SHIPLEY member Will Whiteoak is looking forward to competing for the England A squad next week in the Costa Ballena tournament in Spain.

The 21-year-old from Haworth was selected for the squad in December and the round-robin three-day tournament against teams from Germany, Spain and Finland, starting next Wednesday, will be his first outing with the team.

“It’s exciting. It’ll be nice to play in some good weather,” he said. “I’m a bit fed up with the weather here so I’m looking forward to having some sunshine, though you’re not too sure how your game is going to be after you’ve been playing on mud and in the cold.”

The squad of six players will be hoping to regain the trophy that they won in 2014, having narrowly lost out to Spain on the final day last year.

“I think we’ve got a pretty good chance,” added the former Oakbank pupil.

“Spain are probably are biggest threat. I think they’ve picked their top guys and it’s obviously better for them being in their home country and also being able to practise in better conditions at this time of year.”

Whiteoak hopes his success and progress last year, winning the Tillman Trophy once lifted by Ernie Els, can continue into this year.

He said: “My game is ticking over nicely. Joining up with the England A squad has been really beneficial with the training camps in Woodhall Spa and Portugal this winter.”

“I hope to make it into the full England squad at the end of this season.”

Last season Whiteoak also led the northern qualifiers for the Brabazon Trophy and was part of Darryl Berry's Yorkshire side that regained the EGU Northern Counties title in the summer.