England’s amateur golf squad just tore up the course at the Spirit International, with Dominic Clemons, Matthew Dodd-Berry, Nellie Ong, and Patience Rhodes firing a tournament-record -44 to claim the Overall Gold — marking England’s third-ever win.
As if that wasn’t enough, Clemons and Dodd-Berry also tied with Mexico for the Men’s Gold at -28, while Ong and Rhodes put on a masterclass in calm, bogey-free play across the 54-hole better-ball event.
Their combined score included four eagles and 45 birdies, outstripping the -38 set by Team USA in 2015 and besting England’s previous records of -43 in 2005 and -32 in 2007.
Oh, and did I mention they went 12-under in the final round? This team wasn’t just good; they were phenomenal.
“44-under? That sounds pretty good doesn’t it?” said Team Manager Stephen Burnett.
“I knew we had a good team, but to shoot the numbers we did, it exceeded expectations. It’s been a great week and they were awesome.”
Reflecting on the men’s play, Burnett added, “All week they kept giving themselves chances.
They started their rounds steady, but around the turn, they lit up. The scoring between holes eight to 13 was incredible.”
“I’ve known Dom and Matt since their early teens so to see them come out here and do what they’ve done is fantastic.
They’ve grown, they’ve matured and they’ve got their whole future ahead of them,” Burnett shared.
The Spirit Invitational, hosted every other year at Texas’s Whispering Pines Golf Club, draws teams from 20 countries, vying for the top prize at one of amateur golf’s premier events.
Former winners include Paula Creamer, Brooke Henderson, Martin Kaymer, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Lexi Thompson — not bad company to keep.
“It was good fun out there,” Clemons said. “We got it going on the back nine and although we couldn’t take all our chances in the men’s team event, we’ve won the overall prize. It’s been a great week with the girls and with some great people too.”
Ong added: “I love this format and playing with Patience and the guys. It means a lot to play here so to take home a gold medal feels incredible.”
With a performance for the history books, England’s team didn’t just win; they left a lasting mark on The Spirit International, reminding the world that England’s up-and-coming golf talent is truly something special.
