In its efforts to continue to deliver innovative and exciting competitions for the membership the EuroDov Tour ventured into its first co-sanctioned event in 2023.

The Carnegie Cup saw a field of 12 EuroDov Tour players, led by Captain Kevin Brannan, face off against 12 players from the SanWedge Tour. The result of the match ended in a 13.5-10.5 win for the EuroDov Tour, in a match that ended closer than many had predicted.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 match the EuroDov Tour quickly announced that Kevin Brannan would return to Captain the side in 2024. Tour Secretary David McColgan saying, “A number of names have been banded around for this post, but we believe we’ve settled on the right candidate.

As founding member of the Tour, this player is synonymous with the EuroDov Tour, they have developed into one of thee leading players on Tour and won the highest honours – highly respected as a person and a player – and someone who will have the respect of the EuroDov Tour team and our opponents.

We are delighted to announce that Kevin Brannan has been offered, and accepted, to remain as Captain for 2024 and I hand over to him now.”

Immediately following the announcement Brannan spoke to the media saying, “I am not sure today’s win has sunk in; never mind the fact I am going to have to do it all over again in 12 months’ time.

It’s a privilege to lead the team and the Tour again and with the players at my disposal the headaches I have are nothing but good ones.

It’s important today to focus on the players and give them some clarity on selection for 2024. That is why, in partnership with the Tour I am delighted to announce that the 2024 Carnegie Cup selection criteria for the EuroDov Tour team is as follows;

The top 8 players in the Official Tour Rankings as of 31st October 2023 (excluding any co-sanctioned players and the captain)

Plus 3 Captain’s Picks.

I appreciate a lot of the guys will be happy with this announcement and others nervous as they are on the bubble, but there is a lot of golf left to play in 2023 and a couple of good performances can quickly change the current standings.”

There was indeed a lot of golf to play after May but now the season is all wrapped up let’s take a look at the qualifying players for the 2024 Carnegie Cup.

Joining the team along side Captain Kevin Brannan are;

#1 – David McColgan

It’s not surprising to see McColgan’s name at the top here. He’s dominated the OTR since the last event of the 2021 season and brings 21 Tour wins, including 10 Majors, to the team and will be depended upon to deliver points in 2024.

In 2023 he managed a half point in the singles and 2 points in the Foursomes to start his Carnegie Cup career undefeated.

#2 – Graeme Connor

Connor has quietly gone about his business in 2023 and climbed the Tour rankings efficiently. He’s still not got the monkey of a solo tour win off his back, but he’s come close (too many times). In 2024 he recorded a 7&5 win in the singles, which will be hard to surpass on the record books but will have been disappointed with a 2&1 defeat in the Foursomes.

#3 – Barry Cunningham

Cunningham had to drop out of the 2023 event, so will be making his debut in 2024.

He’s a quiet man on Tour who let’s his golf do the talking and he’ll relish the opportunity to face off against the rambunctious SanWedge players. He brings 1 Major and 2 other Tour wins to the team and the EuroDov Tour players will see him as a pillar to success.

#4 – Stuart Allan

Allan returns in 2024 and will want to give a better appraisal of himself. Defeated 4&3 in the singles after losing the first four holes will be something he wants to rectify, and quickly. A half point in the Foursomes saved him from a pointless debut.

Allan’s season ended well however, with a win at the Tour Championships and a 9th place finish in the Montgomery Cup.

#5 – Paul Gowens

Non-playing Vice Captain in 2023, Paul Gowens season was massively curtailed due to a sever health scare. He’s back for 2024 and he’ll be ready to take on whatever he faces in his debut in the Carnegie Cup.

Gowens has 5 EuroDov Tour honours to boast of.

#6 – Andy Love

Love lost his singles in a nail-biting finish on the 18th green in the morning but him and Allan Kinnear were the partnership which sealed the winning points for the EuroDov Tour with an incredible sand save combo from the pair.

Love brings 2 Majors and 1 other Tour win to the table and for many is the talisman of the EuroDov Tour.

#7 – Stephen Green

Green couldn’t fulfil his selection in 2023 due to off Tour commitments but he returns in 2024 for the EuroDov Tour. A founding member of the Tour, he’ll be an unknown quantity to many of the SanWedge players but with 1 Tour win and an impressive runoff top-5 finishes in the Majors of late he’ll be keen to show his wares.

#8 – Allan Kinnear

There would have been panic in the captain’s room at Kinnear’s slide in the rankings, but he sneaks in at #8. Kinnear managed a half in the morning singles in 2023 and a win in the Foursomes.

Combining RyDov Cup and Carnegie Cup stats he has an impressive 86% point win rate in 7 appearances including winning 7 from 7 in the Foursomes whilst partnering 7 different players.

There we have it folks your qualifying players and Captain for the 2024 Carnegie Cup. We’ll bring you news in 2024 of the 3 Captain’s picks that will make up the 12 man squad to face the SanWedge Tour in May 2024.
Until then have a great offseason and see you in the new year.