Maria Dunne to captain Great Britain and Ireland in Vagliano Trophy

A competitor in 2017, Maria Dunne will captain the GB&I team at the 2023 Vagliano Trophy. Picture: The R&A/Getty Images

Maria Dunne and Janet Melville have been confirmed as captains of Great Britain and Ireland for the Vagliano and Junior Vagliano trophies being played at Royal Dornoch from 30 June to 1 July.

Dunne, who previously led GB&I against the Continent of Europe in the Junior Vagliano Trophy in 2019, will captain the side for the first time in the senior match, while Melville returns as captain for the third time following the 2021 and 2022 matches.

Dunne enjoyed an excellent amateur career in which she won the Irish Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 2017, the same year she represented GB&I at the Vagliano Trophy. She was also a member of the GB&I team which won the Curtis Cup at Dun Laoghaire in 2016 and represented Ireland on 11 occasions, including the European Young Masters, Girls’ Home Internationals, Women’s Home Internationals and European Ladies’ Team Championship.

Dunne said, “It is a real honour to be selected as captain of Great Britain and Ireland for the Vagliano Trophy this year and I am looking forward to working with the players ahead of the match against the Continent of Europe.

“It is going to be a tough match but hopefully we can make home advantage count as we aim to stop the Continent of Europe’s run and win the trophy at Royal Dornoch.”

Melville led England to a hat-trick of victories in the Girls’ Home Internationals, winning in 2017, 2018, and 2019. As an amateur golfer, Melville won the 1987 Women’s Amateur Championship and 1978 Women’s British Open which is now a women’s major championship – the AIG Women’s Open.

Melville commented, “I am so pleased to be captain of Great Britain and Ireland for a third Junior Vagliano Trophy. The girls came so close to a win at Blairgowrie last year and so I am looking forward to building on that performance and hopefully secure GB&I its first win in the match.

“Working with these junior golfers is a real passion of mine and to continue to be involved with the sport, give back and share all of my experience is truly an honour.”

A new selection process will be introduced for the GB&I teams competing in the Vagliano Trophy and Junior Vagliano Trophy matches, with a greater emphasis being placed on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR ®) and captain selections.

Players selected for the Vagliano Trophy will include The Women’s Amateur champion, if eligible, and the leading five GB&I players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR ®) on Wednesday 14 June.

Should the Women’s Amateur champion occupy one of the guaranteed WAGR positions or any of the leading five WAGR players are unavailable the place(s) will not transfer to the next ranked GB&I player. The balance of places will be selected by the captain.

Players selected for the Junior Vagliano Trophy will include the current Girls’ Under 16s champion, if eligible, and the leading two GB&I players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR ®) on Wednesday 31 May.

Should the Girls’ Under 16s Champion occupy one of the two guaranteed WAGR positions or any of the leading two WAGR players are unavailable the place(s) will not transfer to the next ranked GB&I player. The balance of places will be selected by the captain.