Celebrations begin
Celebrations continued late into the night at Oulton Hall following the North’s famous victory and capture of the Cup. Drinking had begun as early as teatime with an impromptu gathering at the clubhouse bar, where players from both sides mixed freely as they welcomed the last Singles matches off the 18th, the North’s win Continue reading
It wasn’t that close, seriously
By close of play Saturday the North had secured victory and taken the Cup for the first time in its short history. The scoreline, apparently so comfortable, was perhaps a little unkind to the South, who had attempted to mount a brave rearguard action in the Singles but finally capitulated.
Things had begun ominously for the South as the opening Fourballs, Friday morning, saw a North whitewash averted only by a dogged Continue reading
The hotel noticeboard welcomes the gallant South
After much searching the North selected the De Vere Oulton Hall hotel as the venue for the 2005 event. The hotel itself is a spectacular Grade II listed building set in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside just a few miles south of Leeds. It survives as an impressive reminder of the once considerable power & prestige of the north – symbolism that was surely not lost on team South as they arrived on Thursday evening.
The southerners were readily welcomed by friendly and helpful staff and spent the evening over Continue reading
That’s how close it was, really
Hostilities resumed at a more civilised hour on Saturday morning, with the eight Singles matches to be played over the 18 holes of the Lakes Course, and the overall score standing at 3½-4½. In the clash of the captains Moyle beat a distinctly the-worse-for-wear Hardwick 5&4 whilst Forster kept the North noses ahead with a brilliant display which saw off Lake 3&2.
After Hewson had beaten Hooley to level the match score at 5½ each, blows were exchanged as Callaghan Continue reading
Friday, 1st tee photo call
In the morning Fourballs, over the Links course, the North got off to a flyer, despite Forster’s absence from the first tee due to an unscheduled visit to the bushes. He recovered to post a 2 up victory, with partner Callaghan, over Batch & Moyle.
Although Cole & Hewson chalked the first point to the South with a 5&4 win over Hooley & Marcus, Mountain & Wilkinson beat Continue reading
Five Lakes Golf Resort
The inaugural North vs South Ryder Cup Challenge event took place at Five Lakes Resort in Essex, The South being the ‘home’ side, although much of the team had travelled up from Kent and London. Five Lakes is a modern hotel venue boasting two 18 hole courses, set in rather barren countryside out towards the Essex marshes.
The hotel itself was very smart Continue reading