Success in April!

I am republishing this article as we look forward to the next Watson Cup Match on the 5th, 6th and 7th July 2022 over three great courses – Royal Burgess, Muirfield and Gullane No. 2. Progress of the 2022 Matches will be seen on our Home Page. Dave Warren June 21 2022.

There was a reunion of the 2018 Team at North Berwick on the 4th January 2021 when most of the 2018 Team turned up to play. It was good to see that the friendships formed on the USA trip are maintained. 

Update – the video of the presentation ceremony is now here on youtube. Thanks to Martin Dempster, an article has appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News here. Erik Lang has posted a youtube article here.

New Photos. Courtesy of Royal Burgess member Derek MacGillivray, more photos are now available – see after the narrative below.

On Sunday 14th and Monday 15th October 2018, the inaugural Watson Cup Matches were played between the East Lothian Junior Golf League and the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. 

The weather, just days after Hurricane “Michael,” was fantastic, in the 90s and humid. The Atlantic Ocean breezes helped to keep Players cool. Gallons of sunscreen were available for our fair-skinned and ginger-haired Players!

Tom Watson had agreed that his name could be used for a beautiful trophy sourced specifically for the Match. Tom attended the second day at Cassique, a course he designed, which has some features from Open Championship venues! Tom met and watched all 16 players during the 8 x singles matches.

The format was – 4 x four-ball better-ball matches at the Ocean Course at Kiawah, using scoring of 1 point for the front 9, one for the back 9 and 1 point for the match. So there were 12 points available in the 4 matches. 

Andrew Scott was 3 under par on the front 9 with his own ball as he partnered Cameron Spencer in their match. Cameron then holed some crucial putts on the back 9 to enable their side to gain a halved match. Jack Rogan, with the consistent David Rudd as his partner, had 4 successive birdies on the back 9, to gain our only four-ball win.

Results – East Lothian names first. 

Jack Rogan and David Rudd beat Pake June and Gene Zeigler – 2.5/0.5       

Andrew Scott and Cameron Spencer halved with Rye Tifft and Nick Velasquez – 1.5/1.5

Cammy Gallagher and Aaron Hall lost to Daniel Brasington and Jonathan Brennan – 0.5/2.5

Connor Wilson and Jamie Duguid lost to Zander Briggs/Logan Hawkins – 0.5/2.5

Four-ball Result ELJGL 5 – SCJGA 7

On Monday, the 8 x singles matches were played at Cassique Golf Club.  The scoring system was the same as the four-balls. Our star performer was David Rudd in the top match as he was 6 under par after 15 holes. He was watched by Tom Watson as he holed a 140 yard pitch shot, and watched again by Tom a few holes later as he chipped in for the match. Connor Wilson played brilliantly to be 7 up at the turn, but although he lost the back 9, he held on to win, but only by 3&2. Cammy Gallagher and Aaron Hall also played well for good wins. Cameron Spencer suffered a prolonged nosebleed on the 6th hole and in keeping with the true spirit of the game of golf, a sporting gesture by the SCJGA officials and his opponent Nicholas Velasquez was made, to let following matches through before Cameron bravely played on, but he lost in the end. Jamie Duguid and Andrew Scott were up against some great scoring by their opponents and were defeated, but the ELJGL Captain, Jack Rogan, was only narrowly beaten by an incredible “up and down” on the last hole by his opponent. 

ELJGL names first. 

David Rudd beat Daniel Brasington 3-0,

Jamie Duguid lost to Pake June 0-3,

Andrew Scott lost to Gene Zeigler 0-3, 

Cameron Spencer lost to Nicholas Velasquez 0-3,

Aaron Hall beat Logan Hawkins 2.5-0.5,

Cameron Gallagher beat Rye Tifft 3-0,

Jack Rogan lost to Zander Briggs 1-2,

Connor Wilson beat Jonathan Brennan 2-1

Singles Results Total ELJGL 11.5 – SCJGA 12.5

Four-ball Results Total – ELJGL 5 -SCJGA 7

Overall Result – ELJGL 16.5 – SCJGA 19.5. 

Well done to the South Carolina Team! 

Our Team should not be too despondent after their narrow defeat away from home. The overall result turned on just a few shots. The real winners at these matches were the “Spirit of the Game,” the bonding of our Players and Coaches, and the friendships formed between both Teams and Officials. Scotland and South Carolina have long been associated throughout history, and long may it continue. The Scottish flag flew at both venues, alongside the Stars and Stripes, and the South Carolina State flag.

In July 2022, we look forward to welcoming the SCJGA Team and Officials to Scotland. Our League will combine with the Edinburgh Junior Golf League to try to win the trophy over two superb venues at Royal Burgess and Muirfield. 

The website at watsoncup.com has some beautiful photographs of the venues and of our handsome young Players! I exclude the coaches here! After the matches, there was a presentation ceremony at which Tom presented the trophy to the winning South Carolina Team, and then Cassique laid on a superb lunch for all. 

Pat McKinney, one of the sponsors of the event, made a nice gesture when he presented Cameron Spencer with a Cassique shirt, coloured red so the blood would not show up next time he had a nosebleed. 

Over lunch, I chatted to our two supporters, Derek MacGillivray and Colin Hogg, both members of Royal Burgess, who happened to be on holiday in the area with their families. They both assisted where possible during the days of the Matches. They did so well they have been co-opted (kidnapped) to be on our Watson Cup Committee for the next Matches.

So the Team have all returned home safely after a trip of a lifetime, taking in both South then North Carolina. They made friends and long term associations with many Players and other influential parties who I am sure, will readily assist them in their future golfing careers. East Lothian and Edinburgh will do our best to reciprocate, and facilitate visits from South Carolina Players and Officials to “Auld Reekie” and “Scotland’s Golf Coast.”

Copy of email sent out to the Press on 25th October (abridged). Dear Editors, please find attached a report and some photos of the recent Watson Cup matches played between a Team from the East Lothian Junior Golf League (ELJGL) and the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. (SCJGA) at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and at Cassique Golf Club. (Bcc’d to Tom Watson and Bernard Gallacher.)

 

There is a dropbox here of some 1500 photos, courtesy of Allen Knight, Tournament Director and Official Photographer of the SCGA. This includes headshots of all the Players in a separate folder. Both Allen and I will be pleased if you can use any of the photos. Note the salt marshes in the background of many photos which were full of wonderful birds and other wildlife including alligators and snakes!

 

Our Team and Coaches enjoyed a complimentary practice round at each of the two venues. In brilliantly sunny, and very hot weather, all Players walked and carried their own golf bags during all the rounds, as no caddies or carts were allowed. 

Including Team Coaches Dave Warren and Gareth Jack, some of the local wildlife, some long carries, Dave Warren presenting Tom Watson with gifts, meeting Erik Lang at Pinehurst No. 2.

 

 

The flags of the USA, South Carolina, Scotland, and banners of the two Teams at the Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, the omnipresent “Rolex” clock, and the welcome sign outside the magnificent Clubhouse at the Ocean Course.

 

The Watson Cup logo. A combination of the Scottish Thistle and the Palmetto Tree, the South Carolina State emblem. This logo appears on most of the clothing, all of which was gifted to both Teams by the Under Armour Company. Thanks!

 

The Team clothing – 4 shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, shoes, and 2 long sleeved tops! 

 

On the evening before the Matches began, there was a banquet for all the Players in the Osprey Point Clubhouse, one of 5 superb courses on the Island. The welcome the players received was incredible, as the Teams were given a grand entrance following a Bagpiper. All the Officials, Supporters and Sponsors were present. Dave Stockton, the former winning Ryder Cup Captain at Kiawah and twice PGA Champion, was the guest speaker. The ceremonies were led by Biff Lathrop of the SCJGA who introduced Ben Zeigler (SCJGA) the Tournament Chairman, and David Warren, (Secretary ELJGL) who both made speeches. The draw was then made for the four-ball matches.

 

The welcome placard and sponsors names.

 

The menu and cover of the details of the event, showing the Ocean Course and Cassique logos at the foot.

 

 

The ELJGL Team before the banquet wearing very special Watson Cup ties! Back row L-R David Warren (Secretary) Connor Wilson, Jamie Duguid, Jack Rogan (Team Captain,) Cammy Gallagher, Gareth Jack (Team Coach.) Front row L-R Andrew Scott, Cameron Spencer, David Rudd, Aaron Hall.

 

Some of the ELJGL Team listening to Dave Stockton’s views on the Ryder Cup.

 

Our Team with Charlie Rymer, member of the PGA and commentator on The Golf Channel.

 

The East Lothian and South Carolina Teams with Dave Stockton during a putting clinic. 

 

 

Our Players warming up on the practice ground at the Ocean Course.

 

 

The scene at the first tee of the Ocean Course.

 

 

The final scores in the singles, with the total match score – 19.5 to South Carolina and 16.5 to East Lothian.

 

 

Andrew Scott in action at the Ocean Course.

 

Cameron Spencer in action at Cassique Golf Club.

 

Jamie Duguid in action at the Ocean Course Kiawah Island.

 

Cammy Gallagher in action at the Ocean Course Kiawah Island.

 

Aaron Hall in action at the Ocean Course Kiawah Island.

 

Connor Wilson in action at the Ocean Course Kiawah Island.

 

Team Captain Jack Rogan in action at the Ocean Course Kiawah Island.

 

David Rudd in action at the Cassique Golf Club.

 

 

 

 

 

David Rudd, and Aaron Hall, both winners in the singles, watching others.

 

Groups of Players and Supporters watching the final matches come in. Note Derek MacGillivray of the Royal Burgess Golf Society, taking photos.

 

A similar photo with Secretary David Warren and RBGS member Colin Hogg, watching the finish of play.

 

Cameron Spencer and Nicholas Velasquez on the 16th Green at Cassique, with a Referee. 

 

Both Teams together with Tom Watson and the Cup on the 18th Green. Far back left – Ben Zeigler, joint Watson Cup organiser with Dave Warren in front of him. Back Right – South Carolina Vice Captains Paul Woodbury and Charlie Rymer of the Golf Channel, together with Jack Lewis, South Carolina’s first Walker Cup player and Honorary Captain of the South Carolina Team.

 

The winners with Tom Watson and the Watson Cup. Captain Jack Lewis, and Vice Captains Charlie Rymer and Paul Woodbury also in the photo.

 

 

Happ Lathrop, Executive Director Emeritus of the South Carolina Golf Association taking a well earned round of applause. Happ did a lot of work in making this trip happen! 

 

To round off the South Carolina visit, the Team had two more complimentary games at Yeamans Hall and The Country Club of Charleston, both fantastic courses where we received superb hospitality. They were both designed by Seth Raynor, and they both have holes copied from, and named after, the “Redan” Hole, at North Berwick! I felt quite at home, apart from the sweltering 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity. The Redan at Yeamans Hall with David Rudd and Aaron Hall striding on to the vicious green!

 

The reverse Redan at CCofC with a College Golf Coach, Michael Carlisle, watching Cammy Gallagher putting.

 

The Team then travelled for 4 hours to Pinehurst. This photo is in front of the Clubhouse at Pinehurst No.2 after tackling the course from the US Open Tees – 7588 yards long! Only two of the players broke 80 and they scored 77s. Chris Vonderkall, VP of US Kids Golf, joined us for the round.

 

The Players were also granted a courtesy round over the new Cradle Course – all 789 yards of it, by Ben Bridgers, the Director of Golf at the Pinehurst Country Club. This was great fun, we played in two five-balls, during which time we met with Dan Van Horn, the founder of US Kids Golf. All our Players said they would be willing to help when the US Kids European Championships are played in East Lothian again, in May 2019.

 

This is the obligatory photo in front of the famous statue of the late Payne Stewart, winner of the US Open at Pinehurst.

 

Courtesy of friends in Pinehurst, Nancy and JJ Jackson, Ed and Jayne Rhodes, and Tim and Wendy Andersen, JJ and Tim being fellow members of North Berwick Golf Club, the Team enjoyed further hospitality at several homes in Southern Pines, and a game with Tim over the South Course at Forest Creek Golf Club. This Club has a stunning Clubhouse, Locker Room, and Bar!

 

The Team stayed in a 6 bedroom lodge on Mid Pines and enjoyed a game over Mid Pines Golf Club. They also paid a visit to Duke University’s Golf Campus in Raleigh Durham, hosted by Pro Rob Pilewski. We rounded the day off with a visit to the Carolina Hurricanes Ice Hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Team, courtesy of long time supporter of Golf in Scotland, and of Junior Golf, JJ Jackson. 

 

The final evening was spent at the home of JJ and Nancy Jackson, where the Team met many of the good friends we have made over the years at Pinehurst. And the General Manager of Royal Dornoch, Neil Hampton and his family, just happened to be there! Of course, JJ’s famous wine cellar received a visit from our Players. 

 

That about rounds this off. Yes, I know I need to be less wordy and to lose weight! I apologise if I have missed mentioning anyone who helped contribute to the success of the event, but there are so many of you.

 

I know the SCJGA group comprising Ben, Happ, Honorary Chairman Pat McKinney, Jack Lewis, Charlie Rymer, Paul Woodbury, Justin Fleming, Bear Boyd, Paul T Davis, Gary Edwards, Billy Hough, David Johnson, John Orr, Lee Palms, Charlie Rountree III, Jay Self, Beau Welling, Joe Quick, Bob Gibbons, and many others made significant contributions at Kiawah and Cassique. Chase Godwin, Dylan Thew, all the staff, and fellow Scot – Douglas Alexander member of the Kiawah Island Club at Cassique, all made us very welcome there. Similarly, without the help of Director of Golf Brian Gerard, and Head Pro Stephen Youngner, our visit to the Ocean Course could not have been possible. Although originally there on holiday, but choosing instead to spectate, Colin Hogg and Derek MacGillivray of the Royal Burgess helped us tremendously.

 

Ben Bridgers, Rich Wainwright, Lynne Beechler, Brian Fahey, Mark Edwards, Ed and Jayne Rhodes, Nancy and JJ Jackson, and others helped at Pinehurst, Greg Haynes and Graham Gilmore helped at Mid Pines, Claude Brusse at Yeamans Hall, John Orr and Hart Brown at CCofC, and Tim Andersen, Hugh Matthis and John Buser at Forest Creek. Thanks to all of you for your contributions. We also reunited with Dan Van Horn and Chris Vonderkall of US Kids Golf, who are one of our sponsors.

 

The presence of Tom Watson, 5-time Open Champion, twice Masters Champion, and once US Open Champion, was the icing on the cake. The polite way in which he greeted and conversed with the young players and coaches on both Teams, was exemplary. Tom was rightly described as “The Moral Compass of the Game” during the closing ceremony. Tom willingly signed Kiawah Island flags for our Leagues and hats for the Players. Thanks Tom!

 

So many thanks to all of you for your contributions. You all helped to make our visit an incredible memory for our young men!

 

I am honoured to have led the East Lothian Team, with the help of Gareth Jack, for the inaugural Watson Cup Match and I am very proud of the way both Teams of Players conducted themselves and how they played. They are all fine young men, with bright futures in front of them, and hopefully they will realise what golf has to offer in the development of young people, and remember how much all the parties involved in this Match have done for them. It is important that they, and everyone involved in playing golf, at some stage seeks opportunities to put something back into the game for the younger generations.

 

After 60 years of playing golf, the last 15 of those as the Secretary of the East Lothian Junior Golf League, I personally feel great pride, (more than in my very best, and modest, playing achievements!) that I have through my voluntary work, put something back into the game and helped in the creation of something that will hopefully last for a long time, the Tom Watson Cup Matches. 

 

Subject to agreement at the first Watson Cup Committee meeting, selection for the next Watson Cup match will be by invitation, based primarily on Players being members of Golf Clubs in Edinburgh or East Lothian, their participation in either of the Edinburgh or East Lothian Junior Golf Leagues, and in their other Team events, and on their performance in National and County events, and lastly based on age and handicaps. These matches are all off scratch. We hope that some Girls will qualify to play, provided they compete in the required events, as stated above. The qualification period will run from Jan 1st 2019 to 31st May 2020, thus allowing any Player who becomes 18 years old on or before 31/12/2019 to be selected in 2020, based on their performance in Junior or Adult events. Younger competent Players who would qualify in 2020, may instead be offered pre selection for the 2022 Matches in the USA if they vacate their 2020 place to an older Player who will no longer be eligible as a Junior by October 2022.

 

With the next match in the first week of July 2020 in mind, we will be forming a Committee comprising hopefully, interested parties from the ELJGL, the Edinburgh Junior Golf League, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, The Royal Burgess Golfing Society, “Scotlands Golf Coast,” East Lothian and Edinburgh Council Tourism Officers, etc. In addition, we will be asking some local Clubs for courtesy rounds for the SCJGA Players, if their schedule allows and if the courses have availability. We will also be looking for volunteers as Referees, Marshalls, Walking Scorers, Ball-Spotters etc. Again, no caddies will be allowed. Spectators will be very welcome at both venues. Some stars of the future will no doubt be competing!

 

We will start fundraising to try to match the legendary level of Southern hospitality which we received, but this will require significant funds which will be ring-fenced for the Watson Cup. So, if there are any golfers out there who would like to donate some funds for the next Watson Cup Match, or for general funding of our League, you can do so by contacting the East Lothian Secretary David Warren at the address below. The East Lothian League is not a charity, but they are an NPO.