Ireland 8 – 4 England: Report

On 17 & 18 May, at Cork Golf Club, recently elected 2015/16 National Captain Clive Hadley led an English GCMA team against Ireland in two days of closely-fought matchplay.

Played around a magnificent golf course, which was in brilliant condition, England suffered a large first day deficit and never recovered, with the Irish representatives of the IGCMA eventually prevailing 8-4.

Golf club managers from all around England and Ireland were joined by GCMA Digital Communications Manager Mike Hyde, who enjoyed his first taste of international competition, albeit in a losing cause.

View a gallery of images of the match here.

Clive Hadley said:

The score didn’t truly reflect the effort of the GCMA Team. In congratulating the Irish and in particular their President, Matt Sands, who happens to be the Secretary at Cork, I should like to pay tribute to the arrangements he had made, and to the Irish hospitality, which was exceptional. I certainly had a memorable few days, as did the team as a whole, and I would like to sincerely thank those who gave up their time to represent the GCMA.

Mike Hyde commented:

The golf course was an absolute treat. With a practice round, we played three days in a row, but the course never became boring. Notwithstanding my ability to find most corners of the course off the tee, each hole could be played a number of ways, and the daily changing breeze added to the challenge. The run of holes from the 4th to the 10th, along the coast and around the quarry, is one of the finest I’ve played. Thanks to everyone at the club for a great few days, and credit to the greenstaff for presenting a course in such good condition.

Congratulations to Ireland, and the GCMA England team looks forward to hosting the return match next year!

Find out more about representing the GCMA.

By Mike Hyde

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