LITTLE more than a month after Britain and Ireland had gained an historic, Curtis Cup triumph at Prairies Dunes, Kansas, in August 1986, the women's home internationals were staged at Whittington Barracks, just north of Birmingham. That was where Ita Butler gained the leadership skills which were so evident at Killarney this weekend.
Yet, as she was captaining Ireland to the country's most recent success in the home internationals, Butler could hardly have imagined that, 10 years on, the victory at Prairie Dunes would have culminated in a significant dominance over the Americans.
But the point gained rich emphasis in a sparkling victory on the Killeen stretch, by 11 1/2 to 6 1/2.
Some rather special players did the work, notably the splendid Scot, Alison Rose, whose four points out of four equalled the 1986 achievement by Trish Johnson. But they were brilliantly led by a woman who had done her homework splendidly and who appreciated the importance of having a happy, united side.
"Alison was the star and everyone has taken her to their hearts," said Butler. "But it was a great team effort, mainly because we have never taken anything for granted since 1986, when Diane Bailey's (British and Irish skipper) team prepared extremely well. The players on this side of the Atlantic now know they are as good as any of the players on the other side."
In sharp contrast, the Americans had effectively surrendered by as early as Friday evening, when they trailed 6-3 and seemed to have lost their way under captain, Martha Lang. And with the home lead extended to 8-4 by lunchtime on Saturday, Butler's task was as good as done.
So, after the 29th meeting in the series, Britain and Ireland have won four out of the last six clashes. In fact, their only defeat during the last 10 years was at Somerset Hills, New Jersey, in 1990, when a side that included Julie Hall from last weekend's lined-up lost by the crushing margin of 14-4.
Attempts could be made to dilute this latest triumph by suggesting that the Americans were weak. Before entertaining such notions, however, it should be noted that beaten American teams in recent years included such players as Dottie Mochrie, Tracy Hanson, Vicki Goetze, Cindy Schreyer, Tracy Kerdyk, and Amy Fruhwirth, who have since been doing rather well for themselves on the LPGA Tour.
Meanwhile, Killarney is set to reap a handsome dividend from the staging of the event. Indeed it is likely to be worth more to the club than the Irish Open Championships of 1991 and 1992 on the Killeen Course. Tom Prendergast, the club's secretary/manager explained: "With the Irish Open, our patrons were mainly Irish, but on this occasion we have,, gained huge overseas exposure.
He went on: "Apart from the Americans, large numbers travelled here from all over Britain, and the kind weather meant that they saw us at our best. It is certainly going to be a tremendous boost at a time when we are in the process of starting work on a third 18."
Outline planning permission was granted last month for the third 18, to be built on a site of 155 acres across the road from the present entrance to the club. In fact the club have reduced an original list of 13 golf course architects down to five - one American, one Briton and three Irish - who will be interviewed this week for the contract of laying out the course.
The project, which will include a second clubhouse, albeit more modest than the splendid, main structure, is expected to cost in the region of £4 million.
From a playing standpoint, Britain and Ireland are now looking towards the next staging of the matches at the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis on August 1st and 2nd, 1998. It is being stage on the Donald Ross course as part of the club's centenary celebrations. And given the strong Irish influence in the Minneapolis area, one hopes that the side will include at least one representative from the "old country".
