THE cream of Channel Islands golfers come together this weekend in Guernsey for the annual Alexander Forbes Channel Islands club championship.

Royal Jersey and Royal Guernsey have already won their home inter-club matches against holders La Moye and Royal Guernsey respectively.

Royal Jersey are without Gavin O’Neill (playing for Hampshire), Paul Le Chevalier (family holiday) and Christy McLaughlin (prior engagement), but they still send a strong side.

Team captain Steve Bowen has included himself and junior Gyles Robin, the latter who has been playing well in reducing his handicap to three.

James Birch, Richard Williamson, Alex Guelpa, Robbie Messervy, Stuart Crossan and newly-crowned Channel Islands champion Matthew Parkman also represent Royal Jersey.

La Moye have included four juniors in their squad of eight.

Team captain Kevin O’Toole said: ‘The youngsters are our stars at the moment and they are selected on merit.

Seb Brown has returned from America in good form while Matt Nicolle, Chris Young and Keiran Goodricke have helped the juniors reach the Hampshire Greenjackets semi-final.

‘Matt, Chris and Keiran all won a maximum three points in our second team’s Keal Trophy win against Royal Jersey recently so now they’ve been elevated to the first team.

We have a balanced side with four experienced golfers too.

Richard Ramskill plays off plus-two and Craig Neilson off plus-one and I think two playing off plus handicaps in the CI League is unique.’