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SCOTLAND RETAIN RAYMOND TROPHY
BY BEATING ENGLAND 10-5
Scotland have retained the Raymond Trophy as winners of the men’s home amateur international matches at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club in South Wales.
It is the first time the Scots have won the title two years in a row since the 1981-82.
They beat England far more easily than was anticipated – 10-5 after taking a 2pt lead in the foursomes.
England had lost the foursomes in their first two matches with Wales and then Ireland – and come back strongly in the singles for overall victory.
But Scotland’s strength in depth meant there was no weak tail for the English to mop up on the third day.
Richie Ramsay, promoted to the lead-off singles, responded with a 3 and 1 win over Ross McGowan after being two down at the turn.
Scott Jamieson, one up after nine, lost by 2 and 1 to the Walker Cup youngster Oliver Fisher.
Glenn Campbell, the most successful player for Scotland over the three days, beat Jamie Moul by 1 hole after being square at the turn.
Lloyd Saltman, “batting” No. 4, won by 2 and 1 over Gary Wolstenholme who lost two of the first three holes.
Scottish match-play champion Kevin McAlpine lost by 3 and 2 to Walker Cup player Robert Dinwiddie 3 and 2.
Scott Henry, who came on to his game over the last three sessions of play, beat Ben Parker by 2 and 1 after being one up at the turn.
Keir McNicoll went down by 6 and 4 to Adam Gee who was four up at the turn.
Jonathan King, who had not been having the best of home series, came good in the end when his country needed him. He beat Paul Waring by one hole after being two down on the seventh tee.
John Gallagher, the third most successful Scots player during the week, halved with Gary Boyd after being four up on the seventh tee.
George Murray, a great man to have in the tailgunner’s position, won by two holes against Ed Richardson.
Wales beat Ireland 8-7 to relegate the Irish to the bottom rung of the final table.
Scottish skipper George Crawford was, understandably, elated in his post-match comments.
“I always felt we could do it,” he said. “I was confident but there is always a premium on putting. You also need a little luck and we got the breaks at times, especially against Ireland. But this is a great boost for Scottish golf on the back of Richie Ramsay’s win in the US Amateur.”
Details:
SCOTLAND 10, ENGLAND 5
Foursomes: Scotland 3 ½, England 1 ½ (scroll down to get the details in our lunchtime report).
Singles (Scotland 6 ½, England 3 ½).
Ramsay bt McGowan 3 and 1.
Jamieson lost to Fisher 2 and 1.
Campbell bt Moul 1 hole.
Saltman bt Wolstenholme 2 and 1.
McAlpine lost to Dinwiddie 3 and 2.
Henry bt Parker 2 and 1.
McNicoll lost to Gee 6 and 4.
King bt Waring 1 hole.
Gallagher halved with Boyd.
Murray bt Richardson 2 holes.

WALES 8, IRELAND 7
Foursomes: Wales 2, Ireland 3 (scroll down to our lunchtime report for the details).
Singles: Wales 6, Ireland 4.
Davies bt McIlroy 2 and 1.
Edwards bt Ward 7 and 6.
Thomas halved with Shaw.
Cousins lost to Caldwell 5 and 4.
Gould lost to Crowe 2 holes.
Mills bt Lowry 3 and 2.
Dykes bt Murray 4 and 3.
Enoch lost to Doran 3 and 2.
Evans halved with Kearney.
Matthews bt Power 2 and 1.