The prestigious and Championship course of Sand Moor GC, Leeds was the
venue for the 51 st meeting of these teams. The golf course was magnificent with
the greens in their finest conditions, unbelievable really after the most torrential
downpours and flash floods the day before, the course was long and tough and
it was to test the 2 teams over the 3 days. This match was won by England last
year and Scotland were looking to gain revenge.
The opening day consists of fourballs in the afternoon followed by greensomes
and fourballs the following day, and singles on the final day. The playing
Captain this year was Paul Sutton who has plenty of experience but had a
tough job of trying to get the pairings right as well as sorting his game out
himself.
England had a strong team with 3 new additions, Mark Jones, Adam Kearney
and Rich Dale. Scotland knew they were up against it so they had brought 4
new players in for this match as well.
England were led off by the experienced duo Dave Hough and Simon Reed
who played some scintillating golf earning them a convincing 9&7 win against
the top Scottish pairing.
Captain Paul put some other strong pairings out on the first afternoon and it
worked in his favour with England coming out of the blocks well, leading 5-1
after the first day.
The next morning greensomes matches were very important, Paul didn’t split
many pairs up after yesterdays good start, only splitting himself and Tony
Clements up putting them with 2 of the debutants, they capitalised on this by
winning the morning session 6-0 with some great results. In the afternoons
fourballs Paul left the pairings and with some amazing golf played by both
teams the session was shared 3-3, meaning England were leading 14 – 4 going
into the final days singles needing 1.5 points for victory.
As expected both sides came out firing on the final mornings singles wih both
captains top loading the draw with experienced players. Dave Hough who was
English Champion got the match off against the Scottish champion playing to
become the British Champion, Dave was too strong and came out on top and
the following 8 matches were shared between the teams, Mark Jones, Rob
Moore and Stuart Connell, all winning giving them 4 wins from 4 during the
week meaning England ran out convincing winners of this match.
The overall score was 20.5 v 9.5 to England.
At the dinner and presentation the club manager. introduced both capatains,
Paul and Davie Beaton, they both spoke of good friendship and camaraderie
between the 2 teams again even after the result, they also thanked the golf club
for their fantastic hospitality and the way the courses were presented. A special
mention went to the club manager Chris Brown for looking after everyone this
week. Paul then went on to congratulate the Scottish team for their attitude over
the 3 days and he congratulated his English team on their fantastic result and
retaining the trophy. A special mention was given to Dave Hough and Sandy
Douglas for organising this event again.
A final thank you was given to the PSSA whose funding and support is most
greatly appreciated, without this none of these events and matches would take
place.
It was left to the Scottish captain Davie Beaton to present the Scrimageour
Trophy to Paul. Dave Hough was presented with the British Championship
Trophy and debutant Mark Jones’ unbeaten run all week as well as tidying up
each morning after the English boys made him the deserved winner of the
English player of the tournament winning all 4 points, well done Mark.
We look forward to next year’s International match hopefully back at Blairgowrie
in Scotland.
Once again a big thank you goes out to all the English and Scottish players for
their time effort and golfing displays throughout the week.
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