SENIOR HOME INTERNATIONALS - Royal Troon pair help Scotland to victory in inaugural combined event

Royal Troon members Paul Moultrie & Robert Jenkins helped the Scotland Woman’s and Men’s Senior team to victory in the inaugural Combined Senior Home Internationals matches, held at Pyle & Kenfig GC in Wales from the 13th to the 15th of September.

On the opening day Scotland defeated Wales 10 – 8. Paul Moultrie was paired with Kenny Gallacher (East Kilbride) in the foursomes on day one, losing out by 4&3 to Neil Roderick & Phil Sutton whilst Robert Jenkins and Ronnie Clark (Erskine) lost their foursomes tie by 2&1 to Mike White & Phil Evans, as the foursomes were shared 3-3. In the afternoon singles, which Scotland won 7-5, Robert Jenkins beat Gwyn Jones by 6&5 and Paul Moultrie added another crucial point in the anchor tie with a 4&3 win over Mike White.

In the other match on day one, Ireland beat England by 10-8.

On the second day Scotland faced England and took the morning foursomes 4-2, with Paul Moultrie teaming up with Ronnie Clark on this occasion and securing a 7&6 victory over Steve Sansome and Aide Firman, whilst Robert Jenkins and Nick Robson (Royal Aberdeen) combined for a 2&1 win over Ian Attoe & Trevor Foster. 

Scotland also won the afternoon singles by 6.5-5.5 to take the match overall by 10.5-7.5, with Paul Moultrie and Robert Jenkins both securing points, with victories by 3&2 over Warren Bladon and by one hole over Stephen Creed respectively.

Victory on day two for Ireland over Wales, by 13.5-4.5, set up a winner takes all final day meeting between Ireland and Scotland to decide the destination of the 2022 title.

On the final day Scotland stunned the Irish team in the morning foursomes, taking the series of matches by 5-1. Paul Moultrie again partnered Ronnie Clark, to record a single hole victory over Eamonn Haugh  & Jodie Fanagan, whilst Robert Jenkins and Nick Robson were a successful pairing for the second day running, beating David Mulholland and John O’Brien by 6&5.

Scotland completed the victory and took the Home Internationals title in the afternoon, winning the singles 6.5-5.5 for an overall match victory by 11.5-6.5.

Paul Moultrie finished the campaign with a 4&3 defeat by Declan O’Neill whilst Robert Jenkins bowed out with a single hole victory over David Mulholland.

England rounded of the championship with a 14.5-3.5 victory over Wales to secure third place overall.

The two Ayrshire players played a significant part in the win, Paul Moultrie contributing four points from a possible six, with Robert Jenkins going one better with five points from a possible six.

The full Scotland team for the matches was:-

Ronnie Clark (Erskine)

Karen Ferguson-Sneddon (Mortonhall)

Kenny Gallacher (East Kilbride) 

Stewart Henderson (Hamilton)

Robert Jenkins (Royal Troon) 

Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire)

Diane Macdonald (Dumfries & County)

Karen Marshall (Baberton)

John Mathers (Haggs Castle)

Elaine Moffat (ST Regulus)

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon)

Wendy Nicholson (Baberton)

Nick Robson (Royal Aberdeen)

Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies)

The title will be defended next year on home soil, in Ayrshire, when Scotland host the event at West Kilbride Golf Club from the 19th to the 21st of September 2023.