HONG KONG, May 18, 2012 – With the course closed for over an hour on the morning of the event, and with Amber Rain and Thunderstorm Warnings issued, it seemed highly unlikely that the event would take place at all. In the event, when the course reopened the decision was made to press on although the rain never ceased and the gusting winds made the course even more challenging than usual.
Held in prior years between Scotland and England with teams drawn from the members of the St Andrew and St George societies, the 2012 running saw the tournament expanded to include Ireland and Wales with teams from the St Patrick and St David societies.
The event featured four fourballs containing a member of each team. Points were awarded within each group based on relative stableford scores, with four points to the winner, three to second and so on.
In the end one point seperated three of the teams with Scotland edging out England by a half point to take “Calcutta Cup” bragging rights over the auld enemy and finish second overall but it was Wales who ran away with the trophy, deservedly winning by a 3½ point margin - Faye Glasgow.
The Teams (points):
1) Wales (13) – Justin Davies (3), Stephen Gore (4), Chad Parker (2), Mark Irwin (4)
2) Scotland (9½) – Jim Mailer (1½), Charles McLaughlin (3), Kirk Beaton (3), Neil Orvay (2)
3) England (9) – Dallas Reid (4), Richard Hornshaw (1), Jim Wardell (1), James Watkins (3)
4) Ireland (8½) – Jamie McWilliam (1½), Tony Happell (2), John Ashford (4), Ian McMahon (1)