Monday, 30th July 2007 at 10:07 pm

Shock as Barr makes Ride Her Cup team

The golf world’s been talking of little else for the last month: just who would make the two eight-man sides for this year’s inaugural Ride Her Cup, already being spoken of as Africa’s most prestigious team golf event. Andrew Shooter’s Highveld side, heavy underdogs in the event, take on Neil Campbell’s highly rated Lowveld team over three days at Simola, Plett Country Club and Pezula - and earlier today, Feverpitcher was given exclusive confirmation of the two teams.

No real surprises in the Highveld team, Nic Hughes the big name after a long season on the amateur circuit in India (Phil Redshaw’s getting on a bit, but does offer plenty of experience); Cape Town Great Dane breeder Nick Barr’s nomination in the Lowveld team (pictured above), however, has raised eyebrows across the golf community, Dale Hayes calling it “sheer madness” when contacted by Feverpitcher earlier today.

The rest of the Lowveld team looks strong, Hayes predicting a big Lowveld win: bearded Zimbabwean Mike Van Beuningen, construction magnate Karl Kusel, former scrumhalf Guy Picken and Mighty Dodos hockey star Grant ‘The Wall’ Holton are all included, as is Feverpitcher editor Dan Nicholl. Television coverage has yet to be confirmed; tickets are on sale already though, and going fast, with day one at Simola almost sold out. South Africa’s biggest golf event since the 2003 Presidents Cup? Without a shred of doubt.

Highveld: Andrew Shooter, Nic Hughes, Matt Simpson, Brett Mattison, Phil Redshaw, Ryan Hill, Andrew McGarvie, Andrew Richmond

Lowveld: Nick Barr, Guy Picken, Mike van Beuningen, Grant Holton, Karl Kusel, Dan Nicholl, John Dowds, Neil Campbell