Rob Paul led from the front as Europe retained the Fightmaster Cup, the “Ryder Cup for One-Armed Golfers”, in emphatic style at the weekend.
Playing on his home course at Walmer & Kingsdown, the 36-year-old picked up four points out of a possible five to lead the Europe team to a 17-11 victory over the USA, with his “wins” including a 5&4 victory over Jason Aken in Saturday’s final-day singles.
And afterwards Paul, who had played in all five previous Fightmaster Cup matches, said: “To help Europe win the trophy again on my home course has got to be the highlight of all the Fightmaster matches I have played in.
“Being asked to lead the team off in Saturday’s first singles in front of such a big crowd was pretty nerve wracking, and it was a relief when I managed to hit that good opening tee shot.”
And Paul’s victory over the big-hitting Aken set the pattern for the rest of the final day, with Europe winning eight of the 12 singles to wrap up the trophy after the USA had cut the home side’s lead to just two points following Friday afternoon’s pairs matches.
Despite the testing conditions, with fierce winds and rain at various times over the three days, the two sides produced some superb golf over the clifftop course in what was the first occasion that the biennial competition had been held in England, and afterwards the Walmer & Kingsdown club received handsome praise from Fightmaster officials.
Jerry Woodley, the Europe team captain, said: “Walmer & Kingsdown have given us the best week we ever had in the history of the Fightmaster Cup. Their hospitality has been second to none and I also want to give special thanks to my vice-captain, (W&K member) Neil Branston, and to all the greenkeeping staff for their fantastic work.”
And Woodley’s comments were echoed by USA captain Dan Aldridge who said: “After congratulating the Europe team on their victory I want to add that my team have received a level of friendship and support from the club members of Walmer & Kingsdown that we have never experienced before, and I know that some of them are already making plans for a return visit.”
The trophy presentation was performed by the Walmer & Kingsdown Patron, Lord Boyce, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, who said: “It has been a great honour for this club to stage the Fightmaster Cup and we are delighted that our American friends have so enjoyed their experience of playing golf in this part of East Kent.”
Picture: Europe team captain Jerry Woodley with the Fightmaster Cup, flanked by Lord Boyce (left), Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, who made the presentation, and Des Ladd, the president of Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club.
Supplied by Ian Scammell.