Staff WriterEngland Golf has unveiled its Senior Men’s Team for a September doubleheader that will test both skill and stamina on two of the sport’s most demanding stages.
The squad will line up first at the European Senior Men’s Team Championship in Austria before turning their attention to the Senior Women’s & Men’s Home Internationals in Dorset.
The core six heading to the European showdown at Diamond Country Club (2–6 September) are Stephen Creed, Danny Holmes, Peter Jackson, John Kennedy, Steve Sansome, and Martin Young. When the Home Internationals roll around at Ferndown Golf Club (16–18 September), they’ll be joined by veteran John Kemp of Woburn, adding another heavy hitter to the mix.
A Captain’s Sleepless Nights
Team Captain Andrew Atkinson admitted this year’s selection process was more stressful than a three-footer for bogey. “This year has been a very difficult year to pick the team with six players all vying for the final two places.
I had numerous sleepless nights and a long consultation with (England Golf Performance Director) Nigel Edwards before we came to our final decision,” he said.
“We felt that Stephen Creed’s experience and results in Europe meant that he was the strongest favourite to take one of those places. Martin Young, who only turned 55 in July, his result in The British Seniors and the English match play gave him the nod over the other four.
“Kev Parkes, Gareth Bradley, Andrew Smith and Mat Stanford should be incredibly proud of their achievements this year, I know they will all use this year’s disappointment to make next year a fabulous year for these very talented players.
“My expectations for the team are very high and I’m sure the seven selected will represent England with honour and give everything to carry on the team’s fantastic legacy.”
The Players Who Made the Cut
The England Golf Senior Men’s Team isn’t short on pedigree. Here’s a closer look at the golfers tasked with carrying England’s flag:
Stephen Creed (Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire)
A steady force in Europe, Creed boasts a runner-up finish at the Spanish International Seniors’ Championship, plus top-10s across Ireland and the European circuit. Already a seasoned international, he’s no stranger to the Home Internationals stage.
Danny Holmes (Rochester & Cobham Park, Kent)
The reigning 2024 Order of Merit winner, Holmes knows how to put together a season. A top-10 at the 2025 Stroke Play Championship and a deep run in the Amateur prove he’s a man for the big occasions.
Peter Jackson (Woking, Surrey)
Fresh off lifting the 2025 English Senior Amateur Championship, Jackson adds steel and silverware to the lineup.
John Kennedy (Consett & District, Durham)
A serial winner this season, Kennedy collected the Senior Men’s Amateur, the Scottish Senior Open, and even his county title for good measure. If form counts, he’s England’s ace.
Steve Sansome (Rothley Park, Leicestershire)
The 2025 Welsh Open Seniors champion and a runner-up at last year’s English Amateur, Sansome is knocking loudly on the door of more international success.
Martin Young (Brokenhurst Manor, Hampshire)
The youngest of the squad at 55, Young brings recent momentum with a strong showing in both the British Seniors and match play.
And then there’s the Home Internationals reinforcement:
John Kemp (Woburn, BB&O)
A proven winner with back-to-back English Stroke Play titles, Kemp also made waves in the U.S., finishing top seed in stroke play at the 2025 US Senior Amateur before reaching the last 16. He’s even worn the Team Europe blazer at the Concession Cup.
Legacy on the Line
For Atkinson’s squad, September isn’t just about chasing trophies—it’s about adding another chapter to the long-running success of the England Golf Senior Men’s Team.
With a mix of decorated veterans and in-form champions, England will arrive in Austria and Dorset expecting to contend.
One thing is certain: if this team swings like they’ve been playing all summer, the rest of Europe had better keep the champagne corked for now.
