On the 7th September 2013 the inaugural event of what would become the EuroDov Tour was held.

12 players gathered at Kinross Golf Courses for a 6 v 6 match with singles matchplay in the morning and greensomes matchplay in the afternoon, in what would become to be known the RyDov Cup.

The history of the match is well known with team Wills – captained by William McColgan – leading 4.5 to 1.5 after the morning losing to Team Dov – captained by David McColgan – who won all three afternoon matches and the entire match 7.5 to 4.5.

These founding members ignited a spark that is still glowing today in the nearly 40 members of the EuroDov Tour.

As we approach the 10th playing of the RyDov Cup, we unleashed EuroDov Reporter on the archive books to bring you a ‘Where are they now’ analysis of the Founders.

So, sit back and enjoy some EuroDov Tour history.

Christopher Bell – A member of Team Dov, Bell managed a half point in the morning sessions playing against Stuart Sutherland.

He partnered Stephen Green in the afternoon playing against William McColgan and James Webb. This match was the lynch pin on the entire tournament as it went up the 18th hole with Team Dov needing the win to overcome a 3-point deficit in the morning singles.

Reporting from the day said, “Christopher Bell's putting had kept the Team Dov pairing in the match for most of the afternoon and with the other two matches gathered at the 18th hole both teams found themselves on the green for three and par putts awaiting. Webb with a 22-footer rolled his putt to 3 feet leaving Christopher Bell with an 18-footer for Par and the win.

With the hopes of his team on his shoulders Bell stroked the putt dead centre and perfect wait, and as it dropped Team Dov won, possibly the unlikeliest in the history of RyDov History. But a clean sweep of the afternoon Greensomes saw the Team win 7.5 v 4.5 and complete the Collapse at Kinross.”

Bell never played another RyDov Cup, or EuroDov Tour event, but his heroics on the 18th green will never be forgotten.

Kevin Brannan – Brannan was also a member of the winning Team Dov. He lost his morning singles match to William McColgan but won in the afternoon alongside Scott Hamilton in his match against Barry Cunningham and Andy Love.

Brannan entered RyDov folklore being on the winning team 7 RyDov Cups in a row, with his winning streak only ending in 2023.

Brannan has played 8 RyDov Cups winning 8 points in total, representing a 33%-win rate.

Outside of the RyDov Cup Brannan has competed in the EuroDov Tour’s Order of Merit every year since 2021 winning the 2022 Tour Champs.

He has also won 2 Majors in the shape of the 2023 EuroDov Cup and the Invitational Tournament in the same year making him one of only 3 players to hold multiple Majors on Tour.

Barry Cunningham – Cunningham was part of Team Wills in 2013 and won his singles match against David McColgan. He’d lose his afternoon match against Brannan and Hamilton however.

Cunningham’s performance in the morning was enough to win him the Montgomery Cup, and the honour of the first ever Major winner on Tour.

Cunningham’s appearances on Tour have been plenty although somewhat sporadic. Since his appearance in 2013 he’s made 5 further RyDov Cup appearances collecting 9 points, that’s a 60%-win rate.

Cunningham played in the 2022 and 2023 Order of Merit’s and won the Inchkeith Cup and the King’s Cup in 2023, his first wins since the Montgomery Cup in 2013.

Stephen Green – Green was a member of Team Dov, he lost his opening match to John Hedges and was part of the pairing with Chris Bell that clinched the Cup for Team Dov.

Green has been an active member of the EuroDov Tour playing in the 2021 Order of Merit and winning the maiden MCM tournament.

His appearances on the EuroDov Tour are limited these days after a relocation to London but he still competes annually in the EuroDov Cup.

Scott Hamilton – Hamilton was a member of Team Dov in 2013, halving his match against Andy Love in the singles and winning his greensomes match alongside Brannan.

In 2013 Hamilton became the first winner of the Bruce Shield.

Hamilton went on to play in 4 RyDov Cups winning a total of 8 points giving him an impressive 67%-win rate.
He also played in the inaugural Anstruther Medal in 2021 partnering Kieran Lynch.

Hamilton’s appearances on the EuroDov Tour were halted that year when he relocated to St John’s, Canada, and he hasn’t played on Tour since.

John Hedges – Hedges was on Team Wills and won his opening match against Stephen Green. In the afternoon session he partnered Stuart Sutherland as they were beat 7&6 by McColgan and McCran.

Hedges has made 8 appearances in the RyDov Cup totaling 9.5 points giving him a 40%-win rate.

Hedges won the 2018 Bruce Shield.

His participation in the Tour outside of the RyDov Cup has been limited to appearances in the 2018 and 2019 EuroDov Cup.

Andy Love – Love was on Team Wills in 2013 and managed half a point against Scott Hamilton before losing his afternoon greensomes to Hamilton & Brannan.

He’s made 7 appearances in the RyDov Cup amassing 11.5 points giving him a 55%-win rate.

In 2023 he successfully challenged Kevin Brannan to win the RyDov Cup as a Captain.

Love has played in every iteration of the Order of Merit, winning the 2021 King’s Cup and his best overall season coming in 2023 where he finished 2nd.

Loves greatest achievements on Tour come in the shape of 2 Majors. In 2021 he lifted the Montgomery Cup and in 2022 he followed it straight up with a win in the inaugural Invitational Tournament.

David McColgan – McColgan captain Team Dov in 2013, losing his singles match and winning his greensomes.

His Captaincy ended in 2017 after his team won 3 straight Cups.

McColgan is one of only two players to appear in all 9 playing’s of the cup boasting 14.5 points and a 54%-win rate.

McColgan won the Montgomery Cup on four occasions between 2016 and 2019. Since the creation of the Tour’s four Majors McColgan has one the Montgomery on four occasions, the James Braid Quaich on four occasions, the EuroDov Cup on four occasions and in 2024 he won the Invitational Tournament to complete the career grand slam.

McColgan honour roll on Tour boasts 13 Major’s, 9 Order of Merit events, and 5 other trophies.

William McColgan – McColgan Snr. captained Team Wills in 2013 and won his singles match against Kevin Brannan and lost on the 18th green to Bell & Green.

He would go on to play 7 RyDov Cups, winning 5 points giving him a win rate of 24%.

He won the 2020 Bruce Shield and the 2021 Kinross Medal (awarded to the best greensomes pairing in the afternoon).

McColgan also appeared in 2 EuroDov Cups before retiring from the Tour in 2021.

Marcus McCran – McCran was on Team Dov in 2013 and halved his morning match with James Webb, he’d partner with David McColgan for the devasting 7&6 win over Hedges & Sutherland.

McCran played 5 RyDov Cups winning 9.5 points giving him a win rate of 63%.

He played in a limited number of events outside of the RyDov Cup, namely the Anstruther Medal where he partnered Andy love at Anstruther (’21) and Milnathort (’22).

McCran last played in the RyDov Cup in 2020.

Stuart Sutherland – Sutherland was on Team Wills in 2013 and halved his morning match with Christopher Bell. His afternoon match was lost to McColgan & McCran.

Sutherland has played in every iteration of the RyDov Cup, making 9 appearances. He has won a total of 13.5 points giving him a win rate of 50%.

Sutherland has played in the Order of Merit every year since it was funded in 2021 and in 2024, he won his first two events, the St Andrews Open and the Kinghorn Classic. In 2024 Sutherland finished 4th in the overall standings, his best finish to date.

James Webb – James Webb was on Team Wills in 2013. He halved his morning match against Marcus McCran and lost in the final greensomes match on the 18th green to Bell & Green.

James Webb appeared on the EuroDov Tour again following 2013.

As we get ready to mark the 10th playing of the RyDov Cup we’ll be welcoming Stuart Sutherland and David McColgan who are making their 10th appearances at the event but also Barry Cunningham, Andy Love and John Hedges will be playing with Kevin Brannan a non-playing Vice Captain.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our walk down memory lane and join us for all the news, insight and analysis from the 10th RyDov Cup on Saturday 7th September.