Distance control is very important when pitching and this is decided by the length of your backswing. When pitching take a short backswing which will increase the speed of your trailing hand and the movement of your back knee, this will result in the ball gaining more spin.

with Emmanuel Riblet, Golf Pro, Premier Golf Santry