WE SPANK THE YANKS
By Tim Allan
FOOTBALL legend Murdo MacLeod led a British team to golfing glory in Las Vegas last weekend.
The former Celtic and Scotland star skippered our team to a 96-84 triumph over the Americans in the 10th News of the World Transatlantic Trophy.
The Brits came out on top after four days of intense competition over some of the best courses in Las Vegas, including Bali Hai, Desert Pines, Canyon Gate and Paiute.
Nine-handicapper MacLeod, who played in the 1990 World Cup Finals for Scotland, said: “It was a privilege and an honour to captain such a superb group of men. They all played their part in a fantastic win.
“I can honestly say this was as good a sporting event as I’ve ever been involved with and that is a tribute to everyone involved.
“The hospitality from the Americans was magnificent and it’s really been a trip to remember.”
The scoring system awards one point for the front nine, one for the back nine and one for the overall score in every match but the Brits went behind early on, losing the first-day fourballs 16-20.
Cruise
They hit back on day two, winning the greensomes 22-14, but the Americans were strong on day three, winning the two-man scramble 19 and a half to 16 and a half.
That left the British team leading by just one point going into the final-day singles and fearing a strong American team would win for the fourth year running.
But a magnificent effort from the Brits at Bali Hai saw them cruise to victory by the stunning margin of 41 and a half to 30 and a half.
The 96-84 triumph levels the series, which is jointly sponsored by car hire giants Hertz and Vegas property development Streamline Tower, at 5-5.
American skipper Dusty Allen paid tribute to the British team, saying: "You thoroughly deserved your victory and we take off our hats to you.
"We thoroughly enjoyed the competition and we look forward to getting our own back next year."
BRITISH TEAM: Jeff Goddard (Croydon) 11 handicap; Kane Goddard (Maidstone) 8; Mark Riley (Chingford) 9; Colin McDonald (Bishop’s Stortford) 11; Mark Barry (Rochdale) 5; Simon Holden 2 (Rochdale); Stewart Kennedy (Paisley) 4; Antony Clark (Dumfries) 2; Andy Loe (St Albans) 14; Graham Yates (Tonbridge) 7; Roger Partridge (Newbury) 21; Alex Ross (Leicester) 18; Ian Hart (Glasgow) 10; Murdo MacLeod (Glasgow)9; Steve Adkins (London) 1; Ian Dickinson (Ramsden Heath) 3; William Tierney (Bristol) 5; John O'Connell (Bristol) 8; Ralph Levett (Sevenoaks) 0; Danny Dalton (Sevenoaks) 0; Chris Thompson (Hayes) 11; Ray McCarthy (Bracknell) 10; Barry Killengrey (Woodford Green) 7; David Paterson (Livingston) 7.
Below are some action pictures of the Transatlantic Trophy.
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