theglobalsun – Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) ended a 20-year wait by defeating the Continent of Europe in the Vagliano Trophy. The biennial event took place at the Royal Hague Golf & Country Club in the Netherlands. GB&I won by a narrow margin of 12½ to 11½. This victory followed their successful Curtis Cup performance against the United States in September of the previous year.
Non-playing captain Maria Dunne led the GB&I team. Heading into the final singles matches, the team trailed by one point after Europe claimed two early wins. Despite the initial setback, GB&I rallied with key performances from their players, showing resilience and determination throughout the day.
Key Players Drive GB&I Comeback to Victory
The English trio of Patience Rhodes, Nellie Ong, and Isla McDonald-O’Brien played critical roles in turning the match around. After their wins, Ireland’s Aine Donegan and England’s Sophia Fullbrook sealed the victory with clutch performances. Donegan’s eagle on the 18th hole and Fullbrook’s narrow one-hole win were decisive moments in the contest.
Dunne praised the team’s perseverance, saying, “They fought for every single point or half point.” Several players who were part of the Curtis Cup-winning team—Rhodes, Donegan, Beth Coulter, Lottie Woad, and Hannah Darling—contributed significantly. Even the rookies, who had not played in the Curtis Cup, matched the team’s competitive spirit and helped maintain momentum.
Match Dynamics and Tactical Shifts
Europe initially led by winning early singles matches, putting pressure on GB&I. However, Nellie Ong’s commanding 6&5 win and McDonald-O’Brien’s 2&1 triumph against Camille Min-Gaultier narrowed the gap. Rhodes then secured a vital point by defeating France’s Sara Brentcheneff over two holes.
The contest remained tense until the very end, with Donegan and Fullbrook providing the winning edge. Donegan’s eagle and Fullbrook’s one-hole win over Emma Kaisa Dalgaard Bunch clinched the trophy. This victory marked a major achievement for GB&I after coming close in the 2023 event.
Captain Dunne Reflects on the Win and Team Spirit
Captain Maria Dunne expressed immense pride in the team’s effort. She noted the importance of belief and momentum carried over from the Curtis Cup win. “The success last year helped the team this week,” Dunne said, highlighting how that confidence motivated players.
Dunne also credited her rookies for their outstanding performances. Their contributions were crucial in strengthening the team’s overall performance. Dunne called the double victory in both the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy “fantastic” and praised the team’s unity and fighting spirit.
Junior Vagliano Trophy Sees Europe Dominate
Alongside the senior competition, the Junior Vagliano Trophy took place. In this event, the Continent of Europe emerged victorious, beating GB&I 11½ to 6½. Despite this junior defeat, GB&I’s senior team’s success remains a historic and inspiring moment. The senior victory ends a long wait and sets a strong foundation for future competitions.
