Inspired Scots claim inaugural combined title at Pyle & Kenfig
R&A: Friday September 16th
FORMAT: 18-hole team round-robin matchplay
A stunning final-day victory ensured Scotland had most to cheer about at the inaugural R&A Women’s & Men’s Senior Home Internationals at Pyle & Kenfig last night.
For the first time combined teams competed for a trophy alongside separate competitions for both genders with England’s women carrying off the Sue Johnson Trophy while Scotland’s men also claimed the Past Presidents Trophy.
The outcome of the main prize came down to a final-day battle between Scotland and Ireland with the former raising their game in superb style to win 11.5-6.5 after roaring ahead early. The new champions were 5-1 up going into the singles.
Overall final standings
“It feels amazing,” said overall Scottish captain Fiona de Vries. “It’s been a fantastic team effort from start to finish. It’s been an amazing experience. We’ve all got on really well together, we’ve had fun and we’ve played great golf.
“To win the morning foursomes against a strong Irish side was phenomenal.
“If you’ve asked me if we’d have been 5-1 up I’d have bitten your arm off. It gave us the momentum we needed going into the singles. I had faith we’d come through.”
The six Scottish men really came to the fore, dropping just two points against Ireland to also secure the Past Presidents Trophy for the fourth time.
“It’s great to win both trophies, because we’ve gelled well with the women this week,” said Scottish men’s captain Ronnie Clark. “I’ve been on a winning Home Internationals team before and I’ve had European success, but to get this win as captain is special.
“The team was evenly balanced and there was no obvious player to leave out each day, so that was the hardest part of my job. It was a battle this week and I’m just so thankful to come out on top.”
The Scots’ lead-off pair of Karen Ferguson-Snedden (Mortonhall) and Wendy Nicholson (Baberton) gave their side the perfect start as they edged a tight tussle by winning the last.
Behind them Clark (Erskine) and Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) were two down with four to play but turned it around against Eamonn Haugh and Jody Fanagan to also come out on top at the 18th.
Meanwhile England women’s two high-class debutants were both six from six to help their side claim the Sue Johnson Trophy.
Malton & Norton’s Emma Brown and Hampshire ace Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), who were part of the 2002 GB&I Curtis Cup side, played together in the foursomes and also won all their singles matches. England yesterday confirmed victory with a 7-2 success over Wales.
England Women’s captain Angela Jones said: “I’m very proud of all the team, they played brilliantly all week.We had two super new rookies this year in Emma and Kerry who both played very well. It made a big difference to have them in the team.”
Next year’s event is hosted by the Scots at West Kilbride on September 19-21.