The 2025 edition of The Malta versus The Rest at the Royal Malta Golf Club was a true celebration of matchplay golf and camaraderie. In Ryder Cup style, the season’s top players clashed in a three-day spectacle filled with strategy, drama and passion.
The structure of the event—foursomes, fourballs, and singles—challenged every player’s range. From clutch putts to laser-guided approaches, it showcased peak golfing prowess. Yet, it was also a mental game. Nerves played their part, not just for the rookies, but across all players stepping into high-pressure situations against seasoned opponents. The event was all about the abundance of skill but also about heart, resilience adaptability and zoned mental balance. The qualifying players on each side possessed all these qualities.
Strategising was at its peak led by Club Captain Stewart Davies for the Rest of the World team against William Beck, captain for the Malta team. Both meticulously crafted pairings and matchups, drawing on each players’ form, temperament and history with the help of their vice captains. Team building was equally essential—rallying rookies and veterans alike into a unified force.
The familiar names of Borg, Critien, Micallef, Schembri, Naudi, Urpani, Laferl, Mangion and Baldacchino led the Malta team were challenged by Cranley, Featherstone, young Gratils and Vagimov. These names have been fixtures in the winning circle of golfers at the club.
We cannot forget the young Azzopardi, Pisani and Bogdanovic along with Patterson, Bergman, Askew, Zhang, Johansson and Peterkin bringing a different spectrum of competitiveness in a game where the only barrier from winning is completing each hole with precision and determination.
The course itself was in its finest condition of the year. Under radiant Maltese skies, it became the stage for some of the most tenacious and gritty performances seen at RMGC in recent memory. Struggles emerged on every front with jittery drives, shanked approaches, missed birdies, unlucky bounces and hard-fought halves. Yet, tenacity prevailed, with players digging deep to grind out points.
Malta demonstrated their desire to regain the sword with a commanding performance of 5 points against 1 point in the battle of foursomes on the first day.
Day 2 began with an optimistic prospect for the Rest of the World team with the first four groups leading the charge. But it was the Malta team who again showed their determination to win 4.5 to 1.5 in the fourball better ball.
On the third day of the singles competition, the Rest of the World again showed their tenacity, charging through all challenges against the formidable lead that Malta has built. RoW needed 9.5 points to keep the sword whilst Malta can feel it is within sight of clutching it with only 1.5 points away.
The rivalry was fierce but respectful. Live scoring kept players and fans on the edge, displaying every electric momentum swings. Supporters lined fairways, their cheers and silent prayers feeding the energy. Missed chances were met with groans whilst clutch shots drew roars.
Some players fell to misfortune, but perseverance was definitely universal. A lot of the matches were projected to find its result on the 17th and 18th holes.
One can clearly see that underlying every swing was the burning desire to either to regain or retain the Coveted Sword —the ultimate iconic symbol of victory and pride at RMGC. This wasn’t just another competition; it was about legacy, honour and a chance to scribe one’s name into club folklore.
Captains and vice-captains provided unwavering support, keeping spirits high and focus sharp. Every match had its heroes—some emerging stars, others, elder statesmen demonstrating the magic of experience.
In the end, it was the Malta team who was victorious with a 13 ½ to 10 ½ win.
Celebrations immediately erupted all over the golf club as the Malta team, victorious, for they have finally regained the Sword since 2021. The Rest of the World accepted defeat with the grace and dignity that defines our game.
More than a competition, MvR 2025 is a reminder of what unites us at the Royal Malta Golf Club. Brotherhood, mutual respect and the shared pursuit of excellence is what gathers us as a community. When the final putt dropped and the scores were settled, we dined as one—celebrating golf, each other and the enduring spirit of the game.
The legendary pursuit of grasping the Sword lives on, forward to the 2026 Malta v Rest.
Irwin Gratil
RMGC Vice Captain
