Ryder Cup Returns to Malta

The best of Sunnyside met up with the best of Marion Hills on Aug. 21 for the annual Ryder Cup showdown. Twenty-four men made the cut to defend Sunnyside's title, earned in Glasgow two summers ago while last year's competition fell to the wayside in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

Unfortunately for representatives of Glasgow, the Ryder cup did not make the return journey to Sunnyside Golf and Country Club. After a round each of best ball, alternate shots and singles match play, more scorecards were on the Malta side of the scoreboard by a margin of 30 to 10 with eight halves.

Despite two inches of much-needed rain, the fast greens notorious to Malta's course proved to be the demise of the Glasgow crew. "The Malta course is in phenomenal shape considering Mother Nature this summer," said Sunnyside manager Andy Newton. "Kory Shellhammer is a pro greenskeeper and has the greens smooth sailing even in a drought."

Glasgow made the trip pumped and brought their A game, but were outdone by the Malta crew's A+ game. Mike Johnson, Steve Hansen and Pete Helland earned accolades from the Sunnyside manager but their performances were not enough to propel Glasgow over the host team. Even though they suffered the loss, Sunnyside's golfers enjoyed a pleasant day on the links with sunshine and temperate weather.

Sunnyside was represented by Jake Engstrom, Jake Hughes, Jay Brooks, Mike Johnson, Marc Swanson, Boyd Sinclair, Todd Truscott, Andy Newton, Mike Slaats, Pat Gunderson, Steven Hansen, Ed Hopfauf, Zak Peterson, Pete Helland, Luke Gunderson, Nate Hopstad, Joel Smith, Carson Buffington, Spencer Marsh, Rob Martin, Calvin Kemmis, Tyler Fox, Rod Archambeault and Mike Archambeault.