Ratcliffe College Ryder Cup triumph at Dundonald Links
The Ratcliffe College Ryder Cup Golf Tour was played in Scotland this year, based at the world renowned Dundonald Championship Links Club. The Ryder Cup format was played between teams representing Europe and USA for the coveted Mir Patel Golf Trophy.
The European Captain, Sam Leake, (4 handicap) led a team of Aadi Thakrar (24), Dr Jones, Head of Mathematics (10), Oli Heath (30), Harrision Poutch (18), Albert Hilton (22) and Jaiden Heaphy (36). Quin Capsticks (14) led team USA with Will Pearce (18), Mr Reddin, Headmaster, (12), Ethan Leung (22), Oscar Carlisle (30), Joe Driver (20) and Will Seager (22). Since the first tour in the summer of 2011, the USA have won the trophy on 6 occasions with Europe victorious in 4 matches and 2 matches halved with USA retaining the trophy on both occasions. There was no tour in 2020 due to the pandemic. There was great excitement as we packed the minibus and trailer on Monday 1st July as the much anticipated tour began.
Day 1 – Southerness Golf Club
An uneventful mini-bus journey to the Solway Firth was followed-up by a fabulous round at Southerness Golf Club on a wet and blustery afternoon. Game one, a two-ball, paired Dr Jones in his first Ryder Cup against the stalwart Capsticks, a veteran of 5 tours. With only four shots separating them on paper, the game went down the last hole with Dr Jones winning 2-up to give Europe the first point of the day. Game two, the first of the day’s fourballs, was also close with Hilton and Thakrar for the Europe facing down the veteran Pearce and newbie Carlisle. With some nice golf played, Europe triumphed again winning 3&2. Game 3 brought together an inexperienced Ryder Cup fourball of Heath and Heaphy for Europe against Leung and Seager for the USA. Only Heaphy had Ryder Cup experience following his tour of East Yorkshire last summer, so the two Captains were keen to see how this game turned out. Leung’s accurate iron play proved to be the difference as USA won 2 up to get the Americans on the scoreboard. Game 4 paired the European Captain Leake with rookie Poutch against the Reddin, now on his 13th Ryder Cup, and another rookie, Driver, who had shown promise at the House Golf last month. The lead swung to and fro, but the laser accurate Leake won the day, holing out on the 17th green from 8 feet to take the spoils and give Europe a 3 – 1 lead at the end of the first day. Nearest the pin was not claimed as the strong wind provided all 14 golfers with a challenge that no one could overcome. Many golfers made the fringe of the green, but none made the dance floor! Mirroring the first round at Bridlington last summer, the longest drive was another mighty swipe by Leake. This was to become a recurring theme throughout the week for the European Captain. Prizes were awarded by Calloway Golf.
Post-match victuals were enjoyed in the clubhouse, with burgers and the steak and ale pie favourites. The two-hour drive to the Ayrshire coast and our accommodation on the Dundonald Links passed quickly. Upon arrival, we were all delighted to see that we had our own putting green outside our lodge – brilliant! Once luggage was stowed away, the putters came out and a happy hour was spent honing skills in the twilight.
Europe 3 vs. USA 1.
Day 2 – Kilmarnock-Barassie Golf Club
The clubhouse at the Dundonald Links nestles amongst the dunes overlooking the 1st Tee and the 9th Green. A modern contemporary design, the Clubhouse was the perfect place to eat breakfast each morning in the acclaimed Canny Crow restaurant. The food was outstanding, and the boys certainly made the most of it, as we were treated to a full Scottish breakfast whilst watching the professionals outside who were competing in the last of the Open Championship qualifiers on the championship course. Some boys had their photographs taken with the Open Championship Trophy! The Open this year is at Royal Troon, just 10 minutes away from the Dundonald. Indeed, our second course was in Troon, the wonderful Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club. We were greeted by Club Professional Gregor Howie, who made sure we had everything we needed prior to our match starting. The Captains and Vice-Captains had been considering their team selections carefully and had changed things up for day two. Leake put himself out first in the two-ball against Seager who had impressed with his victory on Monday. However, it was Leake’s day, playing imperious golf to take the victory and push Europe’s noses further ahead. Game 2 saw the beginning of a USA comeback, with Leung and Driver beating Dr Jones and Heaphy 1 up. This was then followed by another victory for the US team as Reddin and Pearce beat Hilton and Poutch 5&3. With the overall score now 4 – 3 to Europe, all eyes were on the final fourball. In a close game, Thakrar and Heath overcame US Captain Capsticks and his partner Carlisle 2& 1 to give Europe a 5 – 3 lead going into day 3. Much to Reddin’s chagrin, Leung pipped him to closest to the pin with a fine iron to the par 3 6th hole. Leake’s driver took the spoils again for longest drive. Well done, both players.
The weather on Day 2 had improved a little compared to Monday, but the intermittent rain showers and brisk wind off the coast created challenging conditions. The fairway pot bunkers also provided a test for those unfortunate enough to fall into these cunningly placed traps. The second cut provided a test to find a ball let alone play a shot and the gorse was only for those with thick trousers! A true test of links golf.
A short drive to Irvine and fine dining at ‘The Niche,’ another venerated eatery renowned for its burgers, especially the 12oz ‘skyscraper’. The boys did not need a second invitation as Tuesday evening is two for one on burgers. The portions were generous and for once there was little room for dessert. Upon arrival back at the accommodation, some headed straight to the chipping and putting area whilst other watched the football with a cup of tea. Sixth Formers found the pool table before we all retired, ready to sleep after a long but happy day.
Europe 5 vs. USA 3.
Day 3 – Gailes Links Golf Club
With the match still well balanced at 5 – 3 to Europe, breakfast on day three provided the Captains and Vice-Captains an opportunity to review their pairings for the last day of fourball action. Capsticks, USA skipper, had more to ponder than most, as he wrestled with his decisions and how to claw back the lead from Europe before the singles matches on the last day. Of course, whilst the pairing for each day is a key factor, whoever you play and whichever order you play them does not detract from the fact that each golfer must still perform and win their tie.
The Gailes links sits on the coast just a short drive from the Dundonald Links. A Championship course, the Gailes is an Open Championship qualifying course. This golfing gem was always going to be great fun to play. We descended upon the Gailes links full of energy and belief that today would be our day, come rain or shine. As it turned out, it was more rain than shine and all the golfers showed great strength to play through tough conditions. Heaphy’s stunning victory for the USA in game one against Heath, brought the US team back into the overall match at 5 – 4. Regrettably, Reddin missed a 10-footer on the 18th to win the hole and game 2 with partner Capsticks, so the match was halved against the much-fancied Leake and Hilton. Game 3 was a fine 3&2 victory for Thakrar and Poutch over Pearce and Seager. This was followed by a thumping win for Europe in game 4 as Dr Jones and Hilton won 9&8 against Leung and Carlisle. So, the day ended with plenty of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ and ‘what might have been’ for the USA, who fell further behind despite a promising start, to trail 7 ½ points to 4 ½ points. Hilton’s day got even better as he claimed the title for nearest the pin. Leake retained his crown for longest drive with another accurate hit to split the fairway.
A short minibus journey into Troon on Wednesday evening took us to the ‘Lido’ restaurant for Mediterranean inspired eating and drinking! Several golfers chose the chilli king prawn and chorizo spaghetti although, despite its fierce reputation for is spiciness, Leung was not impressed. Haddock and chips were another favourite as were the wood fired pizzas. The dessert menu provided some head scratching as the instant appeal of the chocolate bomb was matched by the allure of the chocolate fudge cake. The long wait for our ‘puds’ was worth it as portions were generous and delicious. Our ‘sugar rush’ led to louder voices on the journey home and high spirits in the local Morrisons where we stopped to buy rations for the last day of golf. The miniature shopping trolleys proved to be a hit with the boys who looked quite at home browsing the aisles for ‘bargains.’ A chipping and putting competition proved enjoyable on our return ‘home,’ despite the chilly wind. Some boys visited the driving range to ensure they satisfied their golfing fix for the day.
Europe 7 ½ vs. Europe 4 ½.
Day 4 – Dundonald Links Golf Club
The final day arrived with grey skies and heavy rain. So persistent was the rain that Reddin drove the minibus to the Clubhouse, so we did not start in wet clothes. With an earlier Tee time of 9.00am, some boys found it harder than others to wake and pack. The forecast was for wet and windy conditions throughout the day, so we braced ourselves for what lay ahead. Despite our meteorological worries, sunshine and a warm cheerful smile greeted us on the 1st Tee of the tour’s signature course in the form of Gary the official starter. Gary made everyone feel like a professional golfer, handing out goodie bags containing scorecards, tees and pencils and happily posing for photographs and he made quips about the Scottish football team. Gary certainly raised everyone’s spirits and as we teed off, the notion of a USA comeback was certainly a possibility with the singles pairings. Game 1 was a rookie affair with Poutch and Driver slugging it out for the spoils. Driver won 4&3 to give the US team hope. In game 2 Pearce overcame Thakrar to give the US another point, whilst in game 3 Capsticks slowed the Leake juggernaut as they halved their match. So, Europe now led 8 – 7. Could the USA turn it around? Ultimately, the answer to that question was no. However, the outcome of the match was not clear until the final pairings came home. Game 4 saw Hilton beat Leung 4&3 to extend Europe’s lead, only for Seager to win against Heath in game 5 to pull the score back to 9 – 8 in Europe’s favour. The conditions had deteriorated by the middle of the round, and it is safe to say that by the time the golfers reached the 11 and 12th holes the strength of the wind and persistent rain threatened to break the strongest of wills. It is testament to all the golfers that we kept going, finally rewarded on the last few holes with brilliant sunshine and calm conditions if only for an hour. Game 6 and 7 were close on the front nine but Heaphy and Dr Jones pulled away at the turn and played the conditions well to win 6&5 and 5&4, respectively. And so, after 4 days, 26 separate games, 468 holes and thousands of individual shots and 3 full Scottish breakfasts, Europe triumphed 11 – 8, having never relinquished a lead they took in the first game on Day 1. Poutch won nearest the pin and yes, you have guessed it, Leake prevailed again to win longest drive. Seager was crowned golfer of the week and profited the spoils, cap, tees, and balls – a worthy winner for his positivity and fine play throughout the week.
The Presentation of the famous Mir Patel Claret Jug in Assembly on Friday morning capped a successful and happy week for this year’s golf tour. Despite the challenging conditions, all the golfers acquitted themselves well, demonstrating golfing skill whilst playing the game in fine spirit. They were a credit to themselves, their families, and their school. The Manager of the Dundonald Links made the effort to find me before we departed. He thanked me for bringing the tour and made a point of saying how impressed he and his staff had been with the behaviour and attitude of our tour party. While this is no less than I would expect to hear of a Ratcliffe student, the feedback is, nonetheless, well-received and noteworthy of praise. A special mention to Pearce, Capsticks, and Thakrar who, as Year 13s, bid farewell to Ratcliffe College this year. Pearce and Capsticks have been regulars on tour for many years and have contributed a great deal to school golf. Thank you, boys, for all your endeavours. We wish you well for the future and hope that you will continue to enjoy the game of golf for years to come.
Thank you to all the tourists this year, including Dr Jones for his support of the boys. Where shall we go next year?
