Team USA held off a scrappy and determined Scottish team in the 2012 Quaich matches in Palm Beach, Florida. The final score, showing the USA with 11.5 points and Scotland with 8.5 points, belies the competitveness of this year's matches. After three rounds of team play, the USA held a slim 1 point lead entering Sunday's singles matches at Ballenisles Country Club. Seemingly inspired by the attention they received from American women the previous night at The Square Grouper in Jupiter, the members of the Scottish team woke Sunday morning optimistic of their chances to win back the Quaich on foreign soil. Likewise, the American team was thriving under the leadership of its driven and competitive captain, Eric "Swayze" Silagy. Swayze was observed in several one-on-one conversations with his teammates at The Square Grouper, grasping their shoulders in both hands, fixing them his well-known intense gaze, and saying, "I do not want to lose --- understand?"
The singles matches at Ballenisles did not disappoint Quaich fans from around the globe. Chris "Cudman" Van Horne delivered a critical early point for the USA by nearly holing out for birdie on the 17th hole to take down a feisty Ross "Rosco" MacCallum by a score of 2&1. Stephen "Web" Webster added to the American lead by once again proving to be Ian "Big Man" MacCallum's kryptonite by scraping together a 3&2 victory.
But Team Scotland roared back like the lion rampant on the Scottish royal coat of arms and owned the middle of the singles order, delivering points in 5 of 6 matches. Newcomer Douglas "Slicer" Brown easily took down a spent Chris "The Guvna" Hughes. The consistent game of top points producer Tony "Hef" Denson proved too much for John "Atco" Atkins. The Farley-Denholm and Milo-Riddle matches ended in dramatic fashion on the eighteenth hole where nerve-wracking 5 foot putts were the difference between a full or half point. In the end, Team USA prevailed with Captain Swayze winning the final singles match of the day against his opposite, Scottish captain Graeme "H" Wilson.
The Quaich 2012 matches will be remembered by golf fans for years to come.
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