SFG CHALLENGE CUP 2008 FINAL RESULT

TEAM SFG 5½ - PRO CHALLENGE TEAM 14½

A stunning couple of days of golf sees the Pro Challenge Team defeat Team SFG 14½ - 5½ in the first SFG Challenge Cup.

Venue: Woodhall Spa- 7th - 8th October 2008 

PRO Challenge Team profiles - click here

TEAM SFG profiles - click here

SFG Challenge Cup 2008 Photo Gallery - click here 

Day One report (see below)

Day Two morning foursomes report - click here

Day Two afternoon singles report - click here

Day One - The arrival

Woodhall Spa, venue to the 2008 SingleFigureGolfer Challenge Cup witness a team of nervous SFG’s and experienced pro’s arrive at what Golf Monthly claims to be ‘the best inland course in the UK’.

This year’s event is an exhibition match played between two invitational teams and heralds the launch of the SFG (SingleFigureGolfer) concept.

Both teams are introduced to their respective captains, Peter McEvoy (5 time Walker Cup captain) meets and greets Team SFG whilst Jeremy Robinson (former Walker Cup player) looks after his assembled team of battle hardened professionals. Team uniforms for the two days are handed out then it’s off to the practise range for everyone whilst Peter McEvoy takes great delight in winding up the professionals in some early mind games.

“Any ideas of a fun knock around with some pro's was immediately banished when, our esteemed captain, Peter McEvoy turned up with the statement ‘OK guys, we're here to win - I've just seen their team and they look terrified - I was up for this!'” – Ian Davidson (Team SFG representing Golf Magic.com)

Day One - fourballs

After both teams had enjoyed a light lunch and having made full use of the fantastic practise facilities, battle commenced with both captains announcing their pairings. The format for the first days fourballs and the following days foursomes and singles was match play with the Pro Challenge Team all playing off +4 and a ¾ difference of handicap would determine the shots.

Paul Way & Steve Richardson (PRO) win 3 & 1 against Oscar Sharpe (+2) & Andy Wool (2) (TEAM SFG)

The first ball of the 2008 Challenge Cup was hit by Oscar Sharpe, Britain’s youngest ever player to be selected for the England under 18’s who beat the previous record held by Justin Rose. Oscars drive boomed down the middle of the fairway with his trusty 3-wood and when his partner Andy Wool (representing PowerPlay Golf) did the same is was ‘game on’.

Paul Way and Steve Richardson both who had represented Europe in the Ryder Cup were not to be daunted and duly followed suit hitting two great shots onto the fairway.

Sharpe and Wool took an early lead but were eventually pegged back by the Pros who won 3 & 1 with a flurry of late birdies.

Jim Payne & Ricky Willison (PRO) win 5 & 4 against Liam Hannan (8) & Davie Williams (1) (TEAM SFG)

The second match started in a similar vein to the first match with booming shots from Liam Hannan and Davie Williams who were determined to start their match in style.

“I’m nervous and hell but loving every second of this!” - Liam Hannan (Ireland, eBay charity winner)

Jim Payne and Ricky Willison were both equal to the challenge and with few comments and steely faces marched swiftly after their balls up the fairway.

With the match level at the turn, Team SFG were to come up against a superb performance by Jim Payne who couldn’t miss a put and with his partner Ricky Willison looking on chirping advice and support closed the game our 5 & 4

“We didn’t play well today, I thought we were a little over awed but Jim was simply terrific. I reckon he was 5 under for this round” - Davie Williams (St Andrews golf caddie, SFG invite)

Roger Chapman & Gordon Brand Jnr. (PRO) win 1 up against Adam Carson (+1) & Scott Campbell (Scratch) (SFG)

EGU juniors Adam Carson and Scott Campbell were paired together to play stalwarts Roger Chapman and Gordon Brand Junior and seemed to have the edge when Roger Chapman blazed his opening tee shot out of bounds.

The match proceeded to be extremely tight with only 2 shots in the game at any time. The turning point came on the 17th when a short putt was missed by Team SFG to go ahead in the match after Roger Chapman has narrowly missed his putt. All square down the 18th the Pro team took full advantage of the let-off hitting the green in regulation and winning the final hole to take the match.

The game proved to be a big turning point in day one in a match that McEvoy had predicted the amateurs would win.

Gary Wolstenholme & Alison Nicholas (PRO) lost 1 up against Holly Clyburn (+2) & Richard Latham (+2) (TEAM SFG)

Match four saw large crowd support for local favourite Holly Clyburn who partnering Richard Latham from Woodhall Spa felt they had an edge with home course advantage. The Pro’s had partnered next year’s Solheim Cup captain Alison Nicholas with recently turned pro Gary Wolstenholme and from the opening tee shots knew they had a game on their hands.

The match swung both ways and with the game all square down the last and the home crowd becoming more vocal it seemed the match would finish with honours even.

The turning point of this match was on the 17th tee when Holly Clyburn birdied the last two holes to win the match 1 up.

“The highlight of the launch event must have been my eagle on the 9th and then Gary to have one on the 10th, one after the other as well as Alison's eagle on the 6th.” – Holly Clyburn (EWGA)

Philip Walton & John McHenry (PRO) win 2 & 1 against Ian Davidson (7) & Fred Clatworthy (7) (TEAM SFG)

The final match of the day saw the two rookies, both of whom were competition winners go against a strong pairing of Walton and McHenry who showed no signs of playing this like a pro-am. First tee nerves didn’t help Davidson (Golf Magic winner) but his partner Clatworthy (Golf Monthly winner) ensured the pro’s had a fight on their hands.

The experience of Walton and McHenry paid off in the end in fading light with the amateurs always fighting hard to stay in the match and finished the match winning 2 & 1.

Day one score – Team SFG 1 – Pro Challenge Team 4

“I felt 3 -2 to the Pro’s would have been a fair reflection on today’s play, but I’m confident my team can pull out the stops tomorrow” commented McEvoy.

The Gala Dinner

Peter McEvoy's team arrived a little late as he’d got them together in a private room to discuss the day’s event, tomorrows pairings and share some insights into his Walker Cup experiences.

The gala dinner was held at a local hotel and saw players from both teams relax and discuss the days golf. Whilst a lot of the stories cannot be divulged on a public forum, the highlights of the evening came from Steve Richardson who told of his epic battle with Corey Pavin and Paul Way informing us a spat between Ray Floyd and his wife during his Ryder Cup singles match. Then Ricky Willison proceeded to tell all how he couldn’t get past security at the Open….. even though he was playing!

Day Two report continues - click here