Nellie clinches gold

Team England fired a tournament record to clinch two of three team golds at the 2024 Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship in Texas.

From (L to R) Stephen Burnett, Nellie Ong, Dominic Clemons, Matthew Dodd-Berry, Patience Rhodes, Richard Martin

Dominic Clemons, Matthew Dodd-Berry, Nellie Ong and Patience Rhodes combined 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.

"44-under? That sounds pretty good doesn't it?" said Team Manager Stephen Burnett. "I knew we had a good team, but to shoot the numbers we did, it exceeded expectations. It's been a great week and they were awesome." 

Asked about the men's success by the Spirit Invitational media team, Burnett added: "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 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.

"It was good fun out there," said Clemons. "We got it going on the back nine and although we couldn't take all our chances in the men’s team event, we've won the overall prize. It's been a great week with the girls and with some great people too.

Ong added: "I love this format and playing with Patience and the guys. It means a lot to play here so to take home a gold medal feels incredible."

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