Battle of the Atlantic


RLGC SECRETARY, SIMON NEWLAND, DESCRIBES HOW THE ATLANTIC TROPHY WAS FOUGHT FOR BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 25TH AND 27TH LAST YEAR.


2016 marked the 7th playing of this bi- annual match between representatives of some of the finest Clubs in North America and members of Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Initially conceived by Nick Wainwright and Kieran O’Brien to help build on Royal Liverpool’s excellent relationships with


other Clubs from across the


Atlantic, it has since developed into a much sought after invitation, and we now see guests travelling from as far as the West Coast of America - all in the name of a good game of golf and a decent supper! We were delighted to receive


acceptances from 14 Clubs, ranging from Mount Bruno Country Club in the North (well, Canada to be precise), to the Country Club, Brookline in the East, to San Francisco Golf Club in the West. From an organiser’s point of view 28 guests from 14 clubs is just about the optimum number for the match. Available daylight at the end of September and the number of members required to support the fixture and host guests mean that expansion just isn’t possible, but that fact in itself makes the match all the more special. Our guests started to arrive at


Hoylake during Sunday the 25th and received a relaxed and informal welcome accompanied by a spot of lunch and the opportunity to play a practice round if they so wished. The Club is very grateful to


those opened members opening who


looked after them so well. The


ceremony generously their homes to visitors and on the


Monday morning isn’t so much a ceremony, but more a jolly good excuse to fly some flags and set off the Club’s cannon. Incidentally, the cannon was kindly presented to Hoylake by the Fishers Island Club, New York and is now a proud fixture at Hoylake. The


responsibility for commanding the firing fell


to Joe Pinnington


and, with a mighty “BANG!”, the 7th Atlantic Trophy was officially underway. One round of fourball matches on


the Monday afternoon was followed by 36 holes of foursome golf on the Tuesday. 55 members in total represented Hoylake in the fixture, but one can see how gruelling a schedule it is for our visitors who all must play 54 holes. In the days following the match I


received many lovely comments from our guests, illustrating how much everyone enjoyed themselves and declaring how welcoming our hosts were. I’m sure all visitors returned to their own Clubs and shared their experiences fondly. Craig Deery from the Essex County Club, and long-time supporter of The Atlantic Trophy,


kindly accepted the


invitation to captain the North American team and he did so with good grace and much humour. David Smith captained the Hoylake


team with aplomb. I can tell you that the


result was largely irrelevant, but


David will no doubt describe a stunning victory fashioned by a great leader. Whoever you choose to believe you may rest assured that Royal Liverpool Golf Club’s reputation continues to strengthen amongst our friends in North America. ■


ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB 2017 MAGAZINE


35


Above: The firing of the Club’s cannon fell to Joe Pinnington


Below: David Smith with the Atlantic Trophy - “a stunning victory fashioned by a great leader”


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