The excitement is building in the Locker room as the team pack their killer socks and sandals combos for the season opening EuroDov Cup.

Like Bears emerging from hibernation, we’re a little bit hairier than last October, hungry for some golf and squinting at the big orange thing in the sky.

As a little aperitif ahead of the main event the From the Locker Room team have been meeting up with some of the players in the 2023 EuroDov Cup field, to get their thoughts ahead of the season opening tournament, and Major to boot.

We’re excited – who isn’t shorts on a golf course in March, woohoo! – but how do the players feel?

2022 runner-up Kevin Brannan told the team “I can't wait to get back out on to the golf course regularly. It's been a bleak winter season weather wise, but Springs arrival brings us better golfing conditions. The competition element is just an added bonus.”

Third place finisher in 2022, Stephen Green said, “I am very excited, always great to get those competitive juices going again and a perfect way to start the season!”

2022 winner, and defending champion, David McColgan said, “It’s felt like an age since we all stepped on a course on Tour, so it’ll be great to see the guys again, and get back to competing. The added bonus of kicking it all off in Cascais is just perfect.”

Graeme Connor, making his EuroDov Cup debut said, “I am absolutely buzzing to get back out playing competitive golf, it’s been a long winter with very little on-course golf. What better way to kick-off than playing in some winter sunshine.”

Fellow rookie, Stevie Orr said, “I’m very much looking forward to it. Blowing the cobwebs off in sunny Portugal sounds like a good idea to me.”

And finally, we caught up with 2018 runner-up Denis Duncan who said, “It’s going to be great to get going again. Just hope I can get off to a good start and maintain that over the whole season.”

The EuroDov Cup hasn’t been held on the continent or in it’s traditional spot of March for 3 years now, is it extra special that a Major is up for grabs in the first event of the season?

Stephen Green said, “being a major always adds a little spice to it. You can tell the guys take it a little more seriously, for the first round anyway.”

Graeme Connor said, “there’s no better way than throwing yourself in at the deep end and get a feel for where your game is at. Hopefully my hours on the range and simulator have paid off!”

Stevie Orr said, “Absolutely. A Major has an extra special buzz about it, so it will only make the trip better.”
Denis Duncan, said, “A major is a major whenever it is played. I would just like to win one. I feel like the only event I have won on Tour was tainted with a count back.”

Kevin Brannan said, “It's going to be a challenge. I've not had a busy winter season, so my expectations reflect this. I'm looking forward to playing in my first EuroDov Cup abroad and seeing some sun.”

David McColgan – one of only 2 Major winners in the field in 2023 – said, “it’s always exciting when one of the titles re up for grabs and it definitely focusses the mind. Kicking off the season with though…I think we’d all have liked a few more rounds under our belts before hand but that’s just the way the game goes sometimes.”

The Tour returns to the Continent for the first time since 2019, what is the challenge around playing golf abroad in March?

McColgan said, “I think you’ll find a lot of the boys are a bit apprehensive, due to the lack of on-course practice. We’ve had arctic conditions in Scotland the last few weeks and when we get to Portugal, we’re expecting firmer and faster fairways, certainly faster greens and with slightly warmer conditions the ball is going to go that bit further. So, there’ll undoubtedly be a period of adjustment.”

Brannan agreed that “the biggest challenge is going to be the lack of golf that I think most players will have experienced over the last few months, due to various reasons. Weather being perhaps the biggest issue.

I'm not even going to pretend that playing in a different country, climate, grass, etc. is going to have as much of impact when I haven't swung in anger since December.”

Green remarked, “I don’t think it being abroad is a challenge in itself but the fact the weather has been poor in the lead is has restricted practice so may be a few rusty swings out there.”

Stevie Orr said, “playing abroad at any time of the year has its challenges. From the varying style of courses to the heat. It will be interesting to see how everyone fairs.”

We’ve got a mixed field in 2023, with 2 EuroDov Rookies and only 4 players who have played the Cup on the continent. But what are everyone’s hopes for 2023.

Kevin Brannan plays in his first EuroDov Cup abroad and in 2022 his debut saw him come within millimetres of winning his first major, what are his hopes for 2023?

“My goal is to be competing at the top end of the leaderboard at various tournaments. Proving that my 2022 challenges at the top weren't a flash in the pan.

With the small winner’s pool of major winners, you know how hard it is to win one. To be in the hunt on 54th hole again, let's hope I've got the minerals to handle the pressure.”

For Stephen Green this is his first European EuroDov Cup since 2018, however in 2022 he was tied for the lead after 53 holes, what's the goals for 2023?

“Same as last year- focus, play my game and hopefully I’ll be in the mix at the start of the last round.”
Stevie Orr makes his EuroDov Cup debut, what are his expectations going into 2023?

“Play more consistently than last year. If I can do that, then hopefully I can be further up the points list compared to 2022. A win might be too optimistic, but you never know. Golf is a funny game at times.”

David McColgan who plays in his fifth EuroDov Cup – winner in 4 – said of his expectations, “I fully expect to be seen as the man to beat in 2023, and for many it’s an uncomfortable place to be, but I am just looking forward to going out, playing some good golf (hopefully) and seeing how the chips fall.”

Speaking off the man to beat. The last winner when the Cup was held in Cascais, Portugal was Greig Baxter. He returns for 2023 and for many he carries the moniker of favourite into the event. What do the field think?
Kevin Brannan said, “Greig always has a target on his back, with the amount of smack talk he gives out. He'll be a threat, he always is.”

Graeme Connor said, “I think it’s anyone’s game really, Greig will have some helpful experience, but you need to produce on the day, I’m not sure Greig will feel too much pressure.”

Stevie Orr said, “when you’ve won it before, everyone will think you are the one to beat. We’ll see what happens!”

Stephen Green started the mind games early, simply replying “Who????”

Well, there we have it folks a run down of the thoughts of some of the field. The FTLR team will be in Cascais, Portugal, for the week following the EuroDov Cup and making sure we bring you the latest news, and insights from the Tour.