23/09/2026
Friendship Cup – A Memorable Visit to Utah
Five members of Royal Montrose Mercantile Golf Club travelled to Utah from 10th to 19th September to take part in the Friendship Cup against our American counterparts.
The group comprised Captain Peter Wood, Keith Norman, Jamie Pert, Graham Robb and Scott Henderson.
Friendship Cup participants were given the opportunity to join the choir for a memorable rehearsal—a unique start to what would prove to be an unforgettable trip.
The competition began with the four-balls on Monday, followed by the singles on Tuesday. What followed was an extremely closely fought contest, with neither side prepared to give an inch. When the final matches had been completed, the competition finished in a tie.
In true Ryder Cup tradition, the trophy was therefore retained by the visitors from Scotland, ensuring that the Friendship Cup would be returning to Scotland.
The final leg of the trip saw the group travel to Las Vegas for an overnight stay before making the journey home on Saturday, 19th September.
Looking back, we feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to participate in the Friendship Cup, and it was a tremendous honour for Royal Montrose Mercantile Golf Club.
The welcome we received, and the way in which we were looked after throughout our visit, went far beyond our expectations. The warmth, generosity and friendship shown to us by our American counterparts were truly exceptional, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved in making the trip such a memorable experience.
While the competition was important, the real success of the Friendship Cup lay in the friendships forged and strengthened between our two golfing communities.
Looking ahead, we are delighted to welcome our American friends to Montrose on 1st June 2027. We very much hope that we can return the wonderful hospitality shown to us in Utah and give our American friends an equally memorable Scottish experience.