The ISGA Home International Trophy

 

13 and 14 March 2008

The top finishing schools from each country in last years Schools Matchplay Tournament were invited to play for the Home International Trophy. This year being hosted by Campbell College Northern Ireland.

13 March

Royal County Down Golf Club

14 March

Royal Portrush Golf Club

 

                                    

Millfield Team Representing England

Campbell College Team Representing Northern Ireland

Loretto Team Representing Scotland

Day 1

All the Boys were looking forward to playing the 2nd ranked Golf Course in the World

Royal County Down. A good test of golf for anyone. The weather started with light rain which soon became harder when the wind picked up. Playing with horizontal rain in windy conditions on one of the hardest golf courses was going to be hard going. Teachers and supporters all went in after 8or9 holes to get warm and dry leaving the players to the elements. The back 9 saw the weather brighten up with less rain and even a bit of sun. Supporters returned to watch the boys come in

First days scores

  Garth Boyd N Ireland 77
  Max Broadfield England 79
  Daryl McMahon England 80
  Angus Cappi Scotland 81
  Sam Parsons England 83
  James Guterman Scotland 85
  Jack McKenzie England 86
  Simon Moore N Ireland 88
  Adam Wraight Scotland 93
  James Rodgers N Ireland 95
  Andrew Dickson N Ireland 106
  Peter Mackay Scotland NR
       
 

The course is a par 71 with sss73 css for the day rose to 76 with only one player playing under their handicap

Bearing in mind that Tiger Woods has shot an 84 around this course the quality of play was excellent.  Max Broadfield representing England came in with the best nett score and N.Irelands Garth Boyd came in with an impressive gross77.

 Comments from the boys after the first day :-

Fantastic test of Golf! In great condition. Best links course I've ever played, can be enjoyed by any standard golfer. Breaking 80 is not easy...S.P

Great Greens, Great tees, Great Fairways, Great Course, Great challenge too...M.B

Great course, best I've ever played, greens were great, shame about the weather..hope to play it again...J.M

It was easy to see why the course is ranked #2 in the world......simply quality....D.M

It was a very enjoyable experience, the course was in great condition and it was a true test of golf...A.C

I had a really good time and thought the course was in fantastic condition. It was definitely one of the toughest rounds I've played and am looking forward to tomorrow...A.W

Was great really enjoyed the experience and the weather...G.B

Was really gooood experience and was a great golf course to play..J.R

Course in good condition..yardage markers on fairways would've been helpful...S.M

Was a really good experience, course was in really good condition, just weather was bad but everything else was very enjoyable..J.G

We were looked after superbly by all the staff at Royal County Down and the ISGA Organisers.

The course was in fantastic condition too...P.M

The course was in sublime condition, the back nine in particular stood out, and it was in excellent condition despite the barrage of rain. I thoroughly enjoyed the day despite my play. I would like to thank the greenkeepers, chefs and members of staff for making the day possible...A.D

-----

The day ended with talk of the golf course. All teams attended the evening dinner at the famous Europa Hotel in Belfast when all were looking forward to the next day at Royal Portrush

Leaderboard after day 1

Millfield  England 79 80 83 86 242
Loretto Scotland 81 85 93 nr 259
Campbell College N.Ireland 77 88 95 106 260
           

 

Day 2

Royal Potrush

Royal Portrush were extremely accommodating...breakfast was laid on as we arrived at the golf course. The weather was good and the boys were looking forward to an equally challenging and scenic course.

The draw was changed from the first day so the boys went out in order from the best scores from the previous day. After day 1 Millfield School playing for England were 17 shots ahead of Loretto (Scotland) and 18 shots ahead of Campbell College (N.Ireland).  All players were aware that things can change very quickly in golf and went out with a fighting spirit.

   

After the first 11 holes it looked like Loretto and Campbell College were fighting back as they all seemed to be playing very steady golf

   

We were delighted to have the Golf Union of Ireland came down to watch some of the golf

   

The wind picked up a little during the morning but the players hung in. The course was a joy to play along the spectacular Northern Ireland coastline

   

As the first group came in Millfields 17 shot lead was cut to 7 shots and there were some nervous looking teachers waiting on the 18th green

   

After the second group came in the lead was back to 9 shots so all remained on the final groups

                            

After the 3rd group finished the 18th the Millfield lead was back up to 14 shots requiring the Loretto player to beat the Millfield player by 14 shots for a playoff. In the end Millfields Jack McKenzie came in with a 73 beating the Loretto and Campbell college players by 18 shots.

Individual results for day 2

  Jack McKenzie England 73
  Angus Cappi Scotland 76
  Garth Boyd N.Ireland 77
  Daryl McMahon England 77
  James Guterman Scotland 79
  Sam Parsons England 84
  Simon Moore N.Ireland 84
  Max Broadfield England 86
  Adam Wraight Scotland 89
  James Rodgers N.Ireland 91
  Peter Mackay Scotland 91
  Andrew Dickson N.Ireland 96
       

The course is a par 72 with sss73 css for the day rose to 75 with only one player playing under their handicap

Final Team results after 2 days of play

  day1         Total Final Total
Millfield  England 242 86 77 84 73 234 476
Loretto  Scotland 259 76 79 89 91 244 503
Campbell College N.Ireland 260 77 84 91 96 252 512
               

Royal Portrush very kindly laid on a meal for all the players teachers and guests.

Prize giving was attended by the General Secretary of the Ulster Golf Union Kevin Stevens along with Ivor McCandless Hon Match Secretary.

Peter Campbell of Campbell College thanked the Royal Portrush Golf Club for their generosity and the superb day they had given the boys.

He introduced Dr Tom Turner Royal Portrush Honarary Secretary who welcomed the boys to the golf club and congratulated them on their play, he then handed over to David Quin Chairman of the ISGA to announce the prize winners for the competition.

Individual Trophies were presented to

Garth Boyd (N.Ireland) gross 154

Daryl McMahon (England) gross 157

Angus Cappi (Scotland) gross 157

Team Trophy

 Millfield School  (England)

Additional prizes awarded

Best 2 players on each day who have not won a Trophy

Royal County Down

Max Broadfield  - crested Royal County Down Bag

Sam Parsons - Brass crested bag tag pitch repairer and marker

Royal Portrush

Jack McKenzie - crested travel bag cover

Simon Moore - Crested leather putter headcover

 

More pictures to follow..

The ISGA would like to thank the following people for making this the first Home International possible.

Royal County Down Golf Club, Royal Portrush Golf Club

Wilma Erskine from Royal Portrush for all her help in organising the day

Peter Campbell and John Montieth from Campbell College for organising a superb 3 days

Ulster Golf Union for their support.

----

Next years teams will be picked from the ISGA Finals at The Devere Wokefield  Park on 27 and 28 April

 
 

 

 

Ulster Golf Union

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royal County Down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royal Portrush