Hoylake to host Walker Cup in 2019
Royal Liverpool will stage the Walker Cup in three years’ time.
The R&A have announced their full schedule of amateur and international matches for 2019 and, with The Open being held at Royal Portrush, a high profile rota venue have been handed yet another top event.
Hoylake will celebrate the 150th year of their foundation with the biennial contest between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States.
It’s the second time the Wirral links will host a Walker Cup. They were the setting for the USA’s 13.5-10.5 victory in 1983.
Nigel Edwards led GB&I to an emphatic 16.5-9.5 win at Royal Lytham & St Annes last year.
Royal Liverpool also retains an enduring link with the amateur game, the club having been instrumental in founding The Amateur Championship and hosting the inaugural event in 1885.
Hoylake also served as the venue for the first international match between GB&I and the USA in 1921, which led to the creation of the Walker Cup.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, the R&A’s executive director of championships, said: “We can look forward to a wonderful season of championships and international matches in 2019.
“Our priority is to ensure that we provide excellent tests of golf for our competitors at each level of the game and we are delighted to be working with some top class venues. These events provide a tremendous platform for the players to compete with their peers and perform at the highest level.”
Dublin’s Portmarnock will hold the 124th Amateur Championship, along with The Island, while the Boys’ Amateur returns to Saunton for the first time since 1997 – when Sergio Garcia won.
Championship and International matches in 2019
The Amateur Championship, Portmarnock and The Island: June 17 – 22
The 148th Open, Royal Portrush: July 18 – 21
The Seniors Amateur Championship, North Berwick: July 31 – August 2
The Boys Home Internationals, Ashburnham: August 6 – 8
The Boys Amateur Championship, Saunton, East and West courses: August 13 – 18
The Jacques Leglise Trophy, Aldeburgh: August 30 – 31
The Walker Cup, Royal Liverpool: September 7 – 8
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
