Monday, June 16, 2014

Quaich Safely Returns to US Soil

The Quaich - up on a pedestal
The Quaich returned to the left side of the Atlantic Ocean today, enjoying the abundant sunshine and warm temperatures of south Florida.  While it enjoyed its brief visit to its ancestral homeland of Scotland, the Quaich has developed an affinity for the optimism and idealism of Americans.

"I love the Quaich," said Donald Trump. "It's a quality trophy and belongs in America.  Like Trump, it stands for big ideas and big accomplishments."


Sunday, June 15, 2014

The Quaich Heading to Austin, Texas in 2016

Two major announcements were made during the closing ceremonies of the 2014 Quaich in Inverness, Scotland.  Chris “Guvna” Hughes was named Captain of the US squad, and Austin, Texas was announced as the location of the 2016 matches. 


Referring to the motto used by the Texan rebels during its revolution against Mexico in 1835, the Guvna issued a challenge to the Scots to "Come and Take It".  In Texas history, Mexican soldiers attempted to retrieve a small six pound caliber cannon that was previously given to the American colonists by the Mexican government. Already demonstrating the spirit of independence, the colonists replied about the small cannon behind them, “Come and take it!” A skirmish ensued, sparking the revolution and the long road to Texas independence.  

Come and Take It Flag in Gonzales, Texas
For Team Scotland, it’s the Quaich that they'll be coming to Texas to seize in 2016.  It promises to be another close contest between these two proud teams.

The specific dates and courses for the 2016 Quaich matches are yet to be determined.

USA Retains Quaich in Heroic Battle; Scots Left Heartbroken

The USA won the Quaich for the fourth straight time on Sunday in Nairn, Scotland.  In the face of a spirited onslaught from Team Scotland, the scrappy Americans had to dig deep in order to retain the coveted trophy.

"I am really proud of my team," said U.S. Captain Eric "Swayze" Silagy.  "I know I was hard on them at times, especially after our dismal greensomes performance on Saturday at Lossiemouth.  But the team rallied today and showed me what they are made of."
Both teams on the 1st tee at Nairn Dunbar prior to the final singles matches

All seemed to be going according to plan for Team Scotland.  On the strength of a strong performance on Saturday afternoon in the greensomes format at the Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth, Team Scotland held a one point advantage heading into the final day of competition and had its best opportunity in years to win The Quaich.  

Needing to win only 3.5 of 8 total points available on Sunday, the Scots had several opportunities to secure victory but ultimately fell just short.  “I am gutted,” said a tearful Scottish Captain Ross “Rosco” MacCallum. “The margin between the two teams was so close, I feel it came down to 5 or 6 shots that, had they gone our way, would have been the difference between winning and losing.”


Swayze and Chris “Guvna” Hughes each secured early points for the US.  Scotland’s Ronald “Wee Ronnie” Denholm and Tony “Hef” Denson countered with run-away victories of their own.  With Americans Ray “Mundo” Bonilla and Brian “Stealth” Farley each holding off their opponents, the Quaich hinged on the outcome of the two remaining singles matches on the course ---- Stephen “Web” Webster vs. Ian “Big Man” MacCallum and Chris “Cudman” Van Horne vs. Ross “Rosco” MacCallum.  Both matches came to the 18th tee All Square, with the MacCallum brothers both needing to win their matches outright to secure a team win for Scotland.   Web, who found the left rough with his tee shot and wedged back into the fairway, struck a majestic “go-for-broke” third shot from 247 yards to within 3 feet of the hole on the par-5 18th hole to secure a point.  When Cudman and Rosco subsequently exchanged bogeys for a halve, th
e USA could begin celebrating a hard-fought come-from-behind victory.
Victorious US team at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club

Final Match Results from 2014 Quaich

QUAICH 2014
(Match Winners Highlighted)
USA SCO
Friday Fourball - Castle Stuart GL
Silagy / Atkins 2&1 R. MacCallum / Riddle
Webster / Bonilla 6&4 Denholm / Penyrebrune
Moreland / Farley 5&3 I. MacCallum / Wilson
Van Horne / Hughes 1 up Denson / Redford
2 2

Saturday Fourball - Moray GC Old
Van Horne / Moreland 3&2 I. MacCallum / Penyrebrune
Farley / Atkins 4&3 Redford / Riddle
Webster / Hughes AS Wilson / Denson
Silagy / Bonilla AS R. MacCallum / Denholm
2 2
Saturday Foursomes - Moray GC New
Atkins / Moreland 3&1 Denson / Redford
Webster / Van Horne 1 up Wilson / Riddle
Silagy / Farley 3&2 Penyebrune / R. MacCallum
Hughes / Bonilla AS I. MacCallum / Denholm
1.5 2.5
Sunday Singles - Nairn Dunbar GC
E. Silagy 2 & 1 K. Riddle
C. Hughes 2 & 1 M. Penrybrune
S. Webster 1 Up I. MacCallum
C. Van Horne AS R. MacCallum
J. Moreland 5 & 4 R. Denholm
R. Bonilla 3 & 2 M. Redford
J. Atkins 4 & 2 T. Denson
B. Farley 3 & 2 G. Wilson
5.5 2.5
11 9

Individual Points Leaders

First Last Points
Brian Farley 3.0
Ronnie Denholm 3.0
Kevin Riddell 3.0
Chris Hughes 3.0
Tony Denson 2.5
Eric Silagy 2.5
Chris Van Horne 2.5
James Moreland 2.0
Ray Bonilla 2.0
Michael Redford 2.0
Ross MacCallum 2.0
Stephen Webster 1.5
Graeme Wilson 1.5
Michael Penyrebrune 1.0
Ian MacCallum 0.5
John Atkins 0.0

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Scotland Takes Lead Going Into Final Day of Quaich


Scotland leads 6 1/2 to 5 1/2 going into last day of the Quaich matches. Epic battle! 
Swayze, Rosco and Stealth on the 10th tee at Lossiemouth

Cudman, Mundo, Hef, Stealth and Web (l to r) above the 18th hole at Lossiemouth



Friday, June 13, 2014

USA and Scotland Tied After Day One at Castle Stewart


The first day of The Quaich 2014 is in the record books. It's USA 2 - Scotland 2. Game on! 

Team Scotland (left) and Team USA (right) at Castle Stewart

Monday, June 9, 2014

The Quaich Arrives In Scotland

The Quaich made it safely across the pond early this week and was seen being held proudly by US Captain Eric "Swayze" Silagy at Kingbarns.  Bring it!
The Guvna, Swayze and Mundo with the Quaich at Kingsbarns

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Web Prepares for the Quaich

It was a beautiful night on the front range of the Rocky Mountains as Web played one of his last rounds of golf before the 2014 Quaich in Scotland.  Check out that form!  Game on, Bobby George!