Secondary schools battle it out in "Ryder Cup"
High school golfers from Edinburgh overcame their East Lothian counterparts in a season-ending ‘Ryder Cup’ encounter at Longniddry Golf Club.
In breezy conditions on the shores of the Firth of Forth, 32 players, 16 from each region, battled it out for the replica Ryder Cup trophy over eight singles and four foursomes matches.
In true Ryder Cup style, it was the result of the singles which proved most pivotal to the destination of the silverware. Edinburgh emerged 8-4 victors although it was a battle to the end with 4 singles matches being decided on the last green and 2 on the 17th.
Each of the junior golfers had qualified for the grand finale through their respective High School Order of Merits, which have been reinstated in recent years though the work of Edinburgh Active Schools and East Lothian Council in conjunction with ClubGolf.
An Order of Merit (OOM) was first established by East Lothian Golf Development Officer Kate Green in 2012 in order to promote golf in schools, inviting all children of high school age with a handicap to participate in events throughout the year.
Recognising its popularity, Edinburgh initiated a High School League of its own in the Spring of 2013 through Active Schools Co-ordinator Shona Clark. After a successful first year, the new league season commenced with two events in September, with a further three scheduled in early 2014.
With each OOM under way, ClubGolf Regional Manager for the East of Scotland, Lesley Nicholson, introduced the concept of a season-ending ‘Ryder Cup’ event, with the first encounter to be played on East Lothian’s home turf at Longniddry.
The Stephen Gallacher Foundation, which seeks to encourage more children in the Lothians and Borders to reach their golfing ability, also lent it support to the event and contributed goody bags for all competitors on the day.
MATCH RESULTS
EAST LOTHIAN 4 v 8 EDINBURGH
FOURSOMES (EAST LOTHIAN NAMES FIRST)
East Lothian 3 v 1 Edinburgh
1. Andrew McKenzie and Calvin Selwood beat Kayleigh Singer and Lewis Johnson 3&2
2. Joseph Cameron and Jack Noon beat Callum Brown and Ian Venables 2&1
3. James Smith and Daniel Gaines lost to Chris Combe and Lewis Gray 2&1
4. Cameron MacIver and Cameron Miller beat Matthew Erskine and Lewis Gill 3&2
SINGLES (EAST LOTHIAN NAMES FIRST)
East Lothian 1 v 7 Edinburgh
5. Scott Young lost to Kerr Bryant 1 hole
6. Callum Wilson lost to Malcolm Stuart 2&1
7. Neil Bowden lost to Craig Docherty 1 hole
8. Greig Govenlock lost to Rory Henderson 2&1
9. Gary Brownlee lost to Keiran Cantley 3&2
10. Marc Reid lost to Michael Watt 3&2
11. Carter Jerome lost to Jack McVey 1hole
12. Lewis Reid (Captain) beat Mark Napier (Captain) 2holes
