Isle of Wight Island Games 2023 golf team for Guernsey

• The Island Games will take place from 8-14 July

Team Isle of Wight will be beinging out eight players — most of them with a wealth of previous Island Games experience — four of them men, and four women. 

They are: Men — Chris Hayward and current Island champion Ben Guy (first Island Games), Darren Masterton (in his fifth Island Games and a twice former Island champion) and Nat Riddett (the Island's number one and in his second Games).

Women — Dawn Hodge and Lucy Burke (team silver in Gotland and third Games), Catherine Bachelor (first Games) and Sophie Beardsall (also won silver in Gotland, and in her ninth Games and nine medals).

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And their manager, George Foreman, who has played in the Island Games five times — his best performance, winning silver in the team event, on the Isle of Wight, in 2011 — will be hoping to lead them to success.

Nat Riddett, the Island's number one golfer, will be playing in his second Island Games. (Image: Nat Riddett)

As an outstanding athlete for Team Isle of Wight, Sophie — an Island Games legend — has been chosen by the Isle of Wight Island Games Association's trustees to have the honour of carrying the Isle of Wight flag at the opening ceremony.

"Preparations are going really good. The guys are doing really well in qualifiers at the moment, and the ladies too, havng just had their Island Championships, which Lucy came second in. Everything's looking good," said George.

"The emphasis for me is about them gelling as a team. We've done fundraising together and we've organised meetings where we can play a few rounds of golf together.

Lucy Burke and team manager George Foreman. (Image: Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club)

"The older ones who have been before, have told the 'newbies' how great it is — but they won't know what it's like to experience the Island Games until they get there, to taste and sample the atmosphere.

"I want them to enjoy it, but never give up — that's my motto. Every day's going to be a different day.

"Realistically, we are looking at winning a team medal, but Sophie always comes back with an individual medal.

"The competition will be very stiff. Guernsey are the locals, Jersey play there all the time, but Isle of Man, Bermuda and Gotland will be tough too.

"Some of our team have played in Guernsey before, but it will be hard work."

When asked what the Island Games means to him personally, George speaks fondly of the experience.

"Being part of the Isle of Wight team gives me a buzz — representing your island. For me, that's what it's all about. That's what gives me the goosebumps," he said.

"Meeting people from other islands, with a similar 'island mentality', makes the event so much friendlier. I still keep in touch with people from past Island Games.  

"We're going out there with confidence."