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The Jacques Léglise Trophy – 2025 Preview & Results

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23rd August 2025

Continent of Europe beat Great Britain & Ireland 15.0-10.0 to win the 48th Jacques Léglise Trophy match at Royal Golf Club of Belgium.

Continent of Europe (Photo: EGA)

This was the Continent’s sixth consecutive win and took their total number of victories up to 18. GB&I are on 29 wins but their overall lead is clearly reducing rapidly.

Lev GRINBERG (UKR) and Hugo LE GOFF (FRA), in 2023-24-25, joined Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER), in 2021-22-23, as three time Jacques Leglise Trophy winners for Continent of Europe.

Europe’s Guus LAFEBER (NED) was the only player on either side to win all four games, continuing his excellent recent run of form.

Having been rested in the opening foursomes series Tom DE HERRYPON (FRA) won the three games that he contested for Europe thereafter.

Whilst there was little for GB&I to celebrate 2025 McEvoy Trophy winner Toby PETERS (ENG) was unbeaten securing one win and three ties. 

The Day 2 Singles series was tied 4.5-4.5.

Following Václav SVUB‘s (CZH) early win in Game 6 it fell to Tom DE HERRYPON (FRA) to secure the all-important third point for Europe in Game 5 which earned their outright win.

Four Foursomes and nine Singles games were played on Day 2.

Saturday PM Singles Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Continent of Europe won the Saturday Foursomes 2.5-1.5 to extend their match lead to five points (10.5-5.5).

Dion REGAN (WAL) & Jack SWIFT (ENG) and Guus LAFEBER (NED) & Edwin SJODIN (SWE) both made it two wins out of two in the Foursomes.

Saturday AM Foursomes Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Click here to view the – 2025 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

ME.

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22nd August 2025

A strong afternoon Singles performance enabled Continent of Europe to take control of the 48th Jacques Léglise Trophy match.

They won the Singles 6.5-1.5 and will now head into the final day with an 8.0-4.0 advantage over Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I).

GB&I had enjoyed a positive start to the contest taking the opening Foursomes series 2.5-1.5 but were unfortunately out played in the Singles at Royal Golf Club of Belgium.

The recently crowned Boys’ Amateur champion Guus LAFEBER (NED), for Europe, and Oli BLACKADDER (SCO), for GB&I, were the only players to deliver two wins out of two for their respective teams on Day 1.

It will now take a great Day 2 performance from GB&I to deny Continent of Europe a sixth consecutive win.

Friday PM Singles

Friday PM Singles Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Friday AM Foursomes 

Friday AM Foursomes Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

ME.

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20th August 2025

The 48th Jacques Léglise Trophy match between Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) and Continent of Europe will take place at Royal Golf Club de Belgique in Belgium on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd August. 

This annual match is contested by two nine-player under 18 boys’ teams. It is essentially a junior equivalent of the biennial men’s St. Andrews Trophy match also played between these two regions.

Having been dominated in the early years by GB&I the Continent of Europe have now won seven of the last eight matches played since 2016.

Following consecutive wins at Aldeburgh G.C., England (2019), Falsterbo G.C., Sweden (2021), Blairgowrie G.C., Scotland (2022), Golf de Chantilly, France (2023) and West Lancashire, England (2024) Europe will start as strong favourites to make it six wins-in-a-row. The 2020 match, which was due to be played at Blairgowrie, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teams

The R&A have selected the following players to represent GB&I (WAGR’s at 20th August): –

Oli BLACKADDER 17 – Deeside, Scotland (WAGR #1,576)
Ben BOLTON 18 – Enville, England (WAGR #379)
Harry COX 18 – Welwyn Garden City, England (WAGR #1,590)
John DOYLE 18 – Fota Island, Ireland (WAGR #437)
Oscar LENT 18 – Walton Heath, England (WAGR #1,465)
Samuel MARSHALL 18 – St Neots, England (WAGR #2,040)
Toby PETERS 18 – Thorpe Hall, England (WAGR #1,554)
Dion REGAN 17 – Cilgwyn, Wales (WAGR #1,262)
Jack SWIFT 17 – North Foreland, England (WAGR #689)

Ben Bolton, Oscar Lent and Dion Regan all played for GB&I last year at West Lancashire.

Wales’ Chris KING, Chairman of The R&A’s GB&I Boys’ Selection Committee & Captain, will take charge of the team for the fifth time.

The GB&I Team (Photo: The R&A)

The 2025 Continent of Europe team, selected by the European Golf Association, consists of: –

Callixte ALZAS – France (WAGR #453)
Giovanni BINAGHI – Italy (WAGR #668)
Tom DE HERRYPON – France (WAGR #938)
Lev GRINBERG – Ukraine (WAGR #99)
Guus LAFEBER – Netherlands (WAGR #309)
Hugo LE GOFF – France (WAGR #57)
Štěpán PLÁŠEK – Czech Republic (WAGR #324)
Edwin SJÖDIN – Sweden (WAGR #1,009)
Václav ŠVUB – Czech Republic (WAGR #1,043)

Giovanni Binaghi, Lev Grinberg and Hugo Le Goff all return for the Europeans having played last year.

Europe will be led for the second time by Non-Playing Captain Pierre RELECOM of Belgium. During his career Relecom won all of Belgium’s national amateur championships; U14, U16, U18, U21, Men’s, Foursomes and Inter-Club. The Belgian played professionally for nine years, with a Challenge Tour victory and multiple European Tour seasons on his golfing CV before regaining his amateur status in 2019.

Format

The Jacques Léglise Trophy match is played over two days.

Belgium (CET) are an hour ahead of GB&I (BST).

Four foursomes games are played each morning.

Singles are then played in the afternoon; eight on Day 1 and nine on Day 2.

As there will be 25.0 points to play for each team will require 13.0 points to claim an outright victory.

Venue

This year’s match is being played on the Old or Arboretum Course at Royal Golf Club de Belgique, also known as ‘Ravenstein’, in Tervuren on the eastern outskirts of Brussels.

The club was founded in 1906 by King Leopold II. Believed to be originally designed by Seymour Dunn it was redesigned by Tom Simpson in 1928. Martin Hawtree advised the club on a 10-year improvement plan in 1990.

It is a strategic course playing to just 6,677 yards / 6,105 metres and a par of 73. It has a Course Rating of 68.9 and a Slope of 121. The holes meander over undulating tree lined ground with numerous doglegs adding to the challenge.

This will be the first time that Belgium has hosted the Jacques Léglise Trophy match.

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The Jacques Léglise Trophy (Photo: European Golf Association) 

Weather

The forecast suggests the weather will be largely dry with only light breezes expected.

Friday 22nd August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 8 mph NW / Temp. Min. 10°C, Max. 20°C.
Saturday 23rd August – Cloudy / Wind 6 mph NW / Temp. Min. 9°C, Max. 20°C.

The 2024 Jacques Léglise Trophy Match

Continent of Europe won the 47th Jacques Léglise Trophy match against Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) by 12.0 points to 10.0 at West Lancashire G.C. in England.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: The R&A)

Viggo OLSSON MÖRK (EUR) was Europe’s star performer winning all three of his games. Neo BERG (SWE), Nils-LEVI BOCK (GER) and Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) were also unbeaten for the victors.

Henry STYLES (ENG) won both of his Singles for GB&I.

Click here to view the – 2024 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

Previous Matches

An international junior match was first played between 1958 and 1966 with GB&I winning all nine of them.

After a break it was re-instated to the amateur calendar in 1977 as the Jacques Léglise Trophy. Jean-Louis Dupont donated the new trophy in memory of Jacques Léglise, a former President of both the French Golf Association and the European Golf Association. Léglise was also a past French amateur champion and national team captain.

Since becoming the Jacques Léglise Trophy GB&I have won 29 of the matches with the Continent of Europe claiming 17 victories with the 2015 match tied. Twelve of Europe’s wins have been in away matches.

Originally played in a single day the match moved to two in 1996.

Click here to view all of the – Jaques Léglise Trophy Historic Results

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The St. Andrews Trophy – 2025 Preview & Results

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Friday 25th July 2025

Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) won The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match against Continent of Europe by 16.5-8.5 points at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid, Spain.

GB&I now have 27 wins in the 35 matches played with Europe having seven and there being one tie in 2016.

Only requiring 1.5 points from the nine Singles played in the final session Tyler WEAVER (ENG) and Luke POULTER (ENG) wasted no time in securing victory for GB&I with wins in the opening two games.

Commenting afterwards an elated GB&I captain Dean Robertson said “The team produced phenomenal golf. To win all four series was more than my expectations. The teamwork was magical, preparation great and I couldn’t be more proud of them all. We’ll enjoy this, reflect, and then we’ll build on this for our trip across the Atlantic.”

The GB&I Team (Photo: Aitor Alcalde / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) was the star man for GB&I winning all four of his games. Luke POULTER (ENG), Eliot BAKER (ENG) and Tyler WEAVER (ENG) also strongly contributed to GB&I’s victory.

Claes THRANE BORREGAARD (DEN), Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) all won both of their singles, putting up the most resistance for a well beaten Continent of Europe team.

Click here to view the – 2025 St. Andrews Trophy Match Results

Day 2 PM Singles

GB&I ensured they would win all four sessions by taking the Day 2 afternoon Singles series 5.0-4.0.

Play commenced at 1.30pm CEST (12.30am BST) with all nine players on both sides competing.

Day 2 Singles Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG) maintained his unbeaten record in this year’s match with a comprehensive 6&5 victory over Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) who handed the initiative to Weaver early on and was simply not in the form to ever recover it.

Weaver v. Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A victorious Luke POULTER (ENG) and Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) halved both par 5’s on the back nine with eagles. On the 18th Poulter holed a long bunker shot to follow Sveinsson in after he had holed a mammoth put before him.

Poulter v. SveinssonScoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER), who is one of the few European players who can leave Spain with his head held high, beat the previously unbeaten Connor GRAHAM (SCO) in some style in Game 3 with another solid performance.

Graham v. Wiedemeyer Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Hugo LE GOFF (FRA), who had trailed for most of the round, chose the optimum time to take the lead – the 18th green – as he robbed Charlie FORSTER (ENG) of a first singles win.

Forster v. Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Norway’s Claes Thrane BORREGAARD took advantage of a poor start by Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and despite a valiant fight back by the Gog Magog member was able to hold on for a 1 Hole victory. Borregaard’s three consecutive birdies on 13, 14 and 15 proved crucial in the end.

Clemons v. Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Eliot BAKER (ENG) battled impressively to secure his win against home player Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO. Birdies on the 16th and 18th holes enabled the Devonian to complete an unbeaten record and notably deliver two singles wins.

Baker v. Jimenez Romero Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) ensured every member of the GB&I team won a game in this year’s St. Andrews Trophy match with a solid 3&2 win against Alfons BONDESSON (SWE). Tiernan led from the first hole and never looked like relinquishing his point throughout.

Tiernan v. Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A more consistent Richard TEDER (EST), determined to secure his first win over the match, got the better of Stuart GREHAN (IRL) by 2&1 in Game 8.

Grehan v. Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) completed a four-out-of-four win record for GB&I with an error free performance against Kristian HJORT BRESSUM (DEN) who will be rueing his play around the turn where he essentially handed the win to the in-form Scotsman.

Adam v. Hjort Bressum Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Day 2 AM Foursomes

GB&I matched their Foursomes performance of yesterday winning the Day 2 series 3.5-0.5.

Trailing 11.5-4.5 after this session any hope Continent of Europe had of retaining the trophy they won with ease last year at Royal Porthcawl was effectively ended.

Play on Friday started at 8.30am CEST (7.30am BST) at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro on the outskirts of Madrid.

GB&I captain Dean Robertson understandably made no changes to his successful Day 1 pairings with Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) again left out.

Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO (ESP) was dropped by captain Carlos de Corral from the Continent of Europe’s Foursomes line up. De Corral also chose to tweak his pairings with Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) joining Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) and new-boy Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) paired with Hugo LE GOFF (FRA).

Day 2 Foursomes Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG) & Connor GRAHAM (SCO) finally overcame Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) & Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) on the 18th hole in what was generally a high class match with plenty of birdies.

Weaver & Graham v. Jakubčík & Sveinsson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A strong finish from Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) & Richard TEDER (EST) nearly helped them successfully turnaround their game against Luke POULTER & Charlie FORSTER but the English pair were able to salvage a good half with a crucial birdie on the par 5 18th.

Poulter & Forster v. Wiedemeyer & Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Six birdies from Eliot BAKER (ENG) & Stuart GREHAN (IRL) ensured they won Game 3 against Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) & Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) by 2 Holes albeit the final one on the 18th was much needed to close this one out.

Baker & Grehan v. Le Goff & Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) & Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) beat the out of sorts Danish pairing of Kristian HJORT BRESSUM & Claes THRANE BORREGAARD in the final morning game. Whilst Adam & Clemons were unable to match the closing birdie that the three GB&I pairings all achieved ahead of them they had already done enough to earn the final Foursomes point.

Adam & Clemons v. Hjort Bressum & Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

ME.

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Thursday 24th July 2025

Day 1 PM Singles

GB&I extended their lead to four points after winning the Day 1 afternoon Singles series 4.5-3.5.

Play started at 1.30pm CEST (12.30am BST) with Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Kristian HJORT BRESSUM (DEN) left out of the GB&I and Continent of Europe Singles line-ups by the two captains, Dean Robertson and Carlos de Corral.

Day 1 Singles Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG), who was 4Up with eight holes to play, will be disappointed not to have brought home a full point for GB&I in his game against debutant Alfons BONDESSON (SWE). To his credit Bondesson fought back well and was able to to take advantage of some poor play on the back nine from the Englishman.

Weaver v. Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

After a slow start Luke POULTER (ENG) produced six birdies to overcome European Amateur champion Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) who had an up-and-down day in Madrid. This was Poulter’s second point of the day and the Florida Gator is certainly making a positive impression.

Poulter v. Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) proved to be too good for Spain’s Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO in Game 3. The Texas Tech rising sophomore strung five birdies together on the front nine to take control of this encounter and despite a few hiccups coming home secured a solid 3&1 win.

Graham v. Jimenez Romero Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

France’s Hugo LE GOFF, winner of the 2025 Lytham Trophy, is a quality player and far from the ideal opponent for Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) to be drawn against on his GB&I debut. Le Goff was four under par with no bogeys recorded for the 17 holes he required to complete a 2&1 win for the Continent’s first win of the afternoon.

Tiernan v. Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Three birdies in a row from the 12th helped Eliot BAKER (ENG) run out a 4&3 winner against Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) who was far to inconsistent in his play to gain any momentum in this particular game.

Baker v. Sveinsson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Claes THRANE BORREGAARD (DEN) edged a close match against Charlie FORSTER (ENG) with a clutch birdie on the par 5 18th.

Foster v. Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) enjoyed a fast start to his match against Richard TEDER (EST) with four birdies in their opening six holes. Playing with confidence after his great summer the Northwestern man secured a comfortable 4&3 win.

Adam v. Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) posted an eagle and three birdies in an error free performance that saw him overcome re-instated amateur Stuart GREHAN (IRL) by 3&2 in the final game of the day.

Grehan v. Wiedemeyer Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Day 1 AM Foursomes

GB&I made a good start to The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match winning the morning Foursomes series 3.5-0.5 in Madrid, Spain.

Play started at 8.30am CEST (7.30am BST) at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro with Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) and Alfons BONDESSON (ESP) left out of the Foursomes line-ups by the two captains, Dean Robertson and Carlos de Corral.

Day 1 Foursomes Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

The strong pairing of Tyler WEAVER (ENG) & Connor GRAHAM (SCO) delivered a 2&1 win for GB&I against Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO (ESP) & Filip JACUBČÍK (CZH) in Game 1. Having taken a 3Up lead after seven holes the Anglo-Scottish pair saw the match out with relative ease.

Weaver & Graham v. Jimenez Romero & Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Luke POULTER (ENG) & Charlie FORSTER (ENG) delivered six birdies on route to a 2&1 victory against Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) & Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) who did little wrong in a competitive encounter.

Poulter & Forster v. Sveinsson & Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A poor finish from Stuart GREHAN (IRL) & Eliot BAKER (ENG), where they dropped two shots in the closing three holes and most importantly a critical one on the par 5 18th, handed a half to the Danish pair Claes THRANE BORREGAARD & Kristian HJORT BRESSUM in Game 3.

Grehan & Baker & Borregaard & BressumScoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) & Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) made up for GB&I’s disappointment in the preceeding game by producing a superb birdie on the 18th hole to secure a 1 Hole win against Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Richard TEDER (EST) who fought back well from a sloppy front nine.

Adam & Clemons v. Wiedemeyer & Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

ME.

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22nd July 2025

The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match will be contested on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid, Spain.

This amateur men’s team match has been played biennially between Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) and the Continent of Europe since 1956.

It was originally established by The R&A to give more European players the chance to play at the highest level and GB&I players more team match play experience for the Walker Cup which is held in alternate years with this competition.

Due to changes being made to the international golf calendar the 2025 match unusually takes place only a year after the last one and in the same year as the Walker Cup.

The St. Andrews Trophy was put forward for the match by the Royal and Ancient G.C. of St. Andrews in 1963.

2025 Teams

Each team has nine players.

The golfing calendar is extremely busy at this time of year and therefore player availability can be impacted by other opportunities. Recent history shows that this is a particular issue on the Continent of Europe’s side albeit this year they appear to have a strong side out.

Great Britain & Ireland Team

The R&A Selection Committee, including Captain Dean Robertson (Scotland), 55, announced their nine man team on 4th July.

With the Walker Cup match coming up in September Robertson, who is Head of Golf at the University of Stirling, will be looking for a victory to instil some confidence in his team as well as increasing the chances of him remaining in post beyond the match in Cypress Point.

GB&I’s 2025 team will consist of six new and three returning players.

Each player’s nationality, current WAGR, selection route and event history is shown below.

Cameron ADAM (21) – Scotland, #29, WAGR Top 5 (Debut, 2025)

Eliot BAKER (22) – England, #121, Captain’s Pick (Debut, 2025)

Dominic CLEMONS (23) – England, #44, WAGR Top 5 (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Charlie FORSTER (22) – England, #57, Captain’s Pick (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Connor GRAHAM (18) – Scotland, #40, WAGR Top 5 (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Stuart GREHAN (32) – Ireland, #627, Captain’s Pick (2nd Appearance, 2016, ’25)

Luke POULTER (21) – England, #41, Captain’s Pick* (Debut, 2025)

Gavin TIERNAN (19) – Ireland, #583, Captain’s Pick (Debut, 2025)

Tyler WEAVER (20) – England, #14, WAGR Top 5 (Debut, 2025)

* Luke Poulter was the 5th highest ranked GB&I player on WAGR on 2nd July 2025 but did not meet the minimum divisor of 18 proviso so this selection spot was transferred over to an additional Captain’s pick.

Three GB&I players in the WAGR Top 100 were not selected, namely, Jack BIGHAM (England) #54. Matthew DODD-BERRY (England) #96 and Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (Scotland) #97.

Great Britain & Ireland Team (Graphic: RFEG)

Continent of Europe

Carlos de Corral (Spain), 45, took over the captaincy of the Continent of Europe team in 2024, winning his first game in charge at Royal Porthcawl.

De Corral is a very experienced team captain leading Spanish teams on numerous occasions. He is the Sports Director at the Madrid Golf Federation and will be very well versed on the host course.

His team was announced by the European Golf Association (EGA) on 24th June (six players in First Wave) and 17th July (three players after the European Amateur Championship).

Like GB&I, Europe’s team will consist of six new and three returning players this year.

Each player’s nationality, current WAGR, selection route and event history is shown below.

Alfons BONDESSON – Sweden, #90, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Kristian HJORT BRESSUM – Denmark, #71, Second Wave (Debut, 2025)

Filip JACUBČÍK– Czech Republic, #6, Second Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO – Spain, #74, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Hugo LE GOFF – France, #55, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON – Iceland, #15, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Richard TEDER – Estonia, #80, Second Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Claes Thrane BORREGAARD – Denmark, #95, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Tim WIEDEMEYER – Germany, #35, First Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

The leading European players, according to WAGR Top 100, who are not playing this year are Michael MJAASETH (Denmark) #23, Daniel SVARD (Sweden) #52, Peer WERNICKE (Germany) #63, Benjamin REUTER (Netherlands) #65, Wolfgang GLAWE (GER) #67 and Lev GRINBERG (Ukraine) #91.

It is perhaps a little surprising that no Italians have been selected given that their 6-man team won the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship two weeks ago in Killarney, beating Denmark in the Final.

Continent of Europe Team (Photo: RFEG)

Match Format 

The St. Andrews Trophy is played over two days and consists of a number of match play foursomes and singles games.

Thursday 25th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Thursday 25th July PM – Singles x 8
Friday 26th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Friday 26th July PM – Singles x 9

The additional Singles game on Day 2 was introduced in 2016.

With a maximum total of 25 points available and one point awarded for each match a team will be required to accumulate 13 points to secure an outright victory.

As the holders Continent of Europe can retain the Trophy by reaching 12.5 points.

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The St. Andrews Trophy (Photo: Suomen Golfliitto / Finnish Golf Union)

Venue – Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro

Founded in 1895 Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro is one of Spain’s most prestigious clubs and has hosted many national and international amateur and professional tournaments over the years.

It has hosted the Spanish Open 15 times and the Madrid Open 26 times.

The Club has also hosted the Eisenhower Trophy, the Bonallack Trophy, the European Amateur Championship and the European Mid-Amateur Championship. The latter event in 2017 was won by the Continent of Europe’s team captain Carlos de Corral.

The Club enjoys two 18 holes, The Arriba (Upper) and The Abajo (Lower), both laid out on rolling tree lined terrain. The Arriba, which is being used this week, is generally considered the weaker of the two course. It plays to around 7,042 yards and a par of 72.

This will be the first time that the St. Andrews Trophy match has been played in Spain since 1990 when GB&I won at El Saler.

Weather Forecast – as at 3.00pm on Tuesday 22nd July 2025

The weather forecast for Madrid looks excellent this week: –

Thur 24th July – Sunny. Wind 13mph NE. Temp. Max. 15°C / Min. 30°C.
Fri 25th July – Sunny. Wind 11mph NE. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min. 30°C.

2024 Match – Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Wales

Continent of Europe won the 34th St. Andrews Trophy match against Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) at Royal Porthcawl G.C. by 16.0-9.0.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: Cameron Smith / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

It was Europe’s sixth win in total, only their second away victory and their biggest ever surpassing their 15.5-9.5 triumph in Finland in 2018.

Luis MASAVEU (ESP) from the Continent of Europe was the only player to complete a 100% 4-from-4 record over the two days. His compatriot Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ was also undefeated, winning all three of the games he was selected for.

GB&I’s Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) won both of their Singles and finished the match with three wins in total.

Click here to view the – 2024 St. Andrews Trophy Match Results

Past Results

In the 34 encounters to date GB&I have won the St. Andrews Trophy 26 times.

Europe have seven wins to their name albeit four of them have come recently in 2010, 2012, 2018 and 2024.

The match in 2016 was tied for the first time  with GB&I, who were the trophy holders, retaining the trophy.

Click here to view a summary of the – Historic St. Andrews Trophy Results

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Jacques Léglise Trophy – 2024 Preview & Results

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24th August 2024

Continent of Europe won the 47th Jacques Léglise Trophy match against Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) by 12.0 points to 10.0 at West Lancashire G.C. in England.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: The R&A)

In a worrying trend for the home side it was the Continent’s fifth consecutive victory and sixth in the last eight contests.

“You just have to take your hat off to Pierre (Relecom) and the Continent of Europe – they played cracking golf” said GB&I captain Chris King.

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Viggo OLSSON MÖRK (EUR) was Europe’s star performer winning all three of his games. Neo BERG (SWE), Nils-LEVI BOCK (GER) and Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) were also unbeaten for the victors.

Henry STYLES (ENG) won both of his Singles for GB&I.

Screenshot 2024-08-26 at 08.38.23

Click here to view the – R&A Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

Saturday Singles 

GB&I won the Day 2 Singles 5.5-3.5 but the damage had been done for the home team in the morning Foursomes.

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Saturday Singles Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Saturday Foursomes

Continent of Europe took control of the Jacques Léglise Trophy match by winning all four Foursomes games this morning. GB&I were only able to take one of the games to the 18th in a disappointing performance.

Arthur CARLIER (FRA) and Dominic MCGLINCHEY (SCO) were rested for Europe and GB&I respectively by their captains.

Now leading GB&I 8.5-4.5 Europe need to win just three of the 11 Singles this afternoon to win the Trophy outright, with 2.5 points being good enough for them to retain it via a tie as the holders.

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Saturday Foursomes Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

ME.

________________________________________

23rd August 2024

Friday Singles

Due to strong winds from Storm Lilian and a four hour delay in play the Day 1 Foursomes were cancelled and the decision was taken to play nine Singles during the afternoon.

Europe and GB&I earned 4.5 points each to hopefully set up an exciting finale to the 2024 Jacques Léglise Trophy at West Lancashire G.C. tomorrow.

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Last week’s Boys’ Amateur champion Viggo OLSSON MÖRK (SWE), Neo BERG (SWE) and Nils-Levi BOCK (GER) all picked up wins for Continent of Europe.

For GB&I Sebastian DESOISA (GIB), Henry STYLES (ENG) and Oscar LENT (ENG) picked up full points.

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Friday Singles Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

ME.

________________________________________

19th August 2024

The 47th Jacques Léglise Trophy match between Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) and Continent of Europe will take place at West Lancashire Golf Club in England on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th August. 

This annual match is contested by two nine-player under 18 boys’ teams. It is essentially a junior equivalent of the biennial men’s St. Andrews Trophy match also played between these two regions.

Having been dominated in the early years by GB&I the Continent of Europe have now won six of the last seven matches played since 2016.

Following consecutive wins at Aldeburgh G.C. in England (2019), Falsterbo G.C. in Sweden (2021), Blairgowrie G.C. in Scotland (2022) and Golf de Chantilly in France (2023) Europe will start as strong favourites to make it five wins-in-a-row. The 2020 match, which was due to be played at Blairgowrie, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I will be updating this article with daily match reports once play begins.

Teams

The R&A have selected the following players to represent GB&I (WAGR’s at 14th August): –

Ben BOLTON 17 – England (WAGR #510)
Sebastian DESOISA 17 – Gibraltor (WAGR #549)
Daniel HAYES 17 – England (WAGR #526)
Monty HOLCOMBE 17 – England (WAGR #1,840)
Oscar LENT 15 – England (WAGR #472)
Dominic MCGLINCHEY 18 – Scotland (WAGR #1,970)
Dion REGAN 16 – Wales (WAGR N/R)
Charlie RUSBRIDGE 16 – England (WAGR #639)
Henry STYLES 18 – England (WAGR #986)

Reserve: Harry COX 17 – England (WAGR #1,819)

Monty Holcombe played for GB&I last year at Golf de Chantilly.

Wales’ Chris KING, Chairman of The R&A’s GB&I Boys’ Selection Committee & Captain, will take charge of the team for the fourth time.

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Great Britain & Ireland Team (Photo: The R&A)

The 2024 Continent of Europe team, selected by the European Golf Association, consists of: –

Neo BERG – Sweden (WAGR #1,348)
Giovanni BINAGHI – Italy (WAGR #446)
Nils-Levi BOCK – Germany (WAGR #1,072)
Arthur CARLIER – France (WAGR #)
Oscar COUILLEAU – France (WAGR #302)
Lev GRINBERG – Ukraine (WAGR #195)
Hugo LE GOFF – France (WAGR #201)
Viggo OLSSON MÖRK – Sweden (WAGR #1,963) – 2024 Boy’s R&A Amateur champion
Scott WOLTERING – Netherlands (WAGR #945) – 2024 Boy’s R&A Amateur runner-up

Lev Grinberg and Hugo Le Goff returns for the Europeans having played last year.

Louis Klein from Czech Republic (WAGR #243) was originally selected but has had to withdraw due to injury.

Europe will be led for the first time by Non-Playing Captain Pierre RELECOM of Belgium. He has big shoes to fill as his predecessor Joachim FOURQUET of France won all four of the Jaques Léglise Trophy matches that he captained.

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Continent of Europe Team (Photo: The R&A)

Format

The Jacques Léglise Trophy match is played over two days.

Four foursomes games are played each morning.

Singles are then played in the afternoon; eight on Day 1 and nine on Day 2.

As there will be 25.0 points to play for each team will require 13.0 points to claim an outright victory.

Venue

The match is being played at West Lancashire Golf Club, near Liverpool in England.

The championship course plays to 6,973 yards and a par of 72.

West Lancashire was founded in 1873 and has hosted the Women’s Amateur Championship, SP Qualifying for The Amateur Championship, the Girls’ Amateur Championship, the U18 Boys’ Carris Trophy, the  R&A Junior Open and Regional and Final Qualifying for The Open over the years.

This will be the 15th time that England has hosted the Jacques Léglise Trophy match.

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The Jacques Léglise Trophy (Photo: European Golf Association) 

Weather

The forecast suggests the weather will be largely dry with only light breezes expected.

Friday 23rd August – Light Rain / Wind 15 mph SW / Temp. Min. 11°C, Max. 18°C.
Saturday 24th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 14 mph SW / Temp. Min. 10°C, Max. 18°C.

The 2023 Jacques Léglise Trophy Match

Continent of Europe won all four sessions of the match to secure a 17.0-8.0 victory in the 46th Jacques Léglise Trophy at Golf de Chantilly.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: European Golf Association)

Lev GRINBERG (UKR) and Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) were the star men for Europe and GB&I in the match.

Click here to view the – 2023 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results 

Previous Matches

An international junior match was first played between 1958 and 1966 with GB&I winning all nine of them.

After a break it was re-instated to the amateur calendar in 1977 as the Jacques Léglise Trophy. Jean-Louis Dupont donated the new trophy in memory of Jacques Léglise, a former President of both the French Golf Association and the European Golf Association. Léglise was also a past French amateur champion and national team captain.

Since becoming the Jacques Léglise Trophy GB&I have won 29 of the matches with the Continent of Europe claiming 16 victories with the 2015 match tied. Eleven of Europe’s wins have been in away matches.

Originally played in a single day the match moved to two in 1996.

Click here to view all of the – Jaques Léglise Trophy Historic Results

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2024, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

England v. France Men’s International Match – 2024 Preview & Results

Posted on by

12th May 2024

France beat England 13.5.-10.5 in the 37th Men’s International Match played this year at Moortown G.C.

This was France’s sixth win in the biennial series and their first since 2010 at Chantilly.

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France Team (Photo: Federation of French Golf

Four French and two English players won three of the four matches they played.

Screenshot 2024-05-13 at 10.07.07

Click here to view the – England v. France Match Results

Day 2

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Morning Foursomes

England and France again halved the Foursomes series 2.0-2.0.

Hugo LE GOFF & Noa AUCH-ROY were again in superb form as they blew away England’s star pairing of Dylan SHAW-RADFORD & Harley SMITH with a 3&2 win in the opening game.

Will HOPKINS & Zach CHEGWIDDEN secured England’s first point of Day 2 with a strong foursomes performance against Darren STRACHAN & Rafael BOBO-LLORET; hole wins on the 14th and 15th pushed the English pairing on to a 3&1 win.

Ben BOLTON & Ben BROWN came out on the wrong side of an exciting match against Oscar COUILLEAU & LOUKA MORIN, with plenty of birdies from both sides, by 1 Hole.

Eliot BAKER & James CLARIDGE beat Callixte ALZAS & Aaron VAN HAUWE by 2&1 to earn their first wins of the match.

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Day 2 Foursomes Results (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius)

Afternoon Singles

France won the Day 2 Singles series 4.5-3.5 to complete a thoroughly deserved match win.

Hugo LE GOFF and Will HOPKINS again played each other in the top match. This time it was the turn of the Frenchman to earn the 1 Hole victory in another high class encounter.

Harley SMITH continued his good form with a comfortable 4&3 victory over Noa AUCH-ROY helped by a match play eagle and five birdies in the 15 holes they played.

Yorkshire’s Dylan SHAW-RADFORD wasn’t to be out done by his foursomes partner. Five birdies in his 14 holes enabled him to runaway from Louka MORIN by 5&4 in Game 3.

Rafael BOBO-LLORET easily saw off Ben BOLTON 6&5 after the Englishman got on the bogey train on the 6th hole and was unable to get off it.

Zach CHEGWIDDEN, who was 4Down after 11 holes after a sloppy front nine to Darren STRACHAN, fought back to 1Down by the 15th but a three putt bogey on 16 gave the Frenchman the breathing space he needed to secure a 2&1 win.

Ben BROWN got the better of Callixte ALZAS in a rollercoaster match where the home player took an early lead, let it slip around the turn, before finishing strongly, a long putt from off the green for birdie on the 18th being key, for a 1Hole win.

Aaron VAN HAUWE beat Devon’s Eliot BAKER by 2&1 in the penultimate Singles, the highlight being his eagle on the 519 yard 7th.

James CLARIDGE, who was behind for most of his match against Oscar COUILLEAU, showed good heart in winning the closing two holes to tie his game, albeit the Frenchman bogeyed both of them.

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ME.

______________________________________

11th May 2024

Day 1

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Morning Foursomes

England and France halved the Day 1 Foursomes series 2.0-2.0.

In Game 1 Hugo LE GOFF & Noa AUCH-ROY were a match play 6-under par for the 15 holes they required to beat Will HOPKINS & Zach CHEGWIDDEN by 5&3.

Game 2 saw the victorious 2024 Sunningdale Foursomes pairing of Dylan SHAW-RADFORD & Harley SMITH overcome Oscar COUILLEAU & Darren STRACHAN, who had 5 bogeys in the 14 holes they played, by 5&4.

Ben BROWN & Ben BOLTON beat Rafael BOBO-LLORET & LOUKA MORIN by 2&1, the French pair unable to recover from losing the 5th, 6th, 8th and 9th holes, three of them to bogeys.

In the final game Callixte ALZAS & Aaron VAN HAUWE beat Eliot BAKER & James CLARIDGE by 3&1. The French pair were 3Up at the turn and saw out the match relatively comfortably thereafter.

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Day 1 Foursomes Results (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius)

Afternoon Singles

France won the Day 1 Singles series 5.0-3.0.

Will HOPKINS, who won the Lytham Trophy last weekend, got the better of Hugo LE GOFF in the opening Singles. 2Down with four holes to plan Hopkins delivered two birdies, including one on the home hole with a 25 foot putt, to secure a memorable 1 Hole victory.

The second game was equally tight with Noa AUCH-ROY getting the better of Zach CHEGWIDDEN by 1 Hole.

Harley SMITH and Dylan SHAW-RADFORD both maintained their unbeaten match records with 5&4 and 2&1 wins against Darren STRACHAN and Rafael BOBO-LLORET respectively.

Ben BROWN and James CLARIDGE both got off to good starts in their games, Brown leading 2Up after 4 holes and Claridge 3Up after 5, but both were reeled in by Louka MORIN and Callixte ALZAS as they leaked bogeys as their rounds progressed.

Aaron VAN HAUWE outlasted Ben BOLTON in a competitive match which was All Square after 16 holes before the Enville player handed the initiative to the Frenchman with two badly timed bogeys on the 17th and 18th holes.

The biggest Singles win of Day 1 went to Oscar COUILLEAU who beat Eliot BAKER by 6&5. Couilleau was a match play 5-under par for the 13 holes he required to reach the winning line.

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Day 1 Singles Results (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius)

ME.

______________________________________

10th May 2024

England will play France this coming weekend in the 37th Men’s International Match between the two countries.

The last match, played at Golf de Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche near Paris in May 2022, was won by England.

Format

8 man teams from each country will play 4 foursomes and 8 single matches on both Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May.

With a total of 24 points to play for the winning team needs to secure 12.5 points to win the match outright. As England won the 2022 match they will also retain the trophy in the event of a 12-12 tie. Having said that there has never previously been a tie in the history of the contest.

The biennial match is normally played on an alternate home and away basis.

Teams

The biennial playing of this fixture in mid-May hampers selection nowadays as both teams have an increasing number of potential players competing on the U.S. college circuit.

Here are the two eight man teams with each player’s current World Amateur Golf Ranking (as at 8th May) in brackets after their name: –

England
Eliot Baker (842)
Ben Bolton (708)
Ben Brown (1,089)
Zach Chegwidden (828)
James Claridge (202)
Will Hopkins (102)
Dylan Shaw-Radford (514)
Harley Smith (928)

Total WAGR = 5,213

Zach Chegwidden is the only returning England player from two years ago.

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England Team (Photo: Golf England)

France
Noa Auch-Roy (1,067)
Callixte Alzas (977)
Rafeal Bobo-Lloret (1,993)
Oscar Couilleau (599)
Hugo Le Goff (323)
Louka Morin (2,791)
Darren Strachan  (399)
Aaron Van Hauwe (2,337)

Total WAGR = 10,486 

France have no returning players from the 2022 match.

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France Team (Photo: Golf England)

England will start the match as favourites as is normally the case given past results and their greater strength in depth as a golf nation.

Tee Times

Click here to view the – England v. France Tee Times

Venue

Moortown Golf Club was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1909 across woodland and moorland on the northern outskirts of Leeds.

The club has long held a reputation as a venue for prestigious international championships and was the host of the first Ryder Cup match on British soil in 1929.

Off the Blue Championship Tees the courses measures 7,001 yards and plays to a par of 71.

The Gibraltar par 3 10th, shown below, is the Club’s signature hole.

Weather Forecast

Near perfect golfing weather is expected in Northern England over the coming days; warm sunshine with light breezes.

Sat  11th May – Sunny / Wind 11 mph SE / Temp. Min. 11°C / Max. 23°C.
Sun 12th May – Sunny / Wind 12 mph SE / Temp. Min. 13°C / Max. 22°C.

Match History

This International Match was first played in 1934, originally starting with 6 players per side before moving to 8 in 1949.

It lapsed after the 1962 match at Ganton Golf Club but was resurrected in 1982 at Chantilly with a new format which has been retained to this day.

Frilford Heath Golf Club, hosts of the 1984 match, donated a silver salver which the winning team retains.

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England v. France Match Salver (Photo: Alexis Orloff / FFGolf)

To date England have won 31 of the matches with France winning just 5, the last one being in 2010 at Chantilly.

2022 International Match

England beat France 13.5-10.5 in the 2022 Men’s International Match at Golf de Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, finally overcoming their stubborn opponents in the final Singles session.

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The Winning England Team (Photo: England Golf)

French pair Julien Sale and Oihan Guillamoundeguy were the star performers in the match delivering the two only unbeaten records.

John Gough, Arron Edwards-Hill, Jack Bigham and Sam Bairstow crucially won both of their Singles for the English.

Screenshot 2022-05-16 at 09.00.30

Past Results

The overall match record is Played 36, England 31 Wins and France 5 Wins.

Match

Year

 Venue

England

France

Winner
37 2024 Moortown 10.5 13.5 France
36 2022 St-Nom-la-Bretèche 13.5 10.5 England
2020 Cancelled
35 2018 Vidauban 13 7 England
34 2016 Formby 14 10 England
33 2014 Fontainebleau 13 11 England
32 2012 Roch. & Cobham 15 9 England
31 2010 Chantilly 11 13 France
30 2008 Frilford Heath 14 10 England
29 2006 Golf du Medoc 16.5 7.5 England
28 2004 Royal St. George’s 11.5 12.5 France
27 2002 Chantilly 17.5 6.5 England
26 2000 Chart Hills 17.5 6.5 England
25 1998 Les Bordes 11.5 12.5 France
24 1996 Sunningdale 9 15 France
23 1994 Nimes 17 7 England
22 1992 Royal Lytham 18 6 England
21 1990 Morfontaine 16.5 7.5 England
20 1988 Berkshire 16 8 England
19 1986 Hossegor 14.5 9.5 England
18 1984 Frilford Heath 16 8 England
17 1982 Chantilly 13 11 England

 1963-1981 No matches were played 
16 1962 Ganton 7.5 4.5 England
15 1960 Chantilly 7.5 4.5 England
14 1959 West Hill 8.5 3.5 England
13 1956 Chantilly 10 2 England
12 1954 Berkshire 11 1 England
11 1952 Deal 8 4 England
10 1950 Morfontaine 8.5 3.5 England
9 1949 Deal 5 4 England
8 1948 St. Cloud 5.5 3.5 England
7 1947 Wentworth 8 1 England

 1940-1946 No matches were played 
6 1939 Morfontaine 5 4 France
5 1938 Sunningdale 8.5 0.5 England
4 1937 Chantilly 7 0 England
3 1936 Deal 5.5 3.5 England
2 1935 St. Germain-en-Laye 5.5 3.5 England
1 1934 Wentworth 5.5 3.5 England

N.B. Matches 1–8 had 6 players and matches 9-35 had 8 players

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2024, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Jacques Léglise Trophy – 2023 Preview & Results

Posted on by

26th August 2023

Continent of Europe won all four sessions of the match to secure a 17.0-8.0 victory in the 46th Jacques Léglise Trophy at Golf de Chantilly.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: European Golf Association)

Europe have now won the last four and six of the last seven matches contested in what is becoming a one sided affair.

It was also a fourth win for captain Joachim Fourquet who is a member of Golf de Chantilly. He said “I am very proud of my team. The team spirit was perfect, I mean it is very natural for them. They talk to each other, they do contests around the practice green, they joke around. It is just a great team, with great players, great spirit, and that’s it, the result has come with it.” 

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 16.57.56

Lev GRINBERG (UKR) and Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) were the star men for Europe and GB&I in this year’s match based on my individual performance analysis below: –

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 20.43.36

The 2024 match will take place at West Lancashire Golf Club in England.

Day 2 PM Singles

Europe won the Day 2 Singles session by 7.0-2.0 as GB&I sadly fell to defeat with a whimper.

Despite being far from his best Kris KIM‘s battling qualities saw him win the final two holes, including a great birdie on the 18th, to salvage a half against Louis ANCEAUX (FRA). 

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Kim v. Anceaux Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Despite playing quite nicely Hugh ADAMS (ENG) had no answer to the birdie blitz delivered by Simon HOVDAL (SWE) in his 5&4 victory. 

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Adams v. Hovdal Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A second singles defeat for captain Dylan SHAW-RADFORD (ENG) was not in the GB&I script for today. Filip FAHLBERG-JOHNSSON (SWE), who had got to 4Up after 12 holes, tried his best to make it interesting but eventually got over the line on the 17th.  

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Shaw-Radford v. Fahlberg-Johnsson Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Match 4 between Seán KEELING (IRL) and Jorge Siyuan HAO (ESP) started with both players firing birdies at each other before becoming more of a grind. Ultimately Hao got ahead and was able to hold on for a 1 Hole victory.

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Keeling v. Hao Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Spain’s Marcel FONSECA AGUILAR beat Donnacha CLEARY (IRL) by 4&3 as the Irishman lost his way on the back nine. 

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 16.18.00

Cleary v. Fonseca Aguilar Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

For the second time today Peer WERNICKE (GER) was the beneficiary of GB&I largesse. 2Down with two holes to play I imagine he was astonished to see Jack MURPHY (IRL) hand him a half through being unable to finish either of the two closing holes. 

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Murphy v. Wernicke Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) enjoyed one of the biggest wins at this year’s Jacques Leglise Trophy, taking down the previously unbeaten Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) who simply never got going this afternoon. The only consolation for Wiedemeyer was that the match result meant that he became the first Continent of Europe player to participate in three successful Jacques Léglise Trophy teams winning a total of 9 points from the 12 available to him.

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Sheils Donegan v. Wiedemeyer Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) beat Monty HOLCOMBE (ENG) by 2&1 in the penultimate Singles game. In what seems a repeating GB&I story the Walton Heath man played well on the front nine before struggling on the back and ultimately losing. 

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 16.50.32

Holcombe v. Le Goff Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

A much better performance today from Oliver MUKHERJEE (SCO) in his re-match against Lev GRINBERG (UKR) but like most of his teammates ultimately found the back nine at Golf de Chantilly too hot to handle. A string of bogeys down the stretch allowing the Ukrainian to record his third win in three outings.

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 16.36.23

Mukherjee v. Grinberg Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Click here to view the – 2023 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

Day 2 AM Foursomes

Continent of Europe won the Day 2 Foursomes series by 2.5-1.5 to increase their overall match lead to four points (10.0-6.0).

GB&I kept their Foursomes pairings unchanged but jigged the order around whilst Europe brought in Lev Grinberg for Louis Anceaux but retained yesterday’s running order. 

In a poor quality opening foursomes the new pairing of Lev GRINBERG (UKR) and Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) got off to a bad start but once they settled on the back nine were able to bring home a useful 2&1 win for the home side against an out of sorts Seán KEELING (IRL) and Jack MURPHY (IRL).  

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 14.13.01

Keeling & Murphy v. Hovdal & Fahlberg-Johnsson Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

The Spanish pairing of Jorge Siyuan HAO and Marcel FONSECA AGUILAR produced five birdies over the 14 holes they played as they ran out comfortable 5&4 winners against Hugh ADAMS (ENG) and Monty HOLCOMBE (ENG).  

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 14.13.22

Adams & Holcombe v. Hao & Fonseca Aguilar Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Pars are often good enough to win foursomes matches and that proved to be the case for the English pairing of Dylan SHAW-RADFORD and KRIS KIM who made it two wins out of two. Their consistency proved too much for the Swedes Filip FAHLBERG-JOHNSSON and Simon HOVDAL who stumbled to a 3&2 defeat.

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 14.13.42

Shaw-Radford & Kim v. Fahlberg-Johnsson & Hovdal Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Any feint hopes that GB&I may be able to turn the match around probably disappeared when Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) and Donnacha CLEARY (IRL) lost control of a the final foursomes which they had controlled virtually from the start. A disappointing bogey-bogey finish handed the German pair Tim WIEDEMEYER and Peer WERNICKE a half point they barely deserved.   

Screenshot 2023-08-26 at 14.14.02

Sheils Donegan & Cleary v. Wiedemeyer & Wernicke Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)  

Click here to view the – 2023 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

ME.

______________________________________

25th August 2023

Continent of Europe will take a 7.5-4.5 lead into the final day of the Jacques Léglise Trophy match with GB&I needing a big performance tomorrow to avoid a fourth defeat in a row.

Europe won the Foursomes and Singles sessions, 3.0-1.0 and 4.5-3.5 respectively, at Golf de Chantilly.

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.19.22

Day 1 PM Singles

Europe edged the Day 1 Singles 4.5-3.5 helped by three big wins.

In the battle of the rested players Lev GRINBERG (UKR) thrashed Oliver MUKHERJEE by 7&5 with the Scotsman clearly struggling with his game.  

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.45.19

Mukherjee v. Grinberg Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Peer WERNICKE (GER) surprisingly beat Kris KIM (ENG) by a substantial 5&4 margin. One assume’s Kim, who won the Boys’ Amateur Championship last week, is starting to feel the effects of his recent exertions.   

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.45.32

Kim v. Wernicke Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

In a match that only really got going when the clubhouse came into sight Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER), who has an excellent record in the Jacques Léglise Trophy, got the better of Dylan SHAW-RADFORD (ENG). 

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Shaw-Radford v. Wiedemeyer Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

The ‘smiling assasin’ Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) once again showed his match play qualities to secure GB&I’s first point of the afternoon. He beat the reigning French International Boys’ champion Louis ANCEAUX (FRA) by 3&2.  

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.46.01

Sheils Donegan v. Anceaux Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

In a match where neither player could ever get more than 1Up it was perhaps fair that Hugh ADAMS (ENG) and Marcel FONSECA AGUILAR (ESP) shared the point on offer in Game 5. 

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.46.17

Adams v. Fonseca Aguilar Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Donnacha CLEARY (IRL) should be pleased with his efforts this afternoon, picking up a valuable 2&1 win against Spain’s Jorge Siyuan HAO. He also amazingly birdied the 13th too which looking at all of the scores today must be the hardest hole in France. 

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.46.30

Cleary v. Hao Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

With four birdies to his name Simon HOVDAL (SWE) played very well to secure a notable 5&4 win against Jack MURPHY (IRL). 

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.46.45

Murphy v. Hovdal Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Irish protégé Seán KEELING, 16, played his part in keeping GB&I in the match with a strong tail-end performance. He took down Filip FAHLBERG-JOHNSSON (SWE) by 3&2. He will no doubt be up the order tomorrow and fingers crossed he can deliver another win for the visitors.     

Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 17.47.00

Keeling v. Fahlberg-Johnsson Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Click here to view the – 2023 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

Day 1 AM Foursomes

Continent of Europe won the opening Foursomes series by 3.0-1.0. 

Through solid play Hugh ADAMS (ENG) and Monty HOLCOMBE (ENG) earned control of the opening game. With a 3UP lead with six holes to play it appeared that GB&I would make the perfect start. However, a sequence of four bogeys between the 13th and 16th from the visitors handed the initiative back to Hugo LE GOFF and Louis ANCEAUX (FRA) and a strong finish saw the French pair take the contest by 2 Holes. The GB&I pair lost five of the final six holes played. 

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Adams & Holcombe v. Le Goff & Anceaux Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Game 2 saw arguably GB&I’s strongest pair Kris KIM (ENG) and Dylan SHAW-RADFORD (ENG) sent out. Thankfully, having been 1Down with two holes to play, they delivered a winning point in a tight contest. This time it was the turn of the Spanish pair of Jorge Siyuan HAO and Marcel FONSECA AGUILAR to stumble down the home straight, appearing not to finish either of the two closing holes.

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Kim & Shaw-Radford v. Hao & Fonseca Aguilar Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Chris King would also have had high hopes for his third pairing of Seán KEELING and Jack MURPHY at the start of play. However, despite opening the game strongly the all-Irish team were unable to pull away and Sweden’s Simon HOVDAL and Filip FAHLBERG-JOHNSSON took control late on to secure another point for the home side.  

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Keeling & Murphy v. Hovdal & Fahlberg-Johnsson Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

All-Square heading into the back nine Game 4 looked like it was going to be another competitive affair but once again the GB&I foursomes pairing struggled to score on the back nine. After losing four of the six holes played on the back nine Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) and Donnacha CLEARY (IRL) were shaking hands on the 15th green with their opponents, the strong german pairing of Tim WIEDEMEYER and Peer WERNICKE.

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Shiels Donegan & Cleary v. Wiedemeyer & Wernicke Scores (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox) 

Click here to view the – 2023 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

ME.

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23rd August 2023

The 46th Jacques Léglise Trophy match between Continent of Europe and Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) will take place at Golf de Chantilly in France on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th August.

This annual match is contested by two nine-player under 18 boys’ teams. It is essentially a junior equivalent of the biennial men’s St. Andrews Trophy match also played between these two regions.

Having been dominated in the early years by GB&I the Continent of Europe have now won five of the last six matches played since 2016.

Following wins at Aldeburgh G.C. in England (2019), Falsterbo G.C. in Sweden (2021) and Blairgowrie G.C. in Scotland (2022) Europe will start as strong favourites to make it four wins-in-a-row. The 2020 match, which was due to be played at Blairgowrie, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I will be updating this article with daily match reports once play begins.

Teams

The R&A have selected the following players to represent GB&I (WAGR’s at 23rd August): –

Hugh ADAMS 18 – Hagley, England (WAGR #1,937)
Donnacha CLEARY 16 – Tipperary, Ireland (WAGR #1,872)
Monty HOLCOMBE 16 – Walton Heath, England (WAGR #2,046)
Seán KEELING 16 – Roganstown, Ireland (WAGR #469)
Kris KIM 15 – Walton Heath, England (WAGR #412) – 2023 Boys’ Amateur Champion
Oliver MUKHERJEE 17 – Loretto, Scotland (WAGR #504)
Jack MURPHY 17 – Douglas, Ireland (WAGR #843)
Dylan SHAW-RADFORD 18 – Huddersfield, England (captain) (WAGR #345)
Niall SHIELS DONEGAN – Meadow Club USA, Scotland (WAGR #765)

Reserve: William SANDOZ – Cardon Park, Wales (WAGR #2,589)

Oliver Mukherjee, Niall Shiels Donegan, Dylan Shaw-Radford all played for GB&I last year at Blairgowrie.

Seán Keeling and Kris Kim will also be representing Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup match which will be played on 26-28 September 2023 in Rome.

Wales’ Chris KING, Chairman of The R&A’s GB&I Boys’ Selection Committee, will take charge of the team for the third time.

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The GB&I and Continent of Europe Teams (Graphic: European Golf Association) 

The 2023 Continent of Europe team, selected by the European Golf Association, consists of: –

Louis ANCEAUX – France (WAGR #368)
Filip FAHLBERG-JOHNSSON – Sweden (WAGR #1,555)
Marcel FONSECA AGUILAR – Spain (WAGR #472)
Jorge SIYUAN HAO – Spain (WAGR #282)
Lev GRINBERG – Ukraine (WAGR #248)
Simon HOVDAL – Sweden (WAGR #364)
Hugo LE GOFF – France (WAGR #665)
Peer WERNICKE – Germany (WAGR #490)
Tim WIEDEMEYER – Germany (WAGR #158)

Jorge Siyuan Hao and Tim Wiedemeyer return for the Europeans having played last year. Wiedemeyer is in fact making his third appearance having also competed in 2021.

Lev Grinberg, 15, will become the first player from Ukraine to play in the match.

Peer Wernicke and Lev Grinberg have been selected to represent Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup match in September.

Europe will be led for the fourth time by Non-Playing Captain Joachim FOURQUET of France. Monsieur Fourquet has won all three of the previous Jaques Léglise Trophy matches that he has captained.

Format

The Jacques Léglise Trophy match is played over two days.

Four foursomes games are played each morning.

Singles are then played in the afternoon; eight on Day 1 and nine on Day 2.

As there will be 25.0 points to play for each team will require 13.0 points to claim an outright victory.

Venue

The match is being played at Golf de Chantilly. Chantilly is located around 25 miles north of Paris.

The Old Vineuil course plays to 7,047 yards off the black tees and has a par of 70. Opened in 1909 it was designed by the British architect Tom Simpson.

Chantilly has hosted 11 French Opens and 14 EGA championship and international matches over the years. 

France has hosted the Jacques Léglise Trophy match once before. Continent of Europe won 16.0-8.0 at Chantilly in 2001.

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The Jacques Léglise Trophy (Photo: European Golf Association) 

Weather

The forecast suggests the weather will be largely dry with only light breezes expected.

Friday 25th August – Cloudy / Wind 8 mph SW / Temp. Min. 10°C, Max. 19°C.
Saturday 26th August – Coudy, Light Showers PM / Wind 9 mph NW / Temp. Min. 10°C, Max. 18°C.

Additional Information

Click here to view the – 2023 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results 

Click here to view the – EGA Jacques Léglise Trophy Website

The 2022 Jacques Léglise Trophy Match

The Continent of Europe won the 45th Jacques Léglise Trophy match at Blairgowrie G.C. beating Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) by 13.5-11.5.

The Continent of Europe won the two Singles series by a combined 10.5-6.5 whilst GB&I won the two Foursomes series by a combined 5.0-3.0. Europe’s performance in the Day 1 Singles, which they won 5.5-2.5, proved to be the determining factor in the overall match result.

Germany’s Carl Siemens was the star man for Europe winning his two foursomes with compatriot Tim Wiedemeyer and both of his singles against Englishmen Josh Berry and Josh Hill.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: The R&A)

Click here to view the – 2022 Jacques Léglise Trophy Results

Previous Matches

An international junior match was first played between 1958 and 1966 with GB&I winning all nine of them.

After a break it was re-instated to the amateur calendar in 1977 as the Jacques Léglise Trophy. Jean-Louis Dupont donated the new trophy in memory of Jacques Léglise, a former President of both the French Golf Association and the European Golf Association. Léglise was also a past French amateur champion and national team captain.

Since becoming the Jacques Léglise Trophy GB&I have won 29 of the matches with the Continent of Europe claiming 15 victories with the 2015 match tied. Eleven of Europe’s wins have been in away matches played in GB&I.

Originally played in a single day the match moved to two in 1996.

Click here to view all of the – Jaques Léglise Trophy Historic Results

ME.

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