There is nothing like sitting in the media tent after a successful event trying to file your copy and the From the Locker Room boys are in the corner betting on who can chip the ball in the wastepaper basket then getting the message that EuroDov HQ are making an announcement.

So here I am, after navigating the FTLR team and their verbal assaults, in the press centre awaiting the EuroDov Tour hierarchy to appear and deliver the news that, apparently, could not wait.

There has been a lot of rumours swirling this week, even in the build up to the Carnegie Cup, that the Tour were ready to announce the 2024 Captain and the selection criteria in the immediate aftermath of the event.

And alongside those rumours there have been suggestions galore on who that might be names such as David McColgan the #1 ranked player on the OTR and only 3-time winning Captain of the RyDov Cup; Paul Gowens who was an honorary Vice-Captain in 2023 as he continued his medical break from the Tour; Stevie Orr, a relative newbie to the Tour but playing Vice-Captain this year.

So here we go.

Speaking on behalf of the Tour David McColgan, Tour Secretary, said, “Welcome everyone at this late hour, and I apologise for eating into your filing and celebration time.

It was magnificent to see the success of the Carnegie Cup, the full participation of both Tours made today the success story we wanted it to be.

The EuroDov Tour had no hesitation at the start of 2023 announcing Kevin Brannan as the Captain for our squad and we are very grateful for his diligence and commitment in executing his role. He has created a template for success in this event, and the Tour cannot express how pivotal that will be for future events.

Of course, winning the Carnegie Cup was a huge ambition of all of us involved in the EuroDov Tour, a uniting moment and break from the player v player dynamic the Tour is built on. The team setting allowed all of us associated with the EuroDov Tour to unite and rally against a stronger than expected opponent and Kevin was influential in making that happen.

We are of course conscious that rumours have been circulating about future Captains and like everything they have grown and grown.

That is why today we’d like to appoint our 2024 Captain and allow them to share the selection criteria for the squad.

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 some one 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.”

Well there we have it folks, the EuroDov Tour captain for the 2024 Carnegie Cup, is Kevin Brannan. Let’s hear from him now.

“Thank you, David, and thank you to everyone here today.

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.”

Ok folks, we’ve got a Captain and selection criteria. There were strong suggestions Brannan would be asked back to Captain the squad and we’ve had that confirmed.

Looking at the selection criteria the 2024 Carnegie Cup team would look as follows;

#1 David McColgan
#2 Paul Gowens
#3 Allan Kinnear
#4 Stephen Green
#5 Graeme Connor
#7 Stuart Allan
#8 Denis Duncan
#9 Andy Love

But as Brannan said in his presser, there is still a lot of golf to be played in 2023 and those rankings can and will likely change as the season goes on.

Well, that’s all from this weary reporter after a long day on the course and an evening of filing copy, I am off to join the FTLR guys and make sure they don’t start drinking anything they shouldn’t.

See you all at the Dodhead Invitational this Sunday June 4th.

Until then, happy golfing.