It’s been quite the night of filing copy and drying out after the 2024 Carnegie Cup.

The teams would have been better served in a kayaking contest than golf given the conditions out there at times and on days like that you must feel for EuroDov Reporter out there walking the course will us lot at From the Locker Room are very much ensconced in said locker room keeping dry.

Anyway, it’s their choice for being stats geeks and shot by shot junkies…us lot, we prefer the gossip and the comedy of the post round interview. But after a late-night catching-up with the players we’ve been summoned to EuroDov Tour HQ for a special announcement.

Bleary eyed, the strong black coffee on offer is for once greatly appreciated, and as we settle into the conference room, we are welcomed by EuroDov Tour Secretary David McColgan, we’ll hand you over to him as proceedings begin.

“Welcome all – thank you for joining us today.

Yesterday’s EuroDov Tour win at the Carnegie Cup was brilliant, it was brilliant for the players on the day and the whole Tour who were rooting them on.

On behalf of everyone at the Tour I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the 11 players, who faced some very tough conditions for their commitment and professionalism.

I’d like to reserve a special thank you to Kevin Brannan. Kevin is a founding member of the Tour and after leading the Tour as Captain at the Carnegie Cup in 2023, agreed to lead the team in 2024, and as with 2023 led it well.

His name will be synonymous with the Tour’s success in the first two Carnegie Cups and he’ll leave a blueprint of success for the future.

And that future starts now.

After discussions with Kevin, and the wider Tour administration, we’ll be going in a slightly different direction for 2025. After a home and travelling win in the first two Carnegie Cups it feels like a perfect time to build on those foundations.

I’d like to welcome to the room, founding member of the EuroDov Tour, 2-time Major winner and the EuroDov Tour Captain for 2025, Mr. Andrew Love.

The Tour recognizes Love’s achievements in the game and looks to his multiple Major career and successful captaincy at the 2023 RyDov Cup as clear signs of his ability to take the team forward.

Love will have full control over selection criteria and work with the Tour on course selection and set-up ahead of the 2025 event.

I’d like to thank Kevin for his efforts over the past two years, wish him well and now hand over to Andy Love.
Thanks you.”

Congratulations Andy, with the announcement of your Captaincy of the 2025 EuroDov Tour team at the Carnegie Cup - how does it feel?

“It’s an honour, and one I won’t be taking lightly. It’s great to take up the mantle off the back of a big win, but the pressure is instantly on to make sure we keep that winning streak up next year.”

You've played in 2 Carnegie Cups - how will you draw on this experience for 2025?

“Over the last two Carnegie Cups you get to understand the opposing team that little bit more and allow yourself to prepare more meticulously.”

You won the 2023 RyDov Cup as Captain - does this give you confidence in starting to prep for 2025?

“As similar as the formats are, they are totally different events. Having that winning experience will help, but I won’t rely on it.”

Working alongside the EuroDov Tour administrators, you'll be picking the course and discussing set-up ahead of 2025, can you give us an idea of some of the courses you might be looking at and why?

“⁠I think we need to balance a couple of things - the difficulty of the course (to accommodate everyone from both sides), the level of familiarity our team has (no point in wasting ‘home’ advantage) and the affordability - we want to make sure everyone can easily take part in amongst (for many) an already packed golfing schedule.

So far I’d say Burntisland, Pitreavie and Canmore are under consideration, with others likely to be discussed in the coming weeks.”

As Love was being announced the Tour issued the following statement for immediate release.

“2025 Carnegie Cup player selection criteria.

Following the completion of the 2024 Carnegie Cup and the confirmation of Andy Love as the 2025 Captain the Tour would like to notify EuroDov Tour eligible players of the 2025 selection criteria.

1. A maximum of 3 players will be guaranteed selection via the 2024 Matchplay. These 3 players will constitute any finalists and the winner of the third-place play-off (as long as they are eligible for selection).
2. Winner of the Montgomery Cup (as long as they are eligible for selection)
3. The top 6-8 players from the Carnegie Cup selection points (dependent on pre-qualification in points 1 &2)
4. Remaining spots filled by Captain’s picks.

The following tournaments are designated events;
June 2nd 2024 – Dodhead Invitational
July 7th 2024 – Anstruther Medal^
July 21st 2024 – King’s Cup
August 18th 2024 – Forrester-Lochgelly Open
August 30th 2024 – Tour Championships
August 30th 2024 – James Braid Quaich*
September 7th 2024 – Montgomery Cup*
March 26th 2025 – EuroDov Cup^
April 6th 2025 – St Andrews Open

In each event the top 8 EuroDov Tour players will be awarded points

1st place will receive 800 points with subsequent places awarded in 100-point increments with the 8th and final place receiving 100 points. Starred events offer double points. Events with ^ will feature award half points only.

Q-School players will be eligible for points in the Dodhead, King’s, Forrester-Lochgelly and St Andrews events.”

You've announced your selection criteria - can you talk us through your thinking in departing from the tried and tested method?

“The Official Tour Rankings are a great barometer of life on Tour, but ⁠the two-year window for the rankings means that many in-form players can miss out.

We want to bring a team that’s playing well in the run up to the event and want to ensure ‘making the team’ is something people can really play for.”

Well, there we have it folks – the 2025 Carnegie Cup captain for the EuroDov Tour team will be Andy Love and with the new captaincy comes a new selection criterion, that kicks off this coming Sunday at the Dodhead Invitational.

It’s going to be an exciting few months as we watch the players jostle for a place on the 2025 Carnegie Cup team alongside their regular tournament play.