The 2011 Walker Cup match has been awarded to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, the sixth oldest in the world.
In announcing the date and venue for the biennial match between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States, The R&A will be staging the contest at one of Scotland’s true and most historic links courses located on the outskirts of Aberdeen and overlooked by the North Sea.
David Hill, Director of Championships for The R&A said: "We are delighted to be staging the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen which will provide a fitting showcase for amateur golf’s premier match between countries.
"Last year, the Senior British Open Championship was a huge success at Royal Aberdeen with the world’s top over-50’s players full of praise for the layout at Balgownie and with the condition of the course.
"I have no doubt that with the support of the knowledgeable golfing public in the North East, that the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen will match that success."
Royal Aberdeen has been a venue over the years for championships at every level. It has hosted the Scottish Amateur Championship at regular intervals from 1924, the Scottish Stoke Play, the Scottish Boys, the Boys Amateur, the Scottish Ladies’ Amateur and most recently, in 2005, the Senior British Open Championship, one of the five senior majors.
In 2007 the Walker Cup will be played at Royal County Down, Newcastle, Northern Ireland and in 2009 at Merion Golf Club, Pennsylvania.
Notes to Editors:
1. Royal Aberdeen, founded in 1780 is the sixth oldest golf club in the world. For the first 35 years of existence it was known as The Society of Golfers at Aberdeen and in 1815 was reformed as The Aberdeen Golf Club. It moved to its present home at Balgownie in 1888.
2. The accolade of ‘Royal’ was conferred on the club by His Majesty King Edward VII in 1903.
3. The ‘Five Minute Rule’, now adopted as a Rule of Golf for a ball that may be lost, was first adopted by Aberdeen members in 1783.
Contact:
David Hill
Director of Championships
The R&A
Tel: (44) 1334 460000
