Great Britain and Ireland’s Vagliano Trophy and Junior Vagliano Trophy teams at Royal Hague Golf & Country Club
Great Britain and Ireland have triumphed over the Continent of Europe to secure their first Vagliano Trophy victory since 2005.
Following their Curtis Cup win against the United States last September, the GB&I women showcased remarkable composure in the biennial match, ultimately winning 12½-11½ at the Royal Hague Golf & Country Club in the Netherlands.
Under the leadership of non-playing captain Maria Dunne, GB&I initially faced a deficit, trailing by one point heading into the singles matches after Europe secured two early victories.
However, the GB&I team mounted a strong comeback, with the English trio of Patience Rhodes, Nellie Ong, and Isla McDonald-O’Brien all securing wins. Crucially, Ireland’s Aine Donegan and England’s Sophia Fullbrook delivered the decisive points, propelling GB&I to a remarkable victory and ending a 20-year drought.
“It’s been an unbelievable day,” said Dunne.
“I said to the team early this morning that I had a really good feeling about today. They did the job in the foursomes, momentum went our way and they just fought. I told them last night ‘just keep fighting, keep fighting for every single point or half point’ and that’s exactly what they did.”
Rhodes, Donegan, Beth Coulter, Lottie Woad, and Hannah Darling, all integral members of the Curtis Cup-winning team, once again played pivotal roles.
Despite losses from Woad and Coulter to Paula Martin Sampedro and Carolina Lopez-Chacarra Coto respectively, the tide began to turn in GB&I’s favor. Ong’s dominant 6&5 victory and McDonald-O’Brien’s narrow 2&1 win over Camille Min-Gaultier narrowed the gap, before Rhodes secured another crucial point with a two-hole victory over France’s Sara Brentcheneff.
Aine Donegan finished in style to deliver a key singles win for Great Britain and Ireland
In a tense finish, Donegan’s eagle against Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio proved decisive, while Fullbrook held her nerve to secure a one-hole victory against Emma Kaisa Dalgaard Bunch, sealing the overall win.
Europe did achieve success in the Junior Vagliano Trophy, winning 11½-6½.
“We came so close at Royal Dornoch in 2023 [losing by three points] and we knew we hadn’t won this event since 2005 so it feels amazing to do it,” Dunne added.
“Patience had an incredible finish to win her singles match, before Aine rolled in that eagle on the 18th. I feel so privileged to be captain. For GB&I to now hold both the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy is fantastic.
“I think the success in winning the Curtis Cup last year helped the team this week. I reminded them in our team meetings that we had that momentum and belief.
“My three rookies have also been unbelievable and done the job for me every time I’ve asked them. For the three who weren’t involved in the Curtis Cup, they could see the belief and they built on that too.”
The Junior Vagliano Trophy was played alongside the senior tournament, with the Continent of Europe beating GB&I 11½-6½.