Cambridgeshire's Dominic Clemons helped Team England fire a tournament record to clinch two of three team golds at the 2024 Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship in Texas on Saturday.
From (L to R) Stephen Burnett, Nellie Ong, Dominic Clemons, Matthew Dodd-Berry, Patience Rhodes, Richard Martin
The 22-year-old, who plays out of Gog Magog Golf Club and is currently studying at the University of Alabama, joined Matthew Dodd-Berry, Nellie Ong and Patience Rhodes to shoot a tournament record low score of -44 to win the Overall Gold for the third time in England's history.
The male pair, who shot 28-under, also secured the men's gold in a tie with Mexico, whilst Ong and Rhodes went bogey-free across the 54-hole better-ball event.
Making four eagles and 45 birdies in total, the event switched from four rounds to three in 2015, and their score, which included a 12-under final round, not only eclipses the -38 shot by the USA team in 2015 but the previous two winning scores for the Red Rose.
Oliver Fisher, Felicity Johnson, Jamie Moul and Sophie Walker combined to score -43 in 2005, whilst Liz Bennett, Gary Boyd, Naomi Edwards and Danny Willett reached -32 two years later.
"It was good fun out there," said Clemons. "We got it going on the back nine and had some chances in those final holes, but we just couldn't quite get it to go in and finish it off. It's been a great week with the girls and fortunately we were able to win the overall."
The tournament is one of the amateur game's showcase events with 20 countries battling it out for five prizes at Whispering Pines Golf Club.
Taking place in alternating years with the World Amateur Team Championships, the competition in its 11th edition was started in 2001 by The Spirit Golf Association. The event has proven to be a springboard with Paula Creamer, Brooke Henderson, Martin Kaymer, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Speith and Lexi Thompson all previous winners.
Team Manager Stephen Burnett added: "44-under? That sounds pretty good doesn't it? I knew we had a good team, but to shoot the numbers we did, it exceeded expectations. The girls didn't make a bogey and that's the type of scoring you need to win a tournament like this. It's been a great week and they were awesome."
Asked about the men's success by the Spirit Invitational media team, Burnett concluded: "All week they kept giving themselves chances. They started their rounds steady, but around the turn, they lit up. The scoring between holes eight to 13 was incredible.
"I've known Dom and Matt since their early teens so to see them come out here and do what they've done is fantastic. They've grown, they've matured and they've got their whole future ahead of them."
The male pair, who shot 28-under, also secured the men's gold in a tie with Mexico, whilst Ong and Rhodes went bogey-free across the 54-hole better-ball event.
Making four eagles and 45 birdies in total, the event switched from four rounds to three in 2015, and their score, which included a 12-under final round, not only eclipses the -38 shot by the USA team in 2015 but the previous two winning scores for the Red Rose.
Oliver Fisher, Felicity Johnson, Jamie Moul and Sophie Walker combined to score -43 in 2005, whilst Liz Bennett, Gary Boyd, Naomi Edwards and Danny Willett reached -32 two years later.
"It was good fun out there," said Clemons. "We got it going on the back nine and had some chances in those final holes, but we just couldn't quite get it to go in and finish it off. It's been a great week with the girls and fortunately we were able to win the overall."
The tournament is one of the amateur game's showcase events with 20 countries battling it out for five prizes at Whispering Pines Golf Club.
Taking place in alternating years with the World Amateur Team Championships, the competition in its 11th edition was started in 2001 by The Spirit Golf Association. The event has proven to be a springboard with Paula Creamer, Brooke Henderson, Martin Kaymer, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Speith and Lexi Thompson all previous winners.
Team Manager Stephen Burnett added: "44-under? That sounds pretty good doesn't it? I knew we had a good team, but to shoot the numbers we did, it exceeded expectations. The girls didn't make a bogey and that's the type of scoring you need to win a tournament like this. It's been a great week and they were awesome."
Asked about the men's success by the Spirit Invitational media team, Burnett concluded: "All week they kept giving themselves chances. They started their rounds steady, but around the turn, they lit up. The scoring between holes eight to 13 was incredible.
"I've known Dom and Matt since their early teens so to see them come out here and do what they've done is fantastic. They've grown, they've matured and they've got their whole future ahead of them."
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org