The EuroDov Tour stayed in the UK for the second year in a row as the EuroDov Cup was held at The Mere Golf and Spa resort. The 8-man field were met with a course in pristine condition and one that was ready to show its teeth at every turn.

The field boasted two EuroDov Cup rookies, Kevin Brannan and Paul Gowens, with the other 6 players all returning from 2021 and previous years.

The whole tournament came down to the 54th hole, with three players tied for the lead and after three days of action it all rested on a 6-foot putt. In the end David McColgan added an 8th Major to his EuroDov record.

As ever the From the Locker Room team were there to catch-up with the field and get their views on all thing EuroDov Cup and now it’s all over what were the players reactions?

EuroDov Cup rookie, Kevin Brannan said, “It was three great days of competitive golf, played in good spirits with a competitive edge and the weather God's were great to us with 3 days of no rain.”

Fellow rookie, Paul Gowens said, “I had a great time with great people. Its physical tough playing for 3 days running however in the end it was really worth it.”

Stuart Allan, making his second EuroDov Cup appearance, said “The standard of golf could have been better but great venue, good weather and a mix of people that felt a tight knit group. Brilliant.”

Stephen Green, making his first appearance on Tour in 2022, said, “An extremely well-run event on a great course that had everything - good golf, bad golf, tantrums, and drama up to the last shot! Can’t ask for more.”

The host venue for the 2022 EuroDov Cup was The Mere Golf and Spa resort, what did the players think of the course?

Stuart Allan said, “Not quite sure how we managed such a top-class resort for the price! Facilities were brilliant and the golf course matched up also. It was long which required shot length but with the rough being more dangerous than it looked it required accuracy. A tough combination for mid-high handicappers but it was getable enough that kept you optimistic.”

Stephen Green said, “The course was difficult, as you can see from the scores, the last 4/5 holes were my favourite and often the ones I played best. Apart from the 1st green the course was perfect.”

Kevin Brannan, the 2022 runner-up said, “First of all, it is picturesque, mature and in fantastic condition. The course played different on each day with wind conditions variable and having a significant impact.

The course presented a stern test with hazards in play on most holes both off the tee and on approach. First cut of rough was very penal for any ward shots and the multiple dog legs posed questions. And once finally on the greens, subtle undulations kept putting honest over 54 holes.”

Denis Duncan said, “The course was immaculate and good. The rough was frustrating at times spending to long looking for balls. The greens were difficult I don't think there was many 1 putts over all.”

The course featured some signature holes, but what hole was the players’ favourites?

Stephen Green said, “Has to be the 15th, just visually impressive and a really interesting hole to play. 16th is a close 2nd!”

Winner, David McColgan, agreed, “The 15th had to be my favourite hole, a beautiful driving hole, and I played it 2-under par through the three days, so it clearly suited my eye.”

Kevin Brannan agreed, “Although it may not have been the hole with my best scores, the 15th was a bit of a signature hole with a drive over a gulley/valley with a slight right to left dog leg. Not to mention a large mature tree in the middle of the fairway at 150 yards, this was a daunting tee shot that rewarded taking this on to leave a short iron into the green uphill.”

Stuart Allan opted for another hole, “I really liked the first - a scorable par 5 that was open and shaped the right way for my natural shot. I didn’t score great on the hole but great fun to play.”

Paul Gowens chose another Par, the 9th hole saying, “It has to be the 9th hole, it is the first Par 5 I have ever birdied.”

So, the course was in great condition but also testing, how did the players feel they played over the 3 days?

Stephen Green, the 36-hole leader and eventual third place player said, “I finished 3rd and would have taken that before the first tee shot. But after leading after 36 holes, I’m a little disappointed. The pressure got to me on the final day and despite a late charge on the back 9 the 18th chewed me up and spat me out!”

Stuart Allan said, “it was typical golf from me - out of 18 holes I could take 8-9 from each round, but a few black spots on the card for each day resulted in my deserved position. Lessons required.”

Paul Gowens said, “Some huge inconsistencies cost me and fatigue of 54 holes in 3 days started to take its toll near the end – I don’t think I could buy a putt the whole tournament.”

Over the three days of competition there were some great shots hit, lucky shots seen and a few meltdowns, but what were the players favourite moments?

Stephen Green said, “It has to be Dave (McColgan) and Den’s (Duncan) driver throwing antics in round 2.”

Stuart Allan said, “I had a couple of 300+ drives that were right down the middle they were great to see.”

Kevin Brannan said, “For me, there was multiple to choose from. Dave rolling in the longest putt of the week on 15, my chip from beyond the 10th green and access road on Tuesday that hit tree, road, banking and rolled to 6ft. Unfortunately for me, the bunker shot Dave played on the 54th hole from the greenside bunker to 8ft.

In terms of meltdowns. There were a few...I feared a 6 iron was going to be wrapped round my neck at a few points. Dave and Den both launching their drivers at different points in round 2, Den imploding and taking 12 on 2 of the 3 final holes on Monday. And not to mention my blow-up on day 3 on hole 10.”

Denis Duncan said, “My two drives on the 18th on day 2 was the final nail in the coffin, swiftly followed by my driver being thrown down the fairway.”

David McColgan said, “One of the best shots I saw the whole three days had to be Kev’s (Brannan) chip at the back of the 10th green. It hit tree, road, greenside bank and rolled out to about 6 feet, he couldn’t have done it again if he tried.”

The on-course action is seen by all but a part of Tour that isn’t shown is the off-course fun. After 36 holes the players retired to the bar…and the chipping green, does anyone care to elaborate?

Stephen Green said, “The chipping challenge for shots after day 2 was good fun…its high stakes miss and you are drinking the Tequila.”

Stuart Allan said, “the few hours in the bar/chipping green after round 2 was definitely a highlight. Some proper belly laughs.”

David McColgan said, “I am not much of a shot drinker, so thank good am an above average chipper. And questions need to be asked how you lose a ball on the chipping green, maybe Paul (Gowens) can enlighten us.”

After 53 holes the tournament was tied with the players in the hunt – how exciting was that finish?

Denis Duncan said, “The final hole shoot out was entertaining. If you had said before a ball was hit that on day 3 that 3 of you would be going down the 18th to win it nobody would have believed it.

A big shout out to Steve who has not played a lot of golf since relocating south.

And well done to Dave for winning it.”

Stuart Allan also said, “Strokeplay over 3 rounds for higher handicappers is tough so huge we’ll done to Steve and Kev for running so close. I didn’t get round with Dave across the 3 rounds, but I know the standard he plays at, and his win will be hugely deserved.”

Stephen Green, eventual third place finisher, said, “It’s what you want in a Major, to come down to the very last shot. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get over the line but was a great birdie from Dave to win it!”

Kevin Brannan, runner-up said, “it’s a huge testament to the play over 3 days that the second major of the year came down to the final hole with all 3 of us in with a chance. With the different handicaps of each player, the three of us were off bare feet. Dave held his nerve in the end, playing a fantastic up and down from the greenside bunker to be in for a birdie, piling the pressure on me to hit a 7ft uphill putt from right to left, only to watch it slide by and see Dave win by 1.”

Eventual winner, David McColgan said, “it was fantastic to see the three of us standing on that tee at 18, after 53 holes of golf and still for it all to be decided. It was a real pressure cooker out there.
I don’t think any of us wanted the others to lose it on an unlucky shot or anything like that, and in the end, it came down to a pair of 6 feet putts for the win.”

Well, that’s our round up of the 2022 EuroDov Cup. We’ll be joining the field in 2023 as the Tour once again visits the continent and hosts the EuroDov Cup in Cascais, Portugal. Until then happy golfing.