2024 Platinum
In a nail-biting finish the Americans squeezed home when Jim Freeman, the visitors' joint top scorer with four wins, ended a gallant struggle by Ireland's John Dwyer on the 17th green. The overall result, 13 ½ points to 12 ½ , was the closest score line, apart from ties, since the contest began in 1973. Click to view larger image - Glenmuir Golf & Leisurewear - PGA Cup
The home sides were again clad in sponsors' Glenmuir shirts and sweaters, a change of colour schemes being provided for each practice and competition day.
Some gutsy singles performances from GB & I illuminated what was the first wet day of the competition. Paul Wesselingh (Hawkstone Park) was Britain-Ireland's best points winner, taking 3 ½ from a possible five. And nowhere was he more dominating than in his 2 and 1 singles victory over the man everyone felt was the classiest player on the American side, Mark Brown from New York.
A hallmark of Wesselingh's display was the absence of a bogey on a course playing more than its 7,194 yards.
"I was never down in the match" recalled the Shropshire pro' "I managed four birdies, and it could have been five if Mark hadn't conceded after twice going into the water at the eighth.
"There's no doubt he's a fine striker of the ball, but I'm glad to have been in a decent run of form."
Click to view larger image - Glenmuir Golf & Leisurewear - PGA Cup Welshman Sion Bebb drew inspiration from the home crowd, but not before a winless day in the opening foursomes and fourballs. However, he more than made amends with three successive wins, on Saturday and Sunday.
Partnering Dwyer in the Saturday fourballs, the former Glenmuir Club Pros' champion fired five birdies in making a major contribution to their 2 and 1 win over Kevin Burton and Brown.
Said team captain David Llewellyn "I'm extremely proud of the way our lads fought back in the singles. We couldn't have prepared any better. Naturally, we're disappointed. We wouldn't be professionals if we weren't."