The Walker Cup will be held at the prestigious National Golf Links of America September 6,7,8th. The Walker Cup is a team completion between the best amateur golfers from the United States v Great Britain and Ireland.
The National was founded in 1908 under the leadership of Charles B. McDonald. The golf course was constructed with the assistance of Southampton engineer, Seth Raynor. McDonald set out to build a first class course in the United States which would incorporate many of the better qualities of courses found in the British Isles. Among the famous holes represented at the National are the Road Hole and Eden of St. Andrews, Alps from Preswick, Redan from North Berwick and the Sahara from Sandwich. The course is located on 285 acres on the Peconic Bay in Southhampton New York.
The National was the site of the very fist Walker Cup in 1922 with Francis Ouimet and Bobby Jones on the team. The 44th Walker Cup will be back at the National for the first time since the inaugural tournament 91 years ago.
5 Amateurs have already been selected, and 5 more will be selected after the US Amateur 2013 in September. The 5 players selected so far are Max Homa- Pac 12 Champ/ US Open qualifier at Merion. Michael Kim- low amateur at Marion. Patrick Rodgers- played on the 2011 Walker Cup team, tied for 15th at the John Deere Classic 2013 PGA Event. Justin Thomas- sophomore at Alabama, second team all-American, semifinalist at US Amateur, and T30 at Travelers Championship. Cory Whisett- All American at Alabama 3 wins and 8 top 10s in NCAA Tournament, 2007 Junior Amateur Champion.
The Tournament will be televised in over 50 counties on the Golf Channel starting at 4pm-6pm Saturday and 4-6pm Sunday September 8th. This is a good chance for any golfer to see one of the finest courses in the world, #10 in the US by Golf Digest and #15 in the world.
By Claude Pope
