This September, the London Scottish Golf Club made history with a hard-fought and well-deserved victory over Royal North Devon Golf Club – England’s oldest golf course – in the away fixture at Westward Ho!, Devon. For the first time in 38 years, LSGC emerged victorious on RND's home turf, marking a significant achievement in the long-standing and friendly rivalry between these two historic clubs.
A Storied Rivalry
Both clubs share a unique bond as two of the oldest golf courses in England, with Royal North Devon Golf Club being founded in 1864 and London Scottish Golf Club following shortly after in 1865. For nearly four decades, this relationship has been celebrated through annual home-and-away matches, with RND often holding the upper hand when playing on their iconic Westward Ho! course. That all changed this year.
A Strong Start
Led by our captain, Chris McConnachie, an 18-strong team from London Scottish Golf Club made the journey to Devon on Friday, the 6th of September, ready for a weekend of competitive but friendly golf. Our team, which included the likes of new Honorary Captain Tommy Tighe, was determined to make this trip one to remember.
Saturday’s matches kicked off at 10am, and after a series of closely contested fourball betterball games, the score at the end of day one stood at 4-4. The competition was as fierce as expected, with both teams battling hard on RND’s unique and challenging links course.
A Nail-Biting Finish
Sunday brought even more drama. As the matches progressed, both teams stayed neck and neck. By the time the penultimate group finished, the score was tied at 7.5-7.5, leaving it all down to the final match, featuring Captain Chris McConnachie and Charlie Simmonds.
In true sporting fashion, the LSGC team gathered around the 18th green, watching anxiously as the final group approached. The pressure was immense, but Chris and Charlie held their nerve, sealing a crucial point with a well-fought victory. The final score: 8.5-7.5 to LSGC, marking our first away win against RND in the history of this revived fixture.
Outstanding Performances
While it was a true team effort, notable mentions go to James Fell and Jason Costain, both of whom were unbeaten across the weekend and played exceptional golf in all their matches. Their consistency and determination were key factors in helping secure this historic result.
Hospitality and Friendship
Of course, a fixture like this is about more than just the competition. RND once again proved themselves to be the ultimate hosts, providing fantastic food, drink, and warm hospitality across the weekend. This camaraderie is what makes the relationship between our two clubs so special, and we are incredibly grateful to RND for making it such an enjoyable experience.
Looking Ahead
With the away victory in Devon now in the books, all eyes are on the next fixture, which will take place in May 2025 on Wimbledon Common and after this triumph, our team will be more motivated than ever to make it three wins in a row and continue building on the success of this historic weekend.
In the meantime, we’ll be celebrating this memorable win, which will undoubtedly go down in the history of London Scottish Golf Club as a momentous occasion. Congratulations to the entire team, and here’s to many more victories in the future!
