2016 Mulberry Ryder Cup
The location was Kanchanaburi and the event was the 14th annual Mulberry Ryder Cup that pits an all-English side against the Rest of the World. It was a truly international event with players from Canada, U.S.A., Japan, Australia, India and Scotland participating. With a shiny new sterling silver trophy from ‘Blighty’, courtesy of Mr. Barry Tregurtha, the new cup was one we all wanted to drink from.
Steve Mulberry started this eagerly anticipated match play tournament for a few of his Blackpool mates and it has now grown to be hosted by The Golf Club on Soi LK Metro. Players plan their holidays around the dates of this event that is growing every year. It is not trying to be the biggest tournament in Pattaya, just the one that is the most fun!
The 2 teams pose for a group photo prior to going into battle.
The four day competition, held from Feb. 1-4, had a total 54 points on offer. Monday was a four-ball better ball event that saw the R.O.W. side get off to a strong 8 to 3 start. The magnificent Grand Prix was host to the 42 golfers and what a fantastic golf course this is.
We had a dozen Siam members on this trip and even they were impressed with the facilities and course condition here. Grand Prix must rank in the top 5 golf courses in Thailand and should be on your bucket list of Thailand courses to play.
The captains with their seconds in command.
Tuesday we headed over to Nichigo for the greensomes – alternate shot – competition that also had 11 points on the table. This was another victory for the Rest of the World and their 6½ to 4½ spanking was only rubbing salt into the English wounds from Monday. Nichigo was looking tired and unloved, but it has been years since we last played here. It is a shame to find this lovely parkland layout in such need of some TLC.
It was back to the pristine Grand Prix again on the following day and the four-ball comp was a bit closer with a 6 to 5 result that brought the total count to 20½ to 12½ for the R.O.W. and things were not looking good for England, even with Alex Tregurtha at the helm and Bob Newell by his side. Could there be another magnificent comeback like last year?
Gavagan and Kerr celebrate a win for the ROW team.
Thursday was singles for the Mulberry boys, and the teams were playing for a total of 21 points today. J.J. Wright was looking after the scoring and what a great help he was to the event. We had fresh pin positions, perfect weather and the glorious Grand Prix to contend with.
None of this was any help to the English side as once again it was a loss to the Rest of the World with a 12 to 9 body count. The final numbers read R.O.W. 32½ to England’s 21½ for a great victory for the R.O.W. that was captained by Jeff Hanack with Mike Newbert as his Vice. They may have won the Cup but England ruled the wine & cheese party!
Jeff Hanack (left) receives the trophy from Steve Mulberry and Alex Tregurtha.
After 14 years of play, the running scores are R.O.W with 7 wins, England with 6, and 1 year that was halved.
Thanks go out to the Riverpool Resort and The Bridge Residence where the teams stayed and we can certainly recommend these hotels if you plan on getting up to Kanchanaburi. They are just 100 yards from each other in the centre of town and are new and clean with very helpful staff. If you have not decided on a Songkran break, this may be just the place to go!
The golf courses of Kanchanburi provided a great location for the 2016 Mulberry Ryder Cup.
