Final day action from Vegas

The final day of golf and it all came down to the singles. Our finalists arrived back at SouthShore Golf Club to be welcomed with brisk winds and dark clouds, and the feeling was it was definitely going to suit Europe. First out were the two captains who put on a tremendous spectacle setting the scene for one incredible day. First James took the lead before Simon came back and eventually it went all the way to the 18th where Simon just had enough in the bag to take the first point for ROW. Also in the same fourball were Chris Cattran and Luke Eustace. Luke had jested with Chris last night that he was going to win 6&5. He wasn’t too far off with a 6&4 win to continue his 100% record, and give Europe their first point of the day. The ever dependable Phil Kilgour took on ROW’s Steve Jones, a fine player himself, and came out with a 3&2 win. The other pair in the fourball played out another incredible match with Janus Horn making an incredible up and down on 18 to half his match with Europe’s Luke Stevens, the only half all week. ROW’s Regardt van Rensburg beat Lee Corns 3&1, whilst the other pair produced drama a plenty. ROW’s Andre Wainwright seemed to be securing a crucial half when Andrew Gray thinned his bunker shot on 18, but it hit the lip of the bunker and span down to within a foot of the hole securing another point by 1 hole for Europe!

Brian O’Connor regained his final form to see off Rebecca Gray 4&3. The tide seemed to be turning to ROW, but Jon Crickmore after hitting his second shot on 18 out of bounds, recovered spectacularly to secure a point for Europe, beating Brandin Walter by 2 holes. Europe needed just 1 more point to secure victory, but it wasn’t going to be easy especially when Clinton Heap beat Mark Kelly 2&1. ROW’s Fred Reever put in yet another great performance to beat Steve Campbell 5&4 whilst Bill Wilson continued his great week winning by 2 holes against Alan Clifford. The match stood at 11.5-11.5, the closest since the first ever team final in Season 5! ROW Emir Uzunovic and Europe’s Roy Backhouse came down 18 with Roy 1 up and after a great approach he took the hole to win by 2 holes and give Europe the final point in the closest of finals sealing a 12.5-11.5 victory for James Hewson’s side. It truly has been yet another incredible final, and one which is right up there in the list of favourite finals.. The way ROW fought back today in what was sometimes treacherous conditions more suitable to Europe was incredible and Captain Simon Hudson and his boys deserve a lot of credit. Europe were hanging on a bit at the end but they just had enough. Captain James Hewson has captained in a relax and fun manner and alongside Simon has made sure that in many ways the result didn’t matter. This was one team of 24 all getting along together. Everyone stayed to watch all the groups come through on 18 – that doesn’t always happen at a final and for that we are extremely grateful.

As we said in our prize giving, the Swingers final is all about having fun, enjoying the experience and meeting new friends that last a life time. We think this has happened this week and that was summed up by the way the teams embraced each other at the end and signed each other’s flags as is the tradition. James and Simon spoke superbly at the presentation, and all 24 players will be celebrating tonight at Hell’s Kitchen. We will be back tomorrow with a summary of our week. Thank you for sticking with us these last few days. ROUND 3 SINGLES RESULTS Hudson (ROW) bt Hewson (EUR) by 1 hole Eustace (EUR) bt Cattran (ROW) 6&4 Kilgour (EUR) bt Jones (ROW) 3&2 Horn (ROW) halved with Stevens (EUR) Gray A (EUR) beat Wainwright (ROW) by 1 hole Van Rensburg (ROW) beat Corns (EUR) 3&1 O’Connor (ROW) beat Gray R (EUR) 4&3 Crickmore (EUR) beat Walter (ROW) by 2 holes Heap (ROW) beat Kelly (EUR) 2&1 Backhouse (EUR) beat Uzunovic (ROW) by 2 holes Reever (ROW) beat Campbell (EUR) 5&4 Wilson (ROW) beat Clifford (EUR) by 2 holes

FINAL SCORE ROW 11.5 EUROPE 12.5 – CONGRATULATIONS TEAM EUROPE! OTHER PRIZES: NEAREST THE PIN Day 1 – Emir Uzunovic Day 2 – Lee Corns Day 3 – Luke Eustace

NEAREST THE PIN IN TWO

Day 1 – Luke Stevens Day 2 – Simon Hudson/Steve Jones Day 3 – Jon Crickmore

EUROPE – MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Luke Stevens

ROW – MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Fred Reever