Pennsylvania's Merion Golf Club To Host 2009 Walker Cup Match


May 20, 2004
E–mail address: mediarelations@usga.org

Far Hills, N.J. - The East Course at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., has been selected to host the 2009 Walker Cup Match, a biennial international amateur team competition, the United States Golf Association has announced.  The Match will be played from Aug. 15-16.

Opened in 1912 and designed by Hugh Wilson, Merion has been host to 16 previous USGA championships, the most of any club, including four U.S. Opens and five U.S. Amateur championships.  Merion also will host the 2005 U.S. Amateur prior to this Walker Cup Match.  The first USGA championship at Merion was the 1904 U.S. Women’s Amateur, while the most recent was the 1998 U.S. Girls’ Junior.

A signature shot of a Merion flagstick. (USGA Photo Archives)

Ben Hogan fought back from injuries he suffered in a car crash a year earlier to capture the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion.  And Bobby Jones ended his competitive career with a win at the 1930 U.S. Amateur, giving him victories at that year’s four major championships; the U.S. Open, British Open, U.S. Amateur and British Amateur.

“We are delighted to welcome one of the top amateur competitions in all of golf,” said William Albertini, president of Merion Golf Club.  “We are committed to the spirit of this international competition and we are dedicated to showcase our fine golf course and hospitality.  We look forward to adding another chapter to Merion’s rich golf history.”

The Match is contested between a 10-man United States of America team and a squad representing Great Britain and Ireland.  It consists of 16 singles and eight foursomes (alternate shot) matches.  The Great Britain and Ireland amateur team has won the last three matches, in 1999, 2001 and 2003. The U.S. leads the series history, 31-7-1.

Prior to 2009, the Walker Cup Match will be played from Aug. 13-14, 2005, at Chicago (Ill.) Golf Club and from Sept. 8-9, 2007, at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Ireland.