17 December 2009, St Andrews, Scotland: Nigel Edwards has been appointed as the Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team that will face the United States of America at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in the 2011 Walker Cup Match. Edwards will also captain the GB&I team as they take on the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy Match at Castelconturbia Golf Club, Italy, next year.
A long-time member of Whitchurch Golf Club, he has played in four successive Walker Cup Matches between 2001 and 2007, winning four matches, losing five and tying three.
“I am delighted to have been invited to be the next Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Captain. It is a great honour for me, my family and for Welsh Golf, and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” said Edwards.
“The goal is to win back the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen and I will lead the team with great pride and enthusiasm. I will put all of my Walker Cup experience to good use in ensuring that the team selected prepares well and performs to the very best of its ability.
“The Walker Cup is a great sporting spectacle that conjures up moments and experiences that will live with players for their entire careers and I am really excited about continuing my involvement with the match.”
Edwards was instrumental in GB&I’s 2003 victory at Ganton Golf Club, holing a 30-yard putt from off the green at the 17th to ensure overall victory and finishing as that match’s leading points-scorer. In 2005 and 2007, the 41-year-old was part of GB&I teams that suffered defeat to the USA by a single point.
“Nigel is absolutely the right person to regain the Walker Cup in 2011 and we are delighted that he has accepted the invitation,” said Chairman of Selectors, Tony Disley. “Not only will his extensive recent experience and outstanding record in team golf ensure the respect and admiration of his players, but his enthusiasm and determination to succeed will prove an invaluable asset at Royal Aberdeen.”
In addition to his Walker Cup successes, Edwards has been part of three victorious GB&I teams in the St Andrews Trophy and part of two winning European teams in the Bonallack Trophy against Asia/Pacific. He also won the Home Internationals and the European Nations Cup with Wales in 2002.
Edwards is the Director of Player Development and Coaching at the Golf Union of Wales, taking responsibility for directing player development and managing the provision of coaching for elite players and national teams. He is still ranked just outside the top 100 amateur players in the world (103rd) according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and he has been in possession of nine amateur course records including those of Royal Lytham & St Annes and the New and Jubilee courses at St Andrews.
Contact:
Rhodri Price
Assistant Director – Championships
Malcolm Booth
Assistant Director – Head of Communications
The R&A
Tel: +44 1334 460000
