On Sunday, August 18th 52 junior golfers rocked up at Nailcote Hall and produced between them all a closely fought team tussle to rival anything in past Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup history.
It was the very first hosting of a Ryder Cup-style match up between the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour (pictured right) and the Shires Junior Golf Tour (below), two organisations that have seen many local kids between the ages of six to 18 get their first tastes of competitive golfing in recent years.
Now it was team time and 26 represented each tour, playing foursomes golf in the morning and singles in the afternoon on the famous Cromwell nine-hole par-three course.
The scores were tied at 6.5-6.5 following the morning session and the singles were just as tightly matched, scores ebbing and flowing all the way to the conclusion.
The ultimate honour went to 17-year-old Harborne GC nine handicapper Hrithika Bhugvandeen whose half-point at the final match was enough to get the Robert Rock tour to the magical winning mark of 20 points, a one-point victory margin.
Natalie Clarke, RRJT organiser summed up the occasion – “What an amazing day we all had at Nailcote playing against The Shires Tour In our first Ryder Cup, such a close match with it going down to one point difference. It was great to meet so many talented juniors and I know we would love to make this an annual match. A big well done to both teams.”
Shires Tour chief Paul Bull echoed similar sentiments – “ a day to remember for all players, parents and organizers, played in a great spirit and fun for all of us to watch. Shires Tour can’t wait to return to Nailcote next year for a chance to even up the score.”
