Royal Lytham & St. Annes to Host 2015 Walker Cup


The R&A has announced that Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club will host the 45th Walker Cup Match, in 2015. The biennial contest between Great Britain and Ireland and the USA will take place on the Lancashire links September 12-13.

"We are delighted that Royal Lytham & St. Annes has agreed to host the Walker Cup in 2015," said David Hill, the R&A's Director of Championships. "As one of Great Britain and Ireland's premier links courses, it will undoubtedly provide a stern test befitting a contest that has come to represent the pinnacle of amateur achievement.

"The golfing public in the northwest of England are extremely knowledgeable and have always shown a keen interest in the amateur game," Hill added. "We look forward to welcoming them to Lytham in 2015 for what will be a fantastic celebration of golf."

Lytham has a proud association with the amateur game. Bobby Jones became only the third amateur to lift the Claret Jug when he won the first of his three Open Championships there in 1926. The venue has also staged four Amateur Championships in 1935, 1955, 1986 and 2007, when Drew Weaver, a member of the USA's winning Walker Cup team last year, defeated Australian Tim Stewart 2 & 1 in the final.

"Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club is both delighted and honored to be asked to host the Walker Cup in 2015," said Paul Gardner, captain of the club. "Royal Lytham prides itself on strong connections with the amateur game, which it supports every year by holding the Lytham Trophy, a major event for those seeking Walker Cup selection.

"The last two years have seen significant course improvements, following consultation with the R&A, which will lead to an enhanced challenge for all competitors in major events throughout this decade and beyond."

Though the club will be hosting the Walker Cup for the first time in 2015, it is no stranger to international team matches, having hosted the Ryder Cup in 1961 and 1977; the U.S. beat Great Britain and Ireland both times. Royal Lytham & St. Annes has hosted the Open Championship 10 times and will do so again in 2012.

In 2011 the Walker Cup will be played at Royal Aberdeen in Scotland. Following that, the 2013 match will be contested at the National Golf Links of America on Long Island, N.Y.