The Carnegie Cup is always a fun break from the EuroDov Tour coverage, a moment to put aside personal glory and rivalry on Tour and come together for unified glory.

As the rain thumped down across the course, it was great to see the unity in the EuroDov Tour team as they lifted the Cup for the second year in a row.

It was a team effort out there from scoring points, to supporting team mates as the rain soaked to the skin – a real collective endeavour to get the job done.

We’ve sat done with Kevin Brannan at the end of all his greatest moments on Tour but there was a real sense this one was different.

Kevin - congratulations on defending the Carnegie Cup how does it feel?

“Quite frankly, it's excellent. What a feeling after 36 holes, to come back to the clubhouse and pick up that trophy.”

You were announced immediately following the win in 2023, did that feel like a vote of confidence, or was the pressure on immediately?

“I don't think it was either to be honest. The tour has set out their criteria for Carnegie Captains and as that fell on my shoulders again I only saw it as the job in front of me that was to be done.”

In 2024 the SanWedge Tour hosted the event, and it was on a course unknown to most of the EuroDov Tour players, how did that affect your build up?

“It definitely played a part conceding the home advantage.

We thought about it carefully and tried to prepare as best we could but there was some weather issues which got in our way (not the last time). It wasn't ideal prep but we didn't dwell on it and focused on what we could control.”

You had a pretty hardened team, but you were carrying three rookies (Paul Gowens, Rory Malloch and Alan Duncan) what did you do to settle them in?

“Firstly, although Gowens and Duncan might be rookies to the Carnegie Cup, they have been involved on Tour for long enough that it wasn't going to phase them.

However, I still did partner all 3 with seasoned match play players and I think the results of all 3 were exceptional.”

Conditions on the day were pretty tough - what was the conversations in the locker room before heading out? How do you think your boys handled it?

“It was very much on focus on controlling the controllable. It was wet but you had to focus on still picking the correct shot, thinking of your partner and how to keep yourself warm.”

Allan/Gowens and Duncan/McColgan put the first points on the board with dominant 7&5 and 8&7 wins respectively - what's the feeling like when you see that blue going up on the board?

“It's great to get an early lead but it's vital to remember that it's exactly that, an early lead.

You still have to focus on what golf is still to be played. We’ve seen how quickly matches could change and I think the boys done a great job of that.”

The next two matches in saw SanWedge win 1 and square one - do things get a bit tense at that point?

“It did get a little closer over the next few results but there was still a lot of golf to be played and a lot of points to be played for. It wasn't going to be decisive at this point in the contest.”

The morning Foursomes finished with EuroDov Tour 7-5 up going into the singles - was that a comfortable enough lead, what was the mood in the camp?

“It was a little smaller than I think some of the team had maybe thought it could have been. At one point in the morning the board was all blue. We knew what the permutations were in the afternoon and were focused on going out and winning our points.”

The first points on the board in the afternoon were to EuroDov Tour with Paul Gowens winning 8&7 - quite the debut for Gowens was it not?

“It seems to be a pattern with him doesn't it...rookie events and he pulls it out the bag to produce stunning results. He doesn't have his own on Tour moniker for no reason.”

The next 3 games to finish saw EuroDov Tour win 2 and lose one to make it 10-6, meaning you only needed 2 points to retain. Do you start writing your winners speech at this point?

“Not at all.

I was involved in my own on course contest and had begun to forget about the wider outcomes.

In some respect it was amiss of me however I was trying to get my primary on course job done of putting points on the board.”

With half the matches completed EuroDov Tour had won 4.5 points to SanWedge’s 1.5 points but matches 7, 8 and 10 finished with a swing to SanWedge to leave it poised at 4.5 to 4.5 - what's going through your mind here?

“I tried not to think about it too much. I had to try and focus on my own game to deliver a vital point.

I always had confidence in the group that between us we would get the required points in the bag. There is always going to be swings in these matches over 2 or 3 holes, I was always confident.”

In match 9 McColgan was 5Up thru 9 and with everyone tied up in the morning session looked like the anchor. Many commented it was odd to see him out in the latter groups, but when his 9 iron from the fairway bunker left him 15 feet for the win and as he shook hands to win his match and the Cup for EuroDov you must have felt like you silenced your critics?

“Oh absolutely. McColgan is the undisputed best golfer to have played in the Carnegie Cup and other EuroDov events.

With that he is usually sent out first to put points on the board.

However, this year I wanted to change it up and have strength right through the order. That meant I decided to put him out as the anchor, and it definitely seems to have worked.”

It's a funny old game - the 2024 result identical to the 2023 one with a 13.5 - 10.5 winning margin - are the team closer than they look on paper?

“I think on paper we do still have the best team with the best ability across 12 golfers.

What it does go to show is if the handicapper got it right it produces tight results and tight matches. I think we'd all say the same that the handicapping system does make it a much leveller playing field for all."

What words do you have for the EuroDov team after today's win?

⁠“Thanks to all who played and gave their all. It's been a pleasure to lead this group and they've all played to the best of their abilities. It's been vindicated by sitting here with this glorious trophy.”

The EuroDov Tour have announced Andy Love as the 2025 Captain, how involved were you in that choice and what words of advice would you give him?

“It was time for me to step aside and let someone else come through with new ideas and new thoughts for the team.

I'm delighted to be handing over to Love and I'm sure the team will be in safe hands. I've already seen some of the changes he's making and I'm sure it's going to make for an even greater team next year.”

Well thank you for your time, Kevin, and we’ll let you get back to the EuroDov Tour team room and celebrate with the boys.

It was remarkable day in the history of the Carnegie Cup and I think one that will set the tournament up for a bigger and better 2025.