The EuroDov Tour has once again claimed the coveted Carnegie Cup in 2025, marking their third consecutive victory in the event. The win, described as "nervier than expected" in the afternoon by Captain Andy Love, came after a dominant morning session, highlighting the dynamic nature of the competition. For Captain Love, it was a special return to playing in EuroDov competition, stating it was "always great to be back in amongst the group" and offering his "presence" to improve the "calibre of characters on Tour this year".

The morning session saw the EuroDov Tour establish a commanding 8-4 lead. Captain Andy Love himself led from the front, rushing to a significant early advantage. He noted “he didn't look at the leaderboard until the back nine, focusing solely on his own game£. Despite expecting some rust due to a lack of recent action, he found he had "enough in the locker" to secure his match on the 18th hole.

His opponent, Callum McNeill of the SanWedge Tour, acknowledged Love started brilliantly, going 5 up through 6 holes and playing "steady golf". McNeill managed to reign Love back in over the subsequent holes but Love ultimately prevailed on the 18th.

SanWedge player Callum McNeill summarized his morning singles match against Love as a contest where Andy started brilliantly, but McNeill was happy to avoid a severe defeat and felt Love was "good value for his win".

Scott Gowens of the EuroDov Tour also had a tough morning battle, at one point holding a 4-up lead against Rowan Carscadden before his opponent fought back, making the finish "nervy" over the last three holes. A long putt on the 8th hole to go 3-up helped settle his game.

Rory Malloch's morning match was a "well matched" affair where his opponent, Dean Black, pushed him and took a good lead. Malloch knew Dean wouldn't make many mistakes and had to "stick in and take [his] chances". Bringing the match back to all square gave Malloch “the boost needed to push on and win.”

Paul Gowens described his morning match as "great" with "great company," feeling lucky to capitalize when he had shots. He highlighted his drives on holes one and twelve as “among the best [he's] ever hit”.
Stuart Allan of the EuroDov Tour, playing with shots received from his opponent Calum, took an early lead and kept his opponent "at arms length" in an enjoyable match between players of similar standard. He felt “he reacted well to losing a hole, often winning the very next, which helped”.

In stark contrast, David McColgan of the EuroDov Tour described his morning singles match simply as "Awful," the "worst golfing experience of [his] life," to the point his brain had "boxed up those 3 and half hours" – he lost 5&3 to Ally Greenshields.

Heading into the afternoon with an 8-4 lead, the EuroDov Captain's primary aim was ensuring the team "kept the head, stayed focused and didn’t get too gobby after the lunchtime beverages". While most players maintained focus, some "more maverick characters" required monitoring, but Love trusted them to "turn up when it matters".

EuroDov players echoed this focus, stating the need to "keep the head down and focus on getting the job done" and acknowledging the nervousness of letting the lead slip. The SanWedge players, conversely, knew at 8-4 down that they still had a chance but would need "big performances from the so-called leaders amongst ourselves".

The afternoon pairings proved crucial. Captain Love felt no "vindication was required" in pairing "Double Duncan" (Duncan & Duncan), having confidence they could deliver, especially given their "intimate knowledge of Canmore".

He jokingly said he saw it as a "win-win situation," expecting them to perform or having "a pair of scapegoats" if they didn't. David McColgan lauded this decision as a "master stroke," calling sending them out first "genius".

This pairing set about "dismantling the SanWedge opposition". SanWedge player Callum McNeill, who was paired with his Captain Ally Greenshields against Duncan/Duncan, described his afternoon experience as "pretty damaging to [his] own morale/mental health". He felt the Duncan's short game was the key difference, making it feel like "3v1 out there" despite his own long drives, while his partner – Ally Greenshields - struggled with short chips. McNeill and Greenshields were defeated by Duncan/Duncan.
While some matches finished earlier, tension mounted as the board showed red for some SanWedge pairings. Captain Love “remained calm, trusting the players, not losing hope that red could turn back to blue”.

Rory Malloch and Paul Gowens were one match away from securing the Cup for EuroDov. Rory Malloch summarized their afternoon match as "another good match" where their games complemented each other well, “pushing their opponents to the end before getting the win”. Paul Gowens agreed, calling it a "tough and very close fought battle" in the spirit of the game.

Gowens and Malloch ultimately delivered the winning point.

Scott Gowens, whose pairing was ahead of Malloch and Paul Gowens, said it was a "relief" to see their final win confirmed on the 17th hole after his own match ended all square. Paul Gowens felt “Malloch's driving was the difference, particularly his drive on the 17th”, which Gowens felt was "the shot that wins the Carnegie cup".

Scott Gowens highlighted a birdie putt from his partner, Greig, on the 16th to go dormie 2, which "seemed a dagger to the other team" at the time, although their opponents fought back.
The final score was 13-11 to the EuroDov Tour.

For the EuroDov team, reactions ranged from elation to relief. Rory Malloch felt "elation for the team but very much relief for me". Scott Gowens “felt relief, especially after his own match ended all square”. David McColgan wasn't sure what the feeling was, "a bit of both really," feeling delighted for Captain Love. Stuart Allan described it as a "pleasing relief to retain our trophy" and knew "S.U.P" (Sexy Uncle Paul, referring to Paul Gowens) would see it through once the "lunchtime whisky had worn off". Paul Gowens, however, stated he "never really" felt nervous and always believed they would "claw it back and win" without needing to go up the 18th.

The SanWedge Tour faced their third straight defeat. SanWedge Captain Ally Greenshields had boldly predicted an 18-6 win for his team pre-tournament.

EuroDov players found this prediction "ludicrous" at the time and proven so by the result.

Stuart Allan went further, calling a captain who motivates the opposite team a "buffoon" and thanked Ally for his "contribution to the EuroDov Tours success". Rory Malloch simply stated, "the final score says it all".

SanWedge player Callum McNeill attributed the defeat to "poor captaincy meets poor self discipline," citing his captain "happily swigging vodka from a water bottle pre-9am" as illustrative. He felt their problems began well before the first tee, with players dropping out the week before. McNeill was the only SanWedge player willing to face the media after the event.

A recurring theme from the sources is the contrast in team dynamics. EuroDov players repeatedly emphasized their strength as a "Team". Rory Malloch felt their team approach gave them a "better chance to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and adapt to them". Scott Gowens noted they are a "really good group of guys that all play for each other," adding that it helps that many players compete in non-Tour events together weekly. Paul Gowens highlighted the "team spirt" coupled with a "high level of golfing IQ across the team for the Matchplay format" as a key factor. David McColgan stated that while they often play for individual honours on Tour, there is "something special" when they come together and win collectively, noting that "when the Tour's reputation is at stake we rally round" and that there is "no question about team spirit in our camp". Stuart Allan agreed, noting their "consistent core group" who "know each other personally and our golf game inside out".

SanWedge players acknowledged the perception that EuroDov's strength is their unity compared to SanWedge being a "group of individuals". Callum McNeill felt it was "hard to gauge," but noted that many on the SanWedge team "met for the first time on Sunday morning".

Players from both sides commented on the course and conditions at Canmore. The conditions were described as tough, with wind playing a significant part and the course playing firm and fast. Rory Malloch felt the "quick greens and a tough wind kept the matches going back and forth," which was "ideal for an exciting matchplay event". Scott Gowens agreed that matchplay suited his style and the course "showed its teeth a few times". David McColgan noted the wind was challenging, especially with how firm and fast Canmore played, making "small greens even smaller at times". Stuart Allan found the course "excellent" condition-wise, adapting to the wind after a few holes. Callum McNeill felt the weather conditions and "brutal pins" really "levelled the playing field".

EuroDov players were effusive in their praise for Captain Andy Love. Rory Malloch credited him with another successful event, stating he "picked excellent pairings" and deserved "a lot of credit". Scott Gowens was "happy for the team that we were able to bring it home" in his first time representing the Tour in this event. He felt it was "great to see him back playing golf in a competitive setting" and that he "set the team up for success with the groupings he picked and lead the line well". Paul Gowens called his leadership "masterful," praising the team order and pairings, and noting that Love “led by example winning on 18 in the morning," leaving "big boots to fill". David McColgan found Love "great to be around and great to watch play," calling his decisions a "master stroke". He declared Andy Love a "legend on Tour... and the legend just got bigger". Stuart Allan saw Love as a "leader of men" and found it a "pleasure to follow his march to victory".

With the Carnegie Cup secured, discussion turned to the future. Captain Love reflected on his legacy, stating it "is already written, this just adds to it". His Captaincy is set to end in 2025.

Meanwhile, after the SanWedge's third straight defeat, conversation among onlookers suggested the cup "almost needs a SanWedge Tour win".