THE SIGHT of Keith Nolan in a mere polo shirt left observers shuddering almost as much as the icy northern winds in the men's Home Internationals at Moray GC, Lossiemouth, yesterday, where Ireland recorded a 9 1/2-5 1/2 victory over Wales to set up a head to head showdown with holders England in today's final series of matches.
While other players cocooned themselves in sweaters and windcheaters, the scantily clad Bray golfer who beat Matthew Ellis by one hole, ignored the elements to epitomise the Irish team's spirit in their efforts to regain the Raymond Trophy, last won by Ireland in 1992.
Indeed, Nolan's courage was evident right through the team, and no one demonstrated the determination more than Irish champion Peter Lawrie who recovered from a three hole deficit after six to beat Welsh champion Yestyn Taylor 3 and 2 in the top singles.
All in all it was a good day's work for Ireland. With the scalps of Scotland and Wales already secured, captain Frankie McCarroll's team only require a drawn match with England (who drew with Scotland yesterday) to take the crown.
Ireland's win over the Welsh was accomplished in fine style. The foundations were laid in the foursomes - after which Ireland led 3-2, thanks to a fightback by Jody Fanagan and Michael McGinley who recovered a one hole deficit after 11 to edge home on the last. With five points from 10 singles required to secure victory, Ireland took six and a half. Lawrie, Nolan, Fanagan, Noel Fox, Morrow and Brian Omelia all won, while Morris halved his match.
The performance of the day came from Lawrie, who was three down to Taylor after six holes - despite Lawrie recording birdies at his opening two holes! But the Newlands club man won three successive holes from the seventh to transform the match. He went ahead at the 10th and assumed the upper hand at the 13th where, despite his drive clipping a buggy and kicking into the light rough, he played a delightful nine iron approach to eight feet and sank the birdie putt.
Although Lawrie's advantage was reduced to one hole at the 14th, he rolled in an 18 foot putt for a winning par at the short 15th to regain the initiative and when Taylor pushed his drive into the gorse bushes at the 16th, the writing was on the wall for the Welshman.
Nolan, meanwhile, was involved in a ding dong battle with Ellis in the match behind. Although he turned two up, Nolan was just one up playing the 17th where he was forced to make a great up and down from 15 yards short of the green for a birdie four to share the hole. He then produced a magical four iron approach into the middle of the green at the last. It took the heart out of Ellis and Nolan duly took his two putts from 12 feet for a good win.
Fanagan was also in control of matters against Mark Smith and eventually won 3 and 2. Fox was in a similar position with Lee Harp in and also won 3 and 2 while Morrow, who was five up at the turn on Jamie Donaldson, edged home by just one hole. In the bottom singles match, Omelia, like his Newlands clubmate Lawrie, also staged a fine comeback. Omelia was two down on Matthew Peet after six holes but eventually won 3 and 1.
