Scotland beat England in the Auld Enemies Cup at London's Shire golf course earlier this month, with John Pennycott (Whiting Bay) in the victorious Scotland side.
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| John Pennycott (right) and team mate Jim Thomson from Millport with the Auld Enemies Cup |
As expected, it was a fiercely fought battle over 3 days of unique competition, with all the thrills and spills associated with the famous Ryder Cup, Incorporating disabled players from throughout the UK, it included a foursome format on the opening day, four ball on the second, with the winning team being crowned champions after the traditionally tense singles matches on the final days play.
This hugely competitive event included players with various disabilities such as amputees, stroke and car accident victims, members who are blind and golfers with cerebral palsy, as well as many other disabilities.
Team Scotland captain Stevie Cunningham said, "Team Scotland battled to a 3.5 to 2.5 lead after the foursomes and stole an emphatic lead at the fourball format of 4.5 to England's 1.5 score line. The singles were almost halved with only one point seperating the teams, which gave Scotland a 13.5 to 10.5 win and we brought the Cup home over the Border".
Team Scotland, selected from the Scottish Order of Merit Championship Tables and the Captain's 'picks', for 2014 was:
Stevie Cunningham of Alloa
Jim Gales of Springfield, Fife
Kevin Harmison of Bedlington, nr Newcastle
John Pennycott of the Isle of Arran
Bob Drysdale of Tayport, Fife
Jim Thomson of Millport
Kerr Scott of Busby, Glasgow
Derek Milne of Upper Largo, Fife
Trevor Crombie of Kirkcaldy
Alan Robertson of Stirling
Andy Gardner of Biggleswade
Paul Cunningham of London
Ian White of Cumbernauld.
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| The winning Scotland team at The Shire |
"Although it’s called the Auld Enemies Cup, we know a lot of the English team and the whole competition will be a good hearted affair, although I'm sure that everyone wants to go out and win their games. I know the banter and camaraderie will be great, especially when we 'send them hameward tae think again'!!
Alan Robertson from Stirling, said, "I had never played in a competition of this type before and was thrilled if not a little nervous. This type of event is a real showcase for disabled golf as it covers the whole spectrum of disabilities and is not restricted to just one".
The English team was led by Scot, Graeme Robertson, who said, "Congratulations to Team Scotland on a well fought and strong golfing victory. We were ahead at 2-1 after the three previous encounters (Slaley Hall in 2011, Breadsall Priory, Derby in 2012 and Kinross in 2013).
" I had put together an England team that represented what the Disabled Golf Association is all about - different abilities/disabilities, ages and parts of the country joining together. Maybe next time?"
