A new era began for the R&A’s Home Internationals last week at Ireland’s Ballyliffin Golf Club with the first edition of a combined event to sit alongside the traditional men’s and the women’s competitions.
The concept got off to a dramatic start with the final match between hosts Ireland and England proving decisive. Ultimately the visitors emerged victorious thanks to a solid singles effort in blustery County Donegal weather.
The English were trailing 4-3 after the morning foursomes but Lottie Wood, Hannah Screen, Olly Huggins, Josh Berry, Harley Smith and Jack Bigham all claimed afternoon victories and only four of the 14 matches were lost as they completed a narrow 11-10 win.
England captain Becca Hembrough was proud of the resilience of a team that turned around an unpromising position.
“An incredible performance because early on in the singles it didn’t look so good, but they just kept fighting and to turn a couple of those matches into halves and a couple into wins was just amazing,” she said. “They dug deep and they kept hitting quality golf shots. It was a tough finish, with some tough pin positions over the last few holes. I am incredibly proud of them.
“This group of players did not need any motivational words after this morning. They wanted to win. That is what they want to do when they play for England. They were fired up; no words were needed. To be trailing going into the singles was all that was needed really.”
Hembrough was especially impressed with Sam Bairstow and Aaron Edwards Hill, who won, 3 and 2, in the foursomes before grinding out half-points in their early singles matches.
She was also delighted with the impact of the innovative new format, saying: “From my perspective, it was fantastic for the women to share the same stage as the men. That has been a huge positive to come from this event. Yes, it’s new; yes, there have been some logistical challenges, but that aside, I can only see this as positive. They are all quality golfers. They are the best in the countries. It has been great to see them mix and compete together in a team environment.”
In the traditional competitions, England won the men’s event but was denied the hat trick by the doughty home team.
Irish captain Naoimh Quigg said: “It was heartbreaking to miss out on the combined because we really came together as one team this week. It’s hard to miss out by such a small margin.
“It has been an amazing few days. I’m delighted to see the girls win that title. This group has come through the ranks together from junior into senior and have worked very hard, so I am pleased to see them get that reward.”
Elsewhere on the course, the Welsh completed a miserable week for the Scottish. With an 11-10 win, Wales grabbed third and left Scotland winless for the week.
In the Boys’ and Girls’ edition at Downfield Golf Club, the parkland layout near Carnoustie, England completed a clean sweep of all three competitions. Undefeated throughout the week, captain Stephen Burnett said: “The team bats deep, and in a way the format favours us because the more players there are the better it is for us, but they still had to go out there and do it. I couldn’t be prouder of them to win all three trophies. The team was fantastic. They prepared well, played well and it’s a great result.”
There were no individual prizes on offer, but Scotland’s Niall Shiels Donegan deserves an honourable mention for emerging with a 100-percent record when representing a team that lost all three of its matches. “He’s been a real leader,” Scottish captain Susan Jackson said. “He’s confident, and he’s had great teamwork with his teammates. To win six matches out of six is very impressive.”
RESULTS
Staff and Wire Report