2005 - Kilspindie Golf Club, Scotland
Hickory Grail: Europe v USA. Kilspindie GC, East Lothian. Arr: David Kirkwood
The Fourth Hickory Grail
In an exciting finish, worthy of any Ryder Cup, Europe and the USA tied at 9 points apiece in the 4th Hickory Grail match at Kilspindie today and Europe retained the trophy that they narrowly won in St Andrews, Hastings on Hudson, New York, USA two years ago.
Europe went into lunch 4 games to 2 down, and the first few singles matches were evenly shared, with three exciting last green victories by William Tanner, Scott Patrick and Nigel Notley. The latter holed from off the green to secure his victory. Claes Kvist from Sweden and Chris Homer had comfortable wins, followed by another John Sherwood point for Europe on the 17th.
Needing only one point out of three to ensure that the Grail cup remained in Europe, the next two games were lost, but Bob Strachan, the professional at Duff House Royal, came through with a 2 & 1 victory over Bill Farmer. Trey Holland, Brian Siplo, Wayne Aaron and Mark Wehring were unbeaten on the USA side. Scott Patrick and Nigel Notley were the only two European two-time winners.
Foursomes result
Alan Jackson and Nigel Notley beat Winfield Padgett and Rob Ahlschwede 2/1
Peter Heath and Bob Strachan lost to Brian Siplo and Wayne Aaron 2/1
John Sherwood and John Still lost to Bill Farmer and Mark Wehring 2/1
Philip Truett and Scott Patrick beat Roger Hill and Chuck McMullin 4/3
Hamish Ewan and Tony Norcott lost to Ralph Livingston and Randy Jensen 6/4
John Mullock and John Hanna lost to John Miller and Trey Holland 1 up
Singles result
Bill Tanner beat Ralph Livingstone 2 up
John Pearson lost to Mark Wehring 7/6
Scott Patrick beat John C. Miller 1 up
David Kirkwood (European Captain) lost to Brian Siplo 4/2
Nigel Notley beat Randy Jensen 1 up
Neil Hutchinson lost to Winfield Padgett 3/2
Claes Kvist (Sweden) beat Rob Ahlschwede 4/3
Chris Homer beat Chuck McMullin (USA Captain) 5/3
John Sherwood beat Roger Hill 2/1
Clive Mitchell lost to Wayne Aaron I up
John Hanna lost to Trey Holland 3/2
Bob Strachan beat Bill Farmer 2/1
Matchresult 9-9 tie