As the RyDov Cup looms ever closer on the horizon the eyes of the EuroDov Tour come to rest on two individuals. These players stand above all others and carry the hopes and dreams of their 11 players in the quest to lift the RyDov Cup.

RyDov Cup captaincy doesn’t come lightly, it’s an honor that only 10 players have held and an even rarer honor to win – few names have made it on to the coveted trophy, names like McColgan, Hedges, Duncan, Baxter and Brannan and in 2023 2 players will be vying to have their name, their team, their story permanently written into the storied history of the RyDov Cup.

The 2023 Captains boast 4 majors between them and 2 regular season events amongst them, their Tour pedigree stretches back to the founding of the Tour and in 2023 they come head-to-head for the first time as Captains but also in the morning singles matchplay.

They are of course Andy Love and Kevin Brannan. The From the Locker Room Team sat down with them to catch-up on all things RyDov Cup, Captaincy, and their thoughts ahead of the big dance.

Welcome both, the teams have been announced for the 2023 RyDov Cup, how does it feel – as a Captain – in the build up to the day?

Kevin Brannan said, “Although this will be second occasion as captain, it's the first time I've been in the hot seat for picking pairings and making sure the team has the best chance of success. I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been keeping me up at night, but I've got confidence the guys will deliver.”

Challenging Captain – Andy Love – said, “It's different for me than most years - previously I'd only really think about it in the week or two leading up to it, especially with the focus being on all the other EuroDov events throughout the summer. It's not distracted my focus from them, but it's been good to have this to focus on and being able to prepare the team for what is, undoubtedly, the jewel in the EuroDov crown.”

Andy, this is your first Captaincy – should we expect things to be done a bit differently than in the past?

“I don't know enough about previous captains and all the ways they've handled it to say if things will be different - I'll handle it the way I know best and hopefully that'll be enough to get the job done.”

Kevin, you have a 100% success rate in winning the Cup, as a player and Captain, does this breed confidence or add pressure?

“It's something I've been trying not to think of. Being victorious in all previous appearances has always been a team effort and I've been lucky enough to play on great winning teams. There's lots of experience in the team who can also help the rookies and guide them home.”

The Vice-Captains for 2023 are Stevie Orr for Team Brannan and Kieran Lynch for Team Love – what were the Captain’s thoughts on making these selections?

Brannan, who selected Orr for his VC at the Carnegie Cup said, “who else can you trust than one of your oldest friends on Tour. We know each other’s games and ways of thinking inside and out. I also trust him implicitly knowing he'll do whatever is best for the team.”

Love said of Lynch, “Lynchy has been a steady presence at the RyDov and is a well-liked figure amongst the tour. I think it's a good opportunity for him to be more prominent over the next few years, but I also value his opinion on a lot of things, especially with his experience and knowledge of the field, being involved as long as he has.”

In 2023 both Captains have chosen to send themselves out in the first match – this is the first time any Captain has led their team out since David McColgan in 2013 – so what was the thinking here?

Love – who played in, and won, match 1 in 2016 - said, “The first tees in the first groups come with a fair amount of pressure - I wanted to go out first to lay down a marker to the rest of the team, and to the other team too. Hopefully the first tee shot is a good one, which will hopefully settle the nerves. I'd always back myself in RyDov singles, my record speaks for itself, so I'd like the opportunity to get points on the board early for us, and to be there at the 18th to welcome the rest of the team back to the clubhouse. “

Brannan said, “easy. [Andy] Love wants the headlines, and I knew he'd put himself out first. What better way to match that by backing yourself to go toe to toe with your opposing captain.”

So, what are their thoughts on the Captain v Captain battle in match 1?

Brannan continued, “it's going to be a good match. It could depend on what version of Love turns up. If he plays to his best and makes a mockery of his handicap, there is every chance he runs away with it. If that happens, I'll be happy to shake his hand on the final green.

If he doesn't bring that A-game then I'll be expecting to bring the first points home. I fully expect Love to be saying something similar about myself.”

Love said, “It'll be an interesting matchup - Kev has a better handicap but, in this format, I don't think there's a great deal between us.”

One of the biggest challenges for a RyDov Cup Captain is the setting of the order, the mental gymnastics of deciding who goes out when, so how did our 2023 Captains deal with this?

Brannan said, “First of all, I wanted pairings that will gel well together in terms of personality and experience. I feel I’ve done that, making sure there is plenty of tournament and local knowledge around the course. Secondly, it was about making sure that there was the correct blend of strength across the pairings, making sure the line-up wasn't stacked either up front or in the final groupings.”

Love explained, “The morning line-up is actually based on balancing out the team across the tee times to make sure everyone has a decent amount of turnaround time before the afternoon pairings. Without knowing the oppositions singles line-ups, you could go insane thinking about all the different possible singles opponents.”

The 2023 line-ups have thrown up some tasty matches - any you are especially looking forward to?

Love said, “Stuart Allan vs Allan Kinnear and Barry Cunningham vs Greig Baxter are two really interesting ties between 2 pairs or really well-matched golfers. I'm delighted I'll get to witness one of them live.”

Brannan said, “This may sound like I've only looked at the top order but matches 2 and 3 really are of particular interest. In match 2, big hitting behemoths Allan and Kinnear come face to face. Kinnear has an incredible record and someone every RyDov Cup team looks to leverage. Allan can be a match for anybody on his day. In match 3, 2 of the steadiest players on Tour are going to battle it out over 18 holes and I fully anticipate that it could go to the 18th green.”

EuroDov Reporter has the match balanced at 7-5 in favour of Team Love after the morning singles, is this a fair reflection?

Brannan said, “This is the strongest line up we've ever seen at The RyDov and both teams have experience, flair and winning mentality. I expect that it will be all to play for going in to the afternoon sessions.”

Love explained, “You can never predict these sorts of things - there are a lot of good ties in the morning singles, and it all comes down to how people do on the day. The aim is to be going into the afternoon with a lead, so we can press on in the afternoon.”

So now the line-ups are set, what’s the message to the Teams?

Andy Love said, “The message is that I believe in every single one of them, they all have it in them to win. Don't get too high after winning a hole, don't get too low after losing a hole. Just play your game, commit to every shot and get it right up them.”

Team Brannan’s leader, Kevin Brannan said, “The team is loaded with all the experience and match play and local knowledge we need.

We're going to be going up against a strong team in Team Love but if we head out on to the course with the freedom to play our own golf, not intimidated by any mind games from the opponent we'll be in a good spot to defend that trophy.”

Well, there we have it folks, the scene is set, the match-ups confirmed and the countdown well and truly on for the EuroDov Tour’s curtain call of 2023.

We’ll see you at Kinross Golf Courses on September 2nd, 2023, for the ninth playing of the RyDov Cup.