Team Europe
Welcome to the Team Europe Page.
We can announce that Team Europe's Captain for this year's final is Steve Faulkner.
Steve, along with his opposing Captain Ian Readman, will be providing a daily blog at this year's final which you will be able to view on this page ensuring you keep up to date with everything as it happens.
Also make sure you click here to see a selection of photos, news and results from this year's final and the important build up as we arrive in Orlando.
Steve's Final Thoughts
A very early fightback from the ROW team, saw the game go right down to the wire. The extra experience in the ROW team saw them put the first 3 points on the board from the singles matches and draw the match level. The experience of Hugh O'Connor, Alistair Price and myself then fought back, with the addition of another solid performance from Peter Parker playing out top, put Team Europe on the cusp of victory. Once Paul Densham had completed another victory and Garett Endenberg contested an excellent half against the ROW team's most inspirational player James Green, the job was done and Europe had reclaimed the trophy! It just left Mark Crossan to give a very generous half from a dormi 2 up position to complete the final score of 13.5 - 10.5.
Again I would like to extend my upmost gratitude to the fantastic organisation of the event and to the ROW captain Ian Readman who conducted himself impeccably in the leadership of the team. Fingers crossed we will contest another match at some time in the future.
Steve's thoughts - Day Three
After another fantastic days golf in sun drenched Orlando, Europe take a very hard earned lead into the last days singles. Every member of the team gave their best on the very testing course making the finale something to savour. The team spirit has been fantastic and no matter what the outcome tomorrow, the European team can hold their heads high and be proud of their performance.
Steve's thoughts - Day Two
What a great day's golf! Having the chance to spar with foursomes opposition in the morning led to some great match play golf in the afternoon. The ROW team took the initiative in the early pairings with a 3-1 lead, but some solid golf at the tail end of the European team saw honours even at the end of the first day. Let's hope tomorrow brings another great day of Swingers Golf.
Steve's thoughts - Day One
Having gelled well as a team on the journey over, we have decided to pair players based on handicap. All players are feeling fresh after the fantastic flight over and keen to get on the course in the morning. There is a confident mood in the team and we hope to convert this to points on the board for Team Europe.
Steve previews the final and his team below:
It is with great pride I accept the honour of captaining the European Swingers Team. Arguably the strongest team to take to the fairways yet, I am under no illusion, the only reason Team Europe will not be returning to these shores as champions, will be the perfomance of the Captain.
I want every menber of the team to know they can come to me with any issues, concerns or questions, no matter how trivial they may seem. With this heavy burden of responsibility, I will look to make myself available to the team at all times, so if I am seen hanging around the bar for most of the trip, you know I am simply making myself accessible to the team.
I would like to spend the time travelling to the venue as a way of getting to know all the new players in the team, as well as reviewing all The Rest of the World Team’s handicaps. There is a great mix of experience and youth in the team and the three other returning players from last season's European Swingers Team could not be better, even if I had the option to hand pick them myself.
The biggest change to the format this year is the introduction of the foursomes format, on the first day, which replaces the rather relaxed practice round we played last year. Foursomes is a fantastic format, especially for matchplay and by the end of the first day you will certainly know your playing partner well. As I mentioned before, the time spent travelling will give me an opportunity to speak to you all and I would like to have a good idea of who will be partnering each other on the first day, when we get off the plane.
The only two things I ask of my players over the three days of golf is to turn up on time and enjoy the experience, this is a fantastic trip, with great people, so make sure you make the most of it. Sulking and long faces will not be tolerated, no matter how many golf balls you lose in the water!
It just leaves the introduction to rest of my team and to welcome the challenge from The Rest of the World.
Steve Faulkner – Handicap 4 (CAPTAIN)
Having just made the team by sinking a 15 foot birdie putt on the last hole of his final qualifying round, this is my second final in three seasons as a Swinger. I have just been appointed Captain of the scratch team at Cotswold Hills, so this trip should be good test for me.
Nigel Cutting – Handicap 1
Returning for his 4th final, last year’s Captain will be determined to be on the winning side this year, giving me the benefit of his experience. After a season of fantastic golf which saw him reach his lowest Swingers handicap ever, Nigel will be sure to play a huge part in this years final.
Paul Densham – Handicap 2
Brocket Hall member Paul Densham is our first rookie, but what a rookie to have. After some superb form during his first season, Paul is the perfect example of why you should keep entering your scores and earning your bonus points. Paul finished sixth in the Fun Swingers section and thought he had missed out until he received the call!
Mark Crossan – Handicap 4
Mark is our second rookie and youngest finalist since Season 1. Mark finished top of the club leaderboard in his first season and received huge praise from his club secretary for his superb performances. Mark only took up golf 3 years ago and looks destined for great things.
Dave Hoyland – Handicap 3
Rookie number 3! Dave plays his golf at Robin Hood Golf Club in Yorkshire and is in his first year as a Swinger. Another single handicapper helping to make this on paper our strongest European team ever.
Alastair Price – Handicap +1
Alistair, undoubtedly our best golfer, returns for a third final having now become a +1 golfer. Sure to be an inspiration to his team mates and a great foursomes and betterball partner to have!
James Hayes – Handicap 12
Our fourth rookie, James is another young player who plays his golf at Northwood Golf Club and has a very consistent first season as a Swinger.
John Elliott – Handicap 16
Our fifth rookie from Bedfordshire GC, John has certainly enjoyed his second year as a Swinger, and has a first final to look forward to.
Hugh O’Connor – Handicap 6
Hugh, our Swinger from Ireland, and one of the most steady performers at last year’s final, returns to see if Europe can wrestle the trophy back this time round.
Bob Scott – Handicap 19
Bob makes the European team for the first time although it’s actually his third final having qualified for two of the earlier Swingers finals which ran as 18 hole individual events. Bob can also claim to be one of our most loyal Swingers having joined up in Season 1 back in 2005!
Peter Parker – Handicap 20
Peter qualified for the final by winning the gold member’s day at Brocket Hall back in June with a tremendous score of 45 points. He will be hoping to take that form into the final.
Garett Endenburg – Handicap 9
Garett battled terrible weather at our gold member’s day at the London Club to make the team; fingers crossed he will not have to face the same challenging conditions in Orlando.
Average Team Handicap – 7.9
