Rider Cup Captains Face The Media Ahead Of Scunthorpe Showdown

It has been another year of big sporting events. 2024 heralded The Euros during the summer, followed by The Olympics in Paris. But the showpiece occasion is now just around the corner. For the small market town of Brigg, just outside Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, is about to have the eyes of the world on it as the 18th edition of the Breadalbane rolls in.

BB News has previewed the field for The Quaich in our handy pull out guide, available in all good newsagents. Running alongside the battle for the big one, will be the 3rd instalment of The Rider Cup. No one needs reminding that Kenmore have reigned supreme in the event up until now with a 12.5 - 7.5 victory in 2022, backed up with a tight 10.5 - 9.5 win in 2023.

Taymouth, desperate to avoid an unwanted hat-trick of defeats, have turned to one of their talismen. John McLuckie will captain the side at the challenging Forest Pines resort, having been a regular source of points for the team over the first couple of years. Their squad is stronger on paper, with the lower aggregate handicaps, and McLuckie will have to deal with the pressure of knowing that the side with the better players has always come out on top so far.

For Kenmore, Steven Rodgers will be captaining the side. Despite the handicap situation, Rodgers knows that he leads a two-time winning team into battle. That, added to the fact that Kenmore boast 4 Breadalbane winners in their squad, will give the Founding Foreskin confidence that they can bring home 3 in a row.

BB News caught up with McLuckie, just before he flew to Oslo for a pre Rider Cup media event and started by asking how he was feeling with just a few days to go until the showdown in Scunthorpe; "The Mighty Tays are gearing up for another thrilling battle and this time it's personal", he started.

"We've had a few changes this year, losing two key players: Blackie, who'll be sorely missed, especially for his bus driving skills; and Steady Eddie, who is a massive loss to the Taymouth camp." Indeed he is. Roberts amassed 3 points from 3 last year and was one of Taymouth's key points scorers in the two years of The Rider Cup. "Eddie's years of experience and his trusty Bose noise-cancelling headphones will leave a void that's hard to fill."

BB News was keen to find out how the players who are representing Taymouth are performing this year, notably individuals like Darren Petersen; the enigmatic talent who struggled at Heron's Reach in 2023. "Dazzy P is coming into form at just the right time, playing some nice golf leading up to the tournament, and playing with a new-found confidence." Petersen is yet to win a point in either the foursomes or fourballs, being tried with several different partners so far. Many golf commentators believe this could become an issue but McLuckie remained guarded about his approach at Forest Pines; "He'll be hoping to pair up with Edge, looking to turn around their previous run of poor results but we will see."

It is a perfect segway into the much maligned Craig Roberts, another yet to score a point in the Friday and Saturday formats. "Edge is perhaps the surprise package this year", McLuckie responded. "Nope, not his golf game. Rumour has it, he's invested in some new shoes for the weekend. Let's hope they spring him into a three point return for Taymouth's sake."

Pressed for a more serious answer on Roberts' form and mindset coming into the event, McLuckie added he was "building off a consistent season's playing in 2024."

One player who has been talked about a lot in the build up is Baz Ramsay. Taymouth's main cheerleader has been as active on the course this year as he usually is with his mouth off it; with calls from many in the golfing world to re-evaluate his handicap. "Last year's Captain, Baz, is more determined than ever" McLuckie started, "evident from his weekly phone calls rallying the troops. He's put in the hard work early in the season at the range, and with more time on the course this year throughout the season, he's dying for three points."

McLuckie was asked if everyone in the Taymouth team had put in the same level of preparation as the likes of Ramsay. He paused slightly before responding; "Spof, in typical fashion, has only just hit the course in September, but a strong outing has given him a much-needed confidence boost going into the weekend."

He then switched focus to another player who has been out on the course a lot; "On the other hand, Alex has arguably put in the most preparation, armed with new clubs and a reduced handicap since 2023." The subject of Keir initiates further questioning, with many believing his handicap should be lower by now, given his rookie performance in Blackpool 12 months ago; "He's carrying the favourite tag and will be looking to live up to it after an incredibly impressive season at Ardeer."

The mention of Keir's home course, led BB News to recall seeing an image of a practice round there earlier in the year, featuring Steven MacKinnon. McLuckie was quick to be positive about MacKinnon's preparation; "Bernie's had a few rounds practice and a decent mid-season score at Ardeer, which is comparable in tightness to Forest Pines. This should give him confidence heading into the weekend." MacKinnon too, is another yet to score a point on the Friday or Saturday so will be hoping for a change of fortune.

A lot of Taymouth's hopes will rest on the performance of their Captain and their three-time Breadalbane winning star, Steven Roberts. BB News asked how vital he would be in the quest to wrestle The Rider Cup from Kenmore; "Our inaugural Captain, Steven, has once again had a steady season. Known for his reliable tee shots, we'll be counting on those pinpoint drives to navigate the tricky Forest Pines layout."

With that, McLuckie's PR team give the nod that time is almost up, so the Taymouth skipper is asked for his overall thoughts heading into event; "As the Captain, I'm proud to lead this team of dedicated players. We're heading to Forest Pines with our sights set on victory, knowing that it'll take every bit of skill and determination to come out on top."

After the hostility created by Taymouth last year towards Kenmore, BB News asked what McLuckie's final message will be to his charges ahead of the opening tee shots on Friday. The big man showed no hesitation, this is obviously something he has already prepared in his mind; "Let's bring it home, lads! #uptheTays".

Next is the turn of opposing Captain, Steven Rodgers. When asked how he was feeling in the build up, he was keen to talk up the previous year; "It's truly an honour to be the Captain of Team Kenmore this year and to follow on from the extremely high standards set by Adam in 2023". BB News asked if following on from a winning Captain added extra pressure; "I have some very large shows to fill and I'd like to formally thank Adam for passing both the baton and his faith over to me".

Rodgers was asked what he had taken from Adam Duncan's captaincy at Heron's Reach and what he felt were the key factors in Kenmore's success; "Adam set high standards last year in leading the team to a second consecutive victory. Everyone aligned to his vision and smashed it."

The questioning switches to team selection, with Kenmore losing Marc Barret, Blair Reid and Lex McTaggart from their 2023 win; "This year the team has lost a few gladiators, who contributed massively to maintaining the Kenmore dominance." However, despite losing key contributors, Rodgers was keen to talk up the man who will be teeing it up at Forest Pines. "We welcome back Dave to the team. He assures me he's been slamming balls at the range and practice rounds in anticipation of a team call up."

Rodgers is asked how Dave Cook's mood has been in the build up, having been part of the winning team at Wokefield before missing out in Blackpool; "He is like a caged lion ready to go and give his all for the navy blue", responds the Kenmore skipper.

The man who resides in Cumbernauld has been rumoured to have taken a more relaxed approach with the team this year, allowing every individual to do their own thing in terms of preparation; when asked about this, Rodgers injected some humour; "I've been keeping a close eye on team training and everyone assures me they have been on a strict diet of fry ups, steak and Guinness in preparation for the weekend; as well as the odd trip to the range and golf course just for s*its and giggles."

His response points to man at ease with the team ahead of such a big event, but underneath their is a steely determination to get the job done at Forest Pines. "We are going for the hat-trick this year and I'm confident everyone will be giving their all to bring home the third consecutive win for Kenmore."

Thoughts turn to the opposition and Rodgers needs no reminding that the Taymouth side are stronger on paper this year; "It is clear that Taymouth have strengthened in the summer transfer window, so naturally they go in to the weekend in confident mood", he begins. "But, will they be able to hold their drink and their nerve to challenge the Kenmore dominance?"

The mind games have started and BB News draws Rodgers on Taymouth's tactics in 2023, where they tried to create a hostile environment against his Kenmore side, is this something that he would consider doing himself? Rodgers smiles and reflects on the question before responding; "Let's just say, with an average height of 5 foot 2 across their team, there are huge question marks over their ability to pull off a win."

To wrap up, BB News asks if Rodgers himself believes Taymouth are favourites this year, he isn't keen to answer directly; "What is for sure is that, as always, we will go to war against the backdrop of s*ite shots, s*ite clothes and plenty of laughs." The response ties in with the description of the Kenmore Captain's approach, relaxed and confident that his team will give their all. Asked if he had any nerves in the build up, his response was short; "This Captain, for one, can't feckin wait to get started."

As the Kenmore press officer starts to wrap up, BB News just has time to ask what sort of motivational inspiration Rodgers will be using, if any, ahead of the weekend. Standing up and addressing the entire gathered press, Rodgers gave us a quote before exiting in a mic-drop style; "On any given Sunday you're gonna win and you're gonna lose. The point is; can you win or lose like a man?"

The quote is obviously from Al Pacino as Tony D in the 1999 film Any Given Sunday. The same year, the US Ryder Cup team staged a battling performance at Brookline to see off the Europeans in a match that nearly boiled over when the US team ran onto the green to celebrate Justin Leonard's putt against Jose Maria Olazabal. BB News can't help but feel that this year's Rider Cup has the same underlying current of tension and emotion, ready to bring itself to the surface. Who will handle the pressure best and get the points on the board for their side?

On Friday morning, the talking will stop, pairings will be revealed and the action will finally begin when the first tee shots are fired down the tight tree-lined fairways of Forest Pines. The Showdown in Scunthorpe, the Battle in Brigg; it promises to be another fine spectacle.