Setting aside any hints of partisanship (or almost anyway), our special betting correspondent – and noted professional golf analyst – Mark Wallis (South) has put together this excellent and comprehensive form guide ahead of the upcoming match. Enjoy!

THE 8th RYDER CUP CHALLENGE – FORM GUIDE REVIEW

VENUE – Close House (Colts & Filly course) 18th – 19th May

FIELD – North v South (24 players)

PREVIOUS WINNERS – North (5) 2015/13/11/09/05, South (1) 2003, 1 tied (2007)

COURSE OVERVIEW

Lee Westwood Colts course

A delightful Championship course that is set in the Tyne Valley, not overly long at just over 6,000 yards but as you would expect quite hilly and some holes through the surrounding woodland are stunning, penalising rough and undulating fast greens will make this a real test and should produce some exciting match play games.

Key Attributes – Accuracy & touch

Lee Westwood Filly course

A lot shorter parkland course with 2-3 drivable par 4’s (danger with water & out of bounds) but again beautifully designed which will offer birdies and disasters all the way round, a fine course that will be a delight to play

Key Attributes – Accuracy off the tee

STORY OF 2015

The Ryder Cup Challenge moved up a gear with the brilliant St Mellion the choice from the South captain Gav Whitworth, the new format of the foursomes in the morning worked well and the South were pleased to be 4-2 up going into the afternoon fourballs, the Norths captain Phil Lister superbly gathered his team to comeback and win the afternoon session and going into the Saturday singles the scores were all square at 6-6. A tense and thrilling last day on the magnificent Nicklaus signature course saw the event ebb and flow one way and then the other and with four matches to go the South led 11-9 but some stunning performances from Fearnside, Tattersfield, Mountain and Kaye winning all their singles the Cup was retained by the North 13-11, without doubt the best Ryder Cup Challenge to be staged so far.

2017 TEAMS

THE NORTH

STEVE TATTERSFIELD – CAPTAIN (12) – previous Ryder Cups – played 2 ….won 4 halved 2

Quickly promoted to Captain by the North this former Calco Cup winner is a man who only knows success, undefeated in two Ryder Cups he is born to lead and will be a tower of strength to his team, course requires immense accuracy rather than power which might cause a headache or two

ROB FLEMING – Vice Captain (7) – played 1 …..won 1 – halved 1 – lost 1

A mixed bag in his first Ryder Cup at St Mellion and with no Fozzy this year he carries the weight of being the lowest handicapper in the Norths side, not yet seen the best of him in the Calco Cup but a beautiful iron player and will be tough to beat on these type of courses.

ANDY FEARNSIDES – (13) – played 1 ….. won 3

Consistency is the name of the game and Fearny is that all over, the player of the tournament at St Mellion with three wins from three matches how he plays will be key to the Norths potential success, has looked a touch suspect under pressure in the Calco Cup but this format is right up his street.

ALAN DOIG – (16) – Rookie

A welcome addition to the Ryder Cup and a former Calco Cup winner is a tough competitor, has come out of the doldrums recently and had a fabulous Calco Cup in September finishing 4th, this format will suit as will the many beers drunk over the three days, big player barring any accidents!

STEVE HARDWICK – (16) – played 7 …. won 11 – halved 1 – lost 9

This has all started through Steve and Ben and we are grateful to him for this magnificent event which has grown into one of the highlights of the year, a terrific overall record to go with it as well he is as tough as they come, superb record in the fourballs as you would expect from the Calco Pairs champion having won 6 matches and only lost once but not such a good singles record having lost 5 times.

MICKY BALDWIN – (16) – Rookie

Rookies don’t come much better than Micky B and most welcome addition to the proceedings, a likely future Calco Cup winner he will be extremely tough to beat in all the formats although he will never see pressure like this in his golfing life! Formidable opponent for sure

PHIL LISTER – (17) – played 3 …. won 7 – lost 2

2015 triumphant captain has came in nicely on the handicaps and his straight iron play will really suit these courses, terrific overall record and not been beaten in fourballs, we might need Kev Ulla to get under his skin for cracks to appear though I doubt it, let’s hope he brings some new songs to the event as I’m sick of hearing ‘Hold me close etc etc! Certain to be partnered with his Calco Pairs winning partner Mr Hardwick and will be a tough nut to crack, emphasis on nut!

CHRIS RAMM – (18) – Rookie

Third rookie for the North and another who will love the occasion, disappointed in the Calco Cup a few times mainly with injuries (and a lack of sleep) but again this format will suit, has a swing to die for and could be really suited by the courses and will not be phased by the intensity of the occasion, interesting recruit!

DARREN MOUNTAIN – (18) – played 7 ….. won 14 – lost 7

One of only four to have played in all seven previous Ryder Cups and has the enviable accolade of being the all time top points scorer, strong in the fourballs and a great all round team player, shame we can’t get Darren on the Calco Cup but the Ryder Cup wouldn’t be the same without him, Mr consistency

JIMMY CURLEY – (19) – played 4 ….. won 5 – halved 1 – lost 6

Former winning captain Jimmy has a decent record in the Ryder Cup, certainly comes in off a favourable handicap and if injury free will be dangerous especially in the fourballs, always a pleasure to have him in the event and won’t let his captain and team down.

ANDY KAYE – (19) – played 1 ….. won 1 – lost 2

Had a tough introduction to the Ryder Cup in 2015 but scored a vital point in the singles to help the North to victory , had a good Calco Cup in September finishing inside the top 10 and certainly adds strength to the Northern side, some tighter holes on the Filly course will test his style of play and will use his generous handicap wisely

STEVE CALLAGHAN – (28) – played 4 …….won 6 – halved 2 – lost 2

Injuries looked likely to keep Calla out and the was he wasn’t he axed debate rages on, definitely in now as sadly we will see no Joe Curley, a great record in this event, amazingly to some, he adds strength to the team on the course and off the course we will all know he’s there, off 28 he is going to be tough to beat.

THE SOUTH

PETE BURKE – CAPTAIN – (7) – played 2 …. won 2 – halved 1 – lost 3

There’s no doubt our captain has left no stone unturned in an effort to see the South triumph in 2017, can he be the first one to win the coveted trophy for the South since it first began in 2003, he will lead from the front and our 2015 Calco Cup winner is in a class of his own when he is in the zone, a player everyone wants to partner and has the game to beat anyone on his day.

KEVIN ULLA – Vice Captain – (13) – played 3 ….. won 3 – halved 1 – lost 5

Now firmly established in the side our cockney hero will love these testing courses where accuracy will be at a premium as nobody is straighter, tough handicap compared to some but nobody from the North will want to play him and he will be one of the key players if the South are to be victorious.

JASON HEATH – (9) – Rookie

Two greyhound trainers in the side! A welcome addition to the South team who enjoyed the Calco Pairs last April, sure to fit in with all the lads and an excellent golfer on his day, has been practising like mad for this event and has a solid all round game, my nap to be top Rookie points scorer.

PAUL EPHREMSEN – (14) – played 2 …. won 2 – halved 1 – lost 3

Mixed bag in both Ryder Cup & Calco so far, was sensational at St Mellion winning 2 and halving 1 match and will need to bring that game to Close House, great striker of the ball when on song and certain to be a future captain, hits the ball a mile but more accuracy required on these courses

GAV WHITWORTH – (16) – played 4 …. won 7 – lost 5

Tremendous effort as captain at St Mellion and fine record overall in Ryder Cup, no one from either side is as tougher competitor than Gav and difficult courses are right up his street, reports are that his game is in fine shape which will spell big trouble for the North and an excellent partner for anyone in the South

MARTIN JOHNSTONE – (17) – played 2 … won 3 – halved 1 – lost 2

Another excellent match player with a good record and again very tough to beat, consistency is his weapon and every hole will be keenly contested, straight and accurate these courses are right up his street, my tip to come away with three points.

JIMMY HOLIDAY – (17) – played 2 ….. won 2 – lost 4

Our stunning current Calco Cup champion is riding on the crest of a wave and is playing some sensational golf, certainly will be comfortable on his handicap and can again put the Northerners to the sword both on and off the course, has a great short game which is essential here.

TERRY SAUNDERS – (18) – Rookie

Another Rookie joining the fray and sure to be popular, real team man and unflappable nerves will suit as well as a decent all round game, two or three years ago might only have dreamt about being in this kind of event after intense heart surgery, nicely handicapped if coming with his A game

MARK WALLIS – (19) – played 5 … won 6 – halved 2 – lost 7

Of course I wish my golf was as good as my greyhound training but unfortunately it’s not, injuries haven’t helped but a huge effort in fitness and practice should help the South to a famous victory, well we can all dream!

BEN MOYLE – (19) – played 7 …. won 9 – halved 1 – lost 11

Our founder member with Steve has been a rock for the southern side but has been on the slide in both this format and the Calco Cup but will bounce back this year after some intense practise and refocus, favourable handicap will further help and great things expected, again touch around the greens is his strength

PAUL RICH – (21) – played 2 ……… won 3 – halved 2 – lost 1

Only been beaten once in 6 Ryder Cup matches and has huge determination to keep that record going, very competitive and more of the same expected, if on song will be very hard to beat off a nice handicap, certainly will be the best dressed golfer on show!

DAVE BELL – (28) – played 7 … won 3 – lost 18

Started in first Ryder Cup way back in 2003 and a big part of the South’s continued quest to win the coveted trophy, has made a huge effort this year to be more competitive and has the full support of his team, no doubt the North will severely under estimate our resident bookie.
FORM GUIDE SUMMARY

The most eagerly awaited sporting event of 2017 is just around the corner and the scene is set for an epic battle between the North & South, forget the ‘Miracle in Medinah’ or ‘The War by the Shore’ the ‘Classic @ Close House’ will top the lot, yes 24 players are primed and ready to do battle at the magnificent Lee Westwood Close House on two of the best courses in the country, golfers of various abilities, as always, have been making extraordinary efforts to have there games in the best possible shape for the 8th Ryder Cup Challenge, you will not find two more competitive captains than Steve Tattersfield for the North and Peter Burke from the South and as you can see from the teams above a fine display of talent from both sides is on show so which captain will be celebrating with his team on May 19th?

History says the North are the most likely winners having won five of the previous seven Ryder Cup Challenges, a sterling effort saw them beat a strong Southern side at St Mellion in 2015 albeit only narrowly, but the signs are there that this can be even tighter between the two sides and history will count for nothing once the first tee shot is struck, the North are without one of their stalwarts Peter Forster and with no disrespect for any of the three Rookies losing ‘Fossy’ is a huge blow, having said that the introduction of Micky Baldwin, Chris Ramm and Alan Doig (Mark Wallis (N), Rick Oakes out) does give them a better overall balanced side and they will be ultra tough to beat, The formidable partnerships of Hardwick/Lister & Tattersfieild/Fearnside could well be seen in both formats on day 1 and if the South are to have any hope they must not let them score maximum points, the leading most points scorer Darren Mountain and veteran Jimmy Curley as well as Steve Callaghan have vast experience in this format while Andy Kaye and Rob Fleming will draw strength from their St Mellion campaign, the magnificent courses require accuracy all round and a hot flat stick and a tight short game will be key to the whole event and that may just favour the South.

So has Pete Burke assembled a team to come and conquer the Northern dominance of the event, the loss of Damian Thorngate & Simon Cole (both unavailable) is a negative but the addition of Terry Saunders & Jason Heath (introduced in the Calco Pairs) is a massive boost to the team, the form for some of the South in the Calco Cup has been stunning and Gav Whitworth, Kevin Ullah & champion Jimmy Holiday will take heart from that and lead the charge for victory along with our captain Peter Burke whilst the likes of Ben Moyle, Mark Wallis, Paul Ephremsen and David Bell, who’s form recently in the Portugal has been abysmal, have undertaken intense practice and plenty of refocusing for this event and are all probably better team players than individuals, Paul Rich and Martin Johnstone are solid and have great temperaments, the team unity is going to be tough for the North to break down.

Overall this has to go to the wire and every point, even every shot is going to be crucial in who lifts the coveted trophy, my feeling is a very narrow South victory, again you will not find 24 better lads than the ones assembled and despite some extreme banter there is no one in the North or South who doesn’t believe in fair and sporting play and whatever the result a good few beers will be sunk together afterwards.

Form Guide Prediction – North 11 1/2 South 12 1/2

FORM GUIDE BETTING (not likely to represent Bells Bookies odds)

Outright :-

North ..evens
South ..10/11
Tie …8/1

Top points scorer

Steve Tattersfield 5/1
Darren Mountain 6/1
Jason Heath 6/1
Pete Burke 7/1
Micky Baldwin7/1
Paul Rich 7/1
Phil Lister 8/1
Jimmy Holiday 8/1
Kev Ulla 8/1
Martin Johnstone 8/1
Andy Fearnside 10/1
Steve Hardwick 10/1
Paul Ephremsen 10/1
Rob Flemming 10/1
Alan Doig 12/1
Gav Whitworth 12/1
Terry Saunders 12/1
Andy Kaye 14/1
Ben Moyle 14/1
Jimmy Curley 16/1
Mark Wallis 16/1
Chris Ramm 16/1
Steve Callaghan 20/1
David Bell 25/1

Top Rookie

Jason Heath 2/1
Alan Doig 5/2
Micky Baldwin 3/1
Terry Saunders 4/1
Chris Ramm 6/1