Team Europe jumps out to 4-2 lead at the Concession Cup
The first three editions of the Concession Cup were lopsided affairs dominated by the Americans but after a lengthy hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Europeans look like they are ready to make up for lost time.
Playing on home soil for the first time in four iterations of the Concession Cup, a reinforced Team Europe won four of six four-ball better ball matches on the opening day of the competition at Real Club Valderamma in Spain.
The European sides of Moises Cobo/Leon Breimer, Martin Birkolz/Mattias Pernheden and Caolan Rafferty/Gregoire Schoeb recorded lopsided victories over their American counterparts, while Rupert Kellock/Stephen Jensen posted a 1 up win over the team of Rusty Strawn/Matthew Sughrue.
Evan Beck/Joseph Deraney took out the Irish duo of Matthew McClean/Hugh Foley, finalists in the U.S. Mid-Amateur held at Erin Hills, 3 and 1, while Georgians Doug Hanzel/Bob Royak downed Trevor Foster/Jody Fanagan, 2 and 1, to account for both points for Team USA.
Captained by 1992 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Danny Yates, Team USA still looks the part of the favorite on paper, however, after being dominated in the first three matches at The Concession Club in Bradenton, Fla., the top mid- and senior amateurs from continental Europe were added a mix of players from Great Britain & Ireland in attempt to create a more level playing field.
The Concession Cup will continue tomorrow with six foursome matches.
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ABOUT THE
Concession Cup
The Concession Cup is an event designed to celebrate the game through international competition while giving back to worthy causes. The Walker Cup-style competition brings together teams of male and female mid-amateurs and senior amateurs representing USA and Europe. Tony Jacklin and AGA Honorary Chairman, Jack Nicklaus, have attended each of the previous matches. The Concession Cup Committee will select men's and women's teams primarily based on a points ranking but with captains' picks as well.
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