Spain upheld its tradition and triumphed at home, at the National Golf Centre in Madrid, in its Under-16 match against England (13-11). The match was decided in the final rounds amidst tremendous parity, the same level of competition seen throughout the weekend.

Sunday began with a six-point tie, foreshadowing an exciting day of golf, and this basic prediction proved accurate. Spain dominated the morning foursomes, with Icíar Rodríguez and Paula Jiménez (5/4) and Martín Cervera and Oliver de Wint (5/3) winning their matches convincingly, and Chanya Huaysan and Rut Díaz snatching a valuable half point.

The victory still needed to be sealed in the afternoon's singles matches, a difficult task given the visitors' excellent performance on the first day. Both teams traded partial victories; in Spain's case, thanks to Chanya Huaysan (4/3), Icíar Rodríguez (4/3), and Oliver de Wint (3/1). The final two matches remained, in which Spain needed points, and they secured them with a golden point from Ignacio Iglesias on the 18th hole. Martín Cervera's subsequent tie added to the final score.

In this way, Spain has secured its sixth home victory in as many editions, maintaining a perfect record on home soil. Furthermore, it has avenged the heavy defeat suffered last year on English soil.

First day with a complete tie

Complete equality. That sums up the first day of the match in Madrid. Spain was the clear dominator of the morning session (3-1). Icíar Rodríguez and Paula Jiménez (2/1), Nicolás González and Ignacio Iglesias (2/1), and Martín Cervera and Oliver de Wint (2 up) won their foursomes matches before the afternoon took a slight turn in the singles. In these, Rut Díaz (2/1), Martín Cervera (2/1), and Ignacio Iglesias (4/2) added points for Spain, which lost this segment 5-3.

The Spanish team consisted of eight talented athletes born between 2010 and 2011, four boys and four girls. The boys included Martín Cervera and Oliver de Wint from Andalusia, Nicolás González from Aragon, and Ignacio Iglesias from Valencia; the girls included Chanya Huaysan from Andalusia, Rut Díaz and Icíar Rodríguez from Madrid, and Paula Jiménez from Barcelona.

These eight golfers have had the support of Xisca Negre, President of the RFEG Junior Technical Committee, Juan José Grañeda, Sports Director of said committee, Jordi Folch in the role of captain, Antonio Gonzálbez in the role of vice-captain, and Felipe Rodríguez and Paola Etchart in the role of coach.

BOTTOM LINE

Spain, 13 – England, 11