Golfer Scott Fernandez expecting support from sections of home crowd
Scott Fernandez considers himself 'a quarter Scottish' and expects to see a good turnout from local fans.
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Scott Fernandez will be motivated by his British background and some home support when the European Team Championships begin at Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course on Wednesday.
Fernandez will line up alongside Pedro Oriol (ESP) in the men's match of the day against Portuguese duo Jose-Filipe Lima and Ricardo Santos.
The son of a Spanish ski instructor, whose mother was born in England and his grandmother in Scotland, is expecting friends and relatives from around the United Kingdom to rally to support him.
"Every time I get to play in Scotland I really enjoy it," Fernandez said. "It feels like part of home and that is a nice feeling. I consider myself a quarter Scottish so I'm expecting a few friends and relatives to offer their support."
National pride will also be a factor for opponent Lima. The 36-year-old has represented Portugal in three World Cups and at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
"I like events which are different compared to the whole year," Lima said. "I'm proud to represent my country. I don't know when I will stop playing golf but it's great to look back on events like these, and the Olympics, which you might only play once in your life."
Britain's number one pairing of Callum Shinkwin and Lee Slattery are the top-ranked men's team and they open their group A campaign against Santiago Tarrio Ben and David Borda (ESP).
The new world number 10 and top-ranked European player Georgia Hall (GBR) returns to action after winning the British Women's Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes at the weekend. She partners veteran Laura Davies (GBR) in their opening group A match against Spanish duo Noemi Jimenez and Silvia Banon.
"There has been a lot of attention on me since the weekend and it will be good to get back on the golf course," Hall said. "I always intended to play in this tournament and I'm really excited about it."
The men's and women's team events begin on a round-robin basis, with four groups of four teams in each playing fourball match play. The top teams in each group will advance to the semi finals and final on Sunday 12 August in a foursomes format.
