PERTHSHIRE, Scotland — The U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, captained by Bend’s Brian Whitcomb, claimed a 16-8 victory Tuesday over the European team.

After taking a 7½-4½ lead on the opening day of the Junior Ryder Cup on Monday at Blairgowrie Golf Club, the U.S. team on Tuesday earned 8½ points in 12 singles matches (six boys and six girls) to secure the win.

The U.S. won its fourth consecutive Junior Ryder Cup and now has a 5-3-1 all-time record in the event. But for Whitcomb, the two-day tournament meant more than just who won or lost.

“It’s heartwarming to see these two unbelievably gifted teams conduct themselves so well and play at such a high level in front of 1,500 or 2,000 children,” said Whitcomb, the owner of Lost Tracks Golf Club in Bend who earned captain honors as a former PGA of America president.

“That only sets the stage for these kids to grow up to be playing the game of golf and adding to our society,” Whitcomb added. “The fact that we won is great, and that’s what we came to do. But to leave Scotland, the home of golf, with the game in better hands — that’s what this week was all about.”

— Bulletin staff report