Scotland crowned Champions of Europe

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Scotland were crowned European Amateur Team Champions after claiming an emphatic 5-2 win over auld enemy England at Conwy Golf Club in North Wales on Saturday.
Adding to their World Championship success when Scotland triumphed in Australia at the end of last year to bring home the Eisenhower Trophy, Scotland’s six man team brought home their first European Amateur Team title in eight years to confirm their place as world leaders in the amateur game.
It was a final the Scots dominated throughout, claiming a 2-0 lead in the morning foursomes before going on to win the singles outright.
Gavin Dear and Glenn Campbell gave the team the ideal start by beating Dale Whitnell and Charlie Ford on the final hole of the opening foursomes tie, while Wallace Booth and Michael Stewart were registering a 2&1 victory over Bidwells Scottish Stroke Play Champion Tommy Fleetwood and partner Matt Haines.
SGU National Coach Ian Rae said, “Undoubtedly the double victory in the morning foursomes set us up perfectly for the afternoon singles and afforded us some breathing space. They played exceptionally well which really gave us the upper hand from the outset and we continued to build upon that momentum.”
Throughout the afternoon there was rarely cause for concern because of the dominance
Stewart and Ross Kellett were exerting in their matches against Whitnell and Fleetwood respectively, as they moved into four hole leads early in their matches.
Rae said, “There was no doubt that despite the calibre of their opponents these were matches that we looked set to win and were crucial in securing us points for our victory.”
World Cup winners Dear and Booth were the only players to suffer defeat in the singles campaigns, despite Dear taking his bout to the 19th hole, leaving it to last year’s Scottish Boys Champion Michael Stewart to claim the biggest win of the afternoon by adding a commanding 5&4 victory over Whitnell to the team effort. With Kellett surviving an impressive fightback from Fleetwood the opportunity fell to Edward Trophy winner Paul O’Hara to secure the victory when he sank the winning putt at the 17th.
“Paul sealed the deal but everyone today played their part in secu ring this great win for us, the whole event has been a great experience and a tremendous achievement to hold both world and European titles simultaneously,” said Rae.
“We selected a team which we felt could deliver at the highest level of the game and this victory today has cemented Scotland’s position at the top of the amateur game.”
With England having to settle for the runner up place, whilst Italy beat Norway to claim the bronze medal, the Scots showed that they reign supreme in the team game.

Scotland Team:
Wallace Booth (Comrie)
Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie)
Gavin Dear (Murrayshall)
Ross Kellett (Colville Park)
Paul O’Hara (Colville Park)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)