AMERICANS WIN BACK THE HICKORY GRAIL
WITH 13-5 RESULT AT BROOK HOLLOW, TEXAS

United States turned the golfing clock back a bit better than their European opponents to regain the Hickory Grail on home ground - Brook Hollow Country Club in Texas.
The Americans, won the trophy - an antique water pitcher known as the Hickory Grail - by 13 games to five over a typical southern American course with Bermuda grass, heavily bunkered greens and lightning-fast putting surfaces: over 12 on the Stimpmeter.The United States won the morning foursomes 4-2, which did not put the visitors off their lunch but the heat and the degree of difficulty of the 6,250yd course took its toll in the afternoon singles.
The European team - made up of members of the British Golf Collectors' Society and containing six Scots, including playing captain David Kirkwood from Edinburgh, won only three singles ties.
ties.
"Claes Kvist from Sweden put the first European point on the board in the afternoon, and Nigel Notley also won his match on the last hole, but we had to wait some time before William Tanner from Dunfermline took our third point by beating Brian Siplo by 3 and 2," said Gillian Kirkwood, the captain's wife and an experienced Hickory Grail campaigner.
Nigel Notley was the star player in the European side with 2pt out of two.
The other Scots in the European side were Ron Beatt from Scotscraig, David Hamilton of St Andrews, Aberdonian John Still from Edinburgh and William Tanner of Kelty, Fife.
It was the fifth match in the series and Europe were defending the trophy which they won at St Andrews Golf Club, New York State in 2003 and retained as holders at Kilspindie in 2005 when the match was drawn.
The matches are played with authentic, pre-1935 hickory-shafted clubs and the golfers dress in "old-fashioned" clothes.

Details:
UNITED STATES 13, EUROPE 5
Brook Hollow CC, Texas.
US names first. Foursomes
Fred Mueller & Chuck McMullin bt Phillip Truett and Clive Mitchell 4 and 3.
Wayne Aaron & Rob Alhschwede lost to Nigel Notley & David Kirkwood 3 and 2.
Trey Holland & John Miller bt Stewart Gibbs & John Hanna 2 and 1.
Roger Hill & Tad Moore bt John Still & Ron Beatt 2 holes.
Randy Jensen & Chris McIntyre lost to Graham Rowley & Tony Norcott 2 holes.
Mark Wehring & Bill Farmer bt John Sherwood & William Tanner 2 and 1 (4-2).
Singles
Aaron lost to Claes Kvist 3 and 1.
McMullin lost to Notley 1 hole.
Wehring bt Keith Bilbie 3 and 2.
Miller bt Truett 3 and 2.
Mueller bt Sherwood 4 and 3.
Trey Holland bt Still 3 and 1.
Randy Jensen bt Hanna 4 and 3.
Moore bt Mitchell 1 hole.
Ken Holst bt Rowley 4 and 3.
Brian Siplo lost to Tanner 3 and 2.
Farmer bt Norcott 4 and 3.
Winfield Padgett bt Gibbs 4 and 3.