It felt like an age since the From the Locker Room team were out snooping for some gossip in the clubhouse, so it was great to be back at it as the EuroDov Tour headed to Falkland, for the 2023 edition of the Anstruther Medal.

It was equally great because the short format matchplay tournament is just the perfect length to keep the team’s attention before they drift off and start chasing sheep in fields.

The Anstruther Medal is always exciting and throws up great storylines every year. This year was no exception. We had Paul Gowens, 2022 rookie of the year, winning the Plate partnered by his son Scott, we had Medal finalists of 2022 scrapping it out in the wooden spoon match in 2023, and McColgan, doing better year on year, but not quite enough to get his hands on the trophy.

The 2023 winners were Ally Greenshields and Calum McNeill. McNeill in his second year on Tour and Greenshields his first both won their first Tour event with the Medal, and we got the chance to sit with them and hear all about it.

Firstly, welcome guys and congratulations on winning the Anstruther Medal - you must be chuffed with that?

McNeill said, “absolutely delighted to get that first victory. I felt like I put myself in a good position at the Invitational earlier in the year before a poor second round. To get over the hump this time is pretty satisfying.”

Greenshields said, “chuffed to bits, being a perpetual bottle merchant, happy to get to one over the finish line.”

The Anstruther Medal is unique on Tour as it’s the only event where you compete as a pair – it must be doubly good to win it alongside your mate?

Greenshields said, “it is by far and away the most productive thing we have ever accomplished with each other on a Sunday. For months he has been getting on at me for stupid decisions, costing me strokes. A top-quality partner/caddy combo.”

McNeill said, “it’s certainly a good moment for us. A tale I’m sure will be told around the Dora for many years to come.”

There have been many “natural” pairings enter this competition and never succeed, what do you think the secret to success was for the pair of you?

McNeill said, “our approach of both just going for it and assuming one of us will hit a good shot seemed to pay off. We’re also both pretty good at laughing off each other’s bad shots rather than getting hung up on it.”

Greenshields echoed that by saying, “simply - going for the big reward shot, keeping our bad holes dovetailed.”

Honestly what was the expectation level turning up?

McNeill said, “given I had to pick him [Greenshields] up from his house, 5 hours after he’d got home from 12 hours of drinking, they weren’t exactly sky high. I did have a suspicion the format would suit us though. After the first two rounds expectations were high, as evidenced by some of our chat over lunch.”

This is the first time you've played the event - how did you like it?

Greenshields said, “loved it. Easy 9 holes with different members of the Tour. Allows you to get to know people better. And keeps the competition interesting.”

Do you think winning this pushes Ally into the conversation for Rookie of the Year?

McNeill said, “please see above. You simply can’t include him in that conversation unless you want to hear about it for the next decade.”

Greenshields view on the topic? “After today’s performance, I’d like to think so. But golf is a fickle mistress….and a sanwedge player taking ROTY?”

Well there we have it folks, a recipe for success and a pairing that certainly went the distance on the day. Will the reunite for 2024? Only time will tell.