ENGLAND HAT TRICK OF THREE HOME INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
It was a clean sweep this year as England beat their home
country rivals, Ireland, Scotland and Wales at all age levels,
Boys, Men’s and Seniors. In the space of just two months
England team’s play was outstanding proving they are
currently the dominant force in UK men’s amateur golf.
At the beginning of August England completed a resounding
defeat of Scotland by 11½ - 3½ in the Boys Home
International held at Portmarnock, Ireland and sealed a seventh
annual victory in a row. Matthew Baldwin, who was the only
playing captain among the four home nations, led his team
from the front and demonstrated his team’s real strength
as they won all three matches in the round robin event and
seven of the ten singles matches.
In early September England again beat Scotland on Scottish
home soil in the Men’s Home Internationals held at Prestwick.
English Amateur Champion James Heath led the way with a 4
and 3 win over Ryan Thomas of Scotland. Five more English
victories followed to secure a 10-5 win.
Finally at the end of September England regained the Seniors
Home Internationals at Aberdovey, Wales. England won all their
three matches to take the title with great comeback performances
by Jonathan Marks and Doug Arnold against Wales on the last
day.
England’s World Class performance Director Nigel Furniss
commented “The rivalry is always tougher at Home Internationals
but this year all our players have performed brilliantly to
achieve the hat trick, particularly as non of the victories
were on home soil. The dedication to coaching and development
this year has really shone through from our youngsters to
the most experienced”
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