Welsh duo Jack Davidson and David Boote are helping Great Britain & Ireland defend the Walker Cup in the 49th edition of the trans-Atlantic tournament at the Los Angeles Country Club, Beverly Hills, California this weekend.
Davidson, from Newport, is the Welsh Amateur, Spanish Amateur and European Nations champion this year, while Boote is 24 places higher than him in the World Amateur Rankings in 30th.
A 2016 graduate of Stanford University, he offers Californian experience and has an excellent track record in international team competitions.
They will be teaming up in the foursomes and Boote will have a familiar face opposing him in his former Stanford University team mate, Maverick McNealy. He will be joining the 2017 U.S. Amateur runner-up Doug Ghim in a formidable pairing.
The GB & Ireland team won the last Walker Cup, 16 ½ to 9 ½ at Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s. That said, the Americans haven’t been beaten on home soil since 2001 Walker Cup at Ocean Forest Golf Club, when Caerphilly’s Nigel Edwards was in the team.
Format
On both days of the contest there are four foursome matches in the morning followed by a series of singles in the afternoon; eight on Day 1 and ten on Day 2. There are therefore 26 points available to play for.
As the current holders Great Britain and Ireland will require 13 points to retain the Walker Cup. USA will require 13.5 points to win the trophy back.
Schedule of Play (all times local / GMT +8 hours)
Saturday, 9 September
7.30am – Morning Foursomes Matches (4)
1.00pm – 6.00pm – Afternoon Singles Matches (8)
Sunday, 10 September
7.30am – Morning Foursomes Matches (4)
1.00pm – 6.00pm Afternoon Singles Matches (10)
c.6.30pm – Closing Ceremony