Home Internationals 2010
Loretto Win for Home International 2010
March 29/30 at The Berkshire
The ISGA's most prestigious competition of the year is a culmination of the best finishing schools from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Campbell College Team representing Ireland Monmouth Team representing Wales
Wellington Team representing England Loretto Team representing Scotland
A two day scratch stroke play event this year hosted by Wellington College as winners of the Grand Finals last year.
The competition was held at The Berkshire with day ones competition being held on the Red Course. In true Home International tradition it was raining. The rain continued throughout the day so high scores were expected. The first day was played in 4 balls with one player from each country. As the first scores came in, young Scott Johnstone from Ireland shot a 76 beating all his fellow players even though he was the highest handicap player in the group.
A new experience for some of the players who are more used to parkland or links courses with plenty of trees and heathland heather to contend with. Supporters came along from most of the schools to cheer on their old schools
On paper it was going to be a close contest between Wellington College and Loretto who's average handicap was 1.5 but with both teams missing their top players it would be a good test. Loretto's George Munsey came in with the best score of the day (75) in tough conditions
Some of the elevated tees and greens gave some challenging shot making as a few feet missed could be very punishing
At the end of day 1 the scores were as follows
Scotland - 231 England - 234 Ireland - 251 Wales - 262
The best 3 scores per team of 4 counted towards the total. With Scotland only 3 shots ahead of England after day 1 all was to play for on the second day, and with England playing on their home course Loretto were going to have to play well to keep their lead.
Best scores from each country after day 1 were as follows
Wales - Joe Park 79 Ireland - Scott Johnstone 76 Scotland - George Munsey 75 England - Jordan Mann 76
css for day 1 Men 73 Ladies 74
After a long day all the teams went to a local Indian restaurant for a well deserved meal
Day 2
Tuesday 30 March
All players went out in reverse leader board order playing in 2 balls on the Blue course. The day had started with rain and it was touch and go as to whether the course would remain open after so much rain in the past few weeks. But the rain subsided and the sun even showed itself with only 1 shower during the round ,the players had a much more enjoyable round
The first hole was a par 3 over heather ,217 for the boys and 207 for the one girl playing for Loretto ( Lesley Akins). 8 of the players made par on the first including Lesley
With good weather on our side we were hoping for some better scores even though none of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh players had played the course before
As the scores came in we could see some happier golfers with better scores than the day before. Each country had a trophy to play for best player plus a trophy for lowest round for the tournament. Sami Bouzabia playing for Loretto came in with 72 which in the end no one could better
css for day 2 Men 71 Ladies 74
Sami Bouzabia from Loretto Scotland , best tournament
round score of 72
Joe Park from Monmouth won the Trophy for
Wales with 161
Scott Johnstone from Campbell College won the
Trophy for Ireland with 153
Lesley Atkins from Loretto won the Trophy for
Scotland with 151
Jordan Mann from Wellington College won the
Trophy for England with 149
The battle between Wales and Ireland went in Irelands young teams favour . Wellington could not narrow the gap and so let Loretto through to become this years winners by 8 shots. Loretto only lost out by 1 shot in last years competition so were delighted to be crowned winners of the ISGA Home Internationals
Next years competitors will be decided after the Grand Finals in April
Many thanks go to Iain Henderson of Wellington College for hosting this years event at the fabulous Berkshire courses. We would also like to thank The Berkshire for their kind hospitality over the 2 days
“It was third time lucky for us in the ISGA Home Internationals.
After competing in both
Wales next??
.