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WOODHALL SPA, ENGLAND | The state-of-the-art Performance Centre at Woodhall Spa, home of England Golf, perhaps explains why England swept all three R&A Home International matches over Woodhall’s two courses – the Hotchkin and Bracken – last week.
In large letters on the wall inside the putting studio are the words: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work.”
They’re the words of Graham Walker, England Golf’s lead men’s coach. There was plenty of English talent on display in this unique series of matches, when three round-robin R&A competitions took place at the same venue for the first time: the Women’s, Boys’ and Girls’, and Senior Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals.
Combining girls and boys and senior women and men was another first for the contest which pits England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales against each other on an annual basis.
England swept all three competitions to strengthen its claim as the dominant force in British and Irish golf. Not many would be surprised if the men follow suit when the four nations of the British Isles go head-to-head next month in the R&A Men’s Home Internationals.
It’s the reason seven English players were originally selected to this year’s Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team, and why English players make up the bulk of the eight-women GB&I Curtis Cup team that will face the United States at Conwy Golf Club later this month.
English juniors proved they were far and away the best youngsters in the British Isles by heading the points table with 3 points from three victories against home opposition, winning 46 matches against 17 losses in the process. Scotland came second with 2 points from 37 wins and 26 loses. Ireland was third with 1 point (28-35), while Wales was last with 0 points (15-48).
“The scoreboard doesn’t really do justice to the golf that was played out there by both sides. My team played brilliantly but 6-3 flatters us a little bit.”
Jennifer Henderson
The seniors weren’t quite as dominant as the juniors, but the over-50s squad defeated all three nations to head the table with 3 points, winning 22½ match points to 13½ losses. Scotland and Ireland registered 1½ points each, with Scotland taking second place based on winning more matches than Ireland.
England’s women’s team won the historic International Shield for the 64th time outright since winning the inaugural 1895 contest. It also was England’s second consecutive win. However, Ireland once again put up stubborn resistance against England’s best women.
Two years ago, England and Ireland went into a final-day showdown at Downfield Golf Club to settle the contest. England narrowly defeated the Irish on that occasion, 5-4. Two years on (COVID-19 forced the cancellation of last year’s Home Internationals) and the same two teams went head-to-head on the final day, with Ireland not only looking for revenge but seeking a first victory since 2017 at Little Aston Golf Club.
A 3-3 split in the morning singles set up a tense contest for the three afternoon foursomes sessions. For much of the afternoon, England were up in one match, down in another with the lead foursomes even through the first 13 holes. It looked like matches won and lost across the three days would settle the title. However, England came into this contest as reigning European Team Championship winners. English captain Jennifer Henderson brought five members of that victorious team with her to Woodhall Spa.
England’s strength also was evidenced from having four players inside the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking and an average ranking of 108. Ireland had just one player, Lauren Walsh, inside the top 100 at 24th and had an average ranking of 215th. England’s strength in depth ultimately proved too much for the Irish team. England swept the foursomes for an overall score of 6-3.
The home team sat proudly on top of the points table with 3 points, winning 21½ points from the 27 matches player in the three days and dropping just 5½ points. Ireland took second with two wins and a 14½–12½ tally. Scotland was third with 1 point (13½–13½) with Wales winning just 4½ points from the 27 on offer.
“The scoreboard doesn’t really do justice to the golf that was played out there by both sides,” English captain Henderson said. “My team played brilliantly but 6-3 flatters us a little bit. It was a hard-fought match by both sides and, as usual, it was a putt here or there that probably decided the overall result.
“My team have come out this week and worked hard, played hard and been brave on the course as a team. They’ve all chipped in points to the victory, but that’s not surprising because it’s a very strong team. I’m really happy with how they’ve gelled together on and off the course, which made my job so much easier.
“To add this trophy to the European Team Championship was always a tough ask because nothing can ever be taken for granted in this game. But we had confidence from that performance, and it just shows the continued strength of the quality coming through the England Golf at moment. It was great golf to watch, and it’s just a pleasure for me to be a part of it.”
That was Ireland captain Laura Webb’s take, too.
“I’m proud of my team,” Webb said. “We’ve come really close to beating England on their home patch, with a team that’s ranked much higher than us on average on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. So how could I be disappointed in their performance? I’m disappointed for them, but not disappointed in them.”
Top: England's Boys' and Girls' teams
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