Thompson Re-Appointed Curtis Cup Captain

Far Hills, N.J. — Seven-time USGA champion Carol Semple Thompson of Sewickley, Pa., has been re-appointed as the captain for the 2008 United States of America Curtis Cup team, the United States Golf Association has announced.

The 2008 Curtis Cup Match will be played over the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, from May 30 - June 1.

The Curtis Cup is a biennial competition between female amateur teams from the USA and Great Britain and Ireland. The first Match was held in 1932 at Wentworth (England) Golf Club and the USA owns a 25-6-3 record, including victories in the last five Matches.

Carol Semple Thompson (left) enjoyed her first go-around as USA Curtis Cup captain at Bandon Dunes Resort, leading Taylor Leon (center), Amanda Blumenherst (right) and the rest of the eight-woman American squad to a five-point victory. (USGA Photo Archives)

Thompson, 57, served as captain of the USA squad that won the 2006 Match at Bandon (Ore.) Dunes Golf Resort by an 11½ -6½ margin. She competed on a record 12 USA Curtis Cup teams, including the 2002 squad in her home area of Pittsburgh, Pa., when she holed a 27-foot putt from just off the 18th green at Fox Chapel Golf Club to retain the Curtis Cup for the American side. Thompson owns an overall Curtis Cup match-play record of 18-15-4, including 9-8-1 in singles competition.

"I'm so honored to be selected to captain the team again," said Thompson. "Serving as captain of the team that won the Curtis Cup at Bandon Dunes was such a wonderful experience, and I'm really looking forward to bringing the next team to St. Andrews."

Thompson's first USGA title came at the 1973 U.S. Women's Amateur when she defeated Anne Quast Sander in the final, 1 up, at Montclair (N.J.) Golf Club. She went on to win the 1990 and 1997 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur titles and four consecutive USGA Senior Women's Amateur crowns (1999-2002). In August of 2005, Thompson competed in her 100th individual USGA competition when she played in the U.S. Women's Amateur at Ansley Golf Club's Settindown Creek Course in Roswell, Ga. She has since increased her total of USGA championships to 103, including 32 U.S. Women's Opens.

In addition to her Curtis Cup experience, Thompson also played in five Women's World Amateur Team Championships for the USA. Thompson's father, Harton S. Semple, was president of the USGA from 1974-75, and her mother, Phyllis, has been active on various USGA committees.

The 2008 Curtis Cup will be a meeting of two captains who have represented their respective sides played in more Matches than anyone. The Great Britain and Ireland squad will be captained by Mary McKenna, who played on a record nine Curtis Cup teams. McKenna represented the GB&I at every Match from 1970 to 1986, and holds a 5-9-4 record in foursomes and a 5-5-2 record in singles.

The 2008 Match at St. Andrews will also mark a change in format for the Curtis Cup. The Match will change to a three-day format, featuring three foursomes and three four-ball (better-ball) matches on the first two days. On the final day, there will be eight singles matches, meaning all eight players from each side will compete in singles.