Dan Hayes Named in England Squad for Sotogrande
Bramhall teenager Dan Hayes has been named in England’s four-man squad for the European Cup of Nations at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, Spain.
The competition, which takes place from March 26-29, will see 21 nations compete in a strokeplay format over 72 holes. The best three 18-hole scores from each of the four players will count towards the team’s total.
A Prestigious Tournament
The tournament is both a team and individual event, meaning the player with the lowest score over the four days will win the individual title.
England have won the competition 12 times since the first Nations Cup in 1998, which is eight more than any other nation (Spain have won four).
Previous individual champions include golfing superstars like Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, and Shane Lowry.
England Golf Hall of Famer Gary Wolstenholme MBE has been crowned champion four times, while other notable winners include Francesco Molinari, Marcel Siem, and Nigel Edwards, England Golf’s current performance director.
Recent English winners include Tom Sloman (2019) and Todd Clements (2018), while John Gough’s runner-up finish in 2023 helped England secure their most recent Nations Cup title.
England Golf’s Expectations
England Golf men’s performance manager, Ben Gorvett, said:
“We’ve had great success in the past at this event and we don’t want 2025 to be any different. We have a strong team, with Eliot Baker, Dan Hayes and Tom Osborne having already had a taste of winning this year, and they are complemented by our English Amateur champion, Harley Smith, on his return from injury.
“The team is ready to face the challenge that Sotogrande poses, and they are eager to compete against Europe’s finest golfers yet again.”
Dan Hayes’ Rising Career
Hayes, 18, was part of the England men’s team that won the 2025 Octagonal Match in January.
He finished third at this year’s Portuguese Amateur Championship after an impressive run in 2024, where he:
- Won the 2024 Carris Trophy
- Finished tied second in the 2024 English U18 Amateur Championship
- Won the 2024 Lancashire Links Trophy
- Finished tied second in the 2024 Brabazon Trophy
Additionally, he has represented Great Britain & Ireland in the 2024 Jacques Leglise Trophy and played for England in the 2023 Women’s & Men’s Home Internationals.
He also reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship.
With a stellar track record and a bright future, Dan Hayes will be one to watch at Sotogrande!
