In this episode we speak about Walker Cup week and why we think it is one of the best weeks in golf. We discuss the event’s match play format, the atmosphere at Lahinch, and the appeal of watching elite amateur golf up close.

We spend a lot of time on Lahinch and its suitability for match play, especially the par fours and the closing stretch. We also talk about the South of Ireland amateur championship, the history of match play at Lahinch, and several stories about past local players and finals.

We cover Walker Cup history and ask a series of quiz-style questions about the event. Topics include the change from 36-hole to 18-hole matches in 1963, the number of draws and wins for Great Britain and Ireland, the first Republic of Ireland player in the Walker Cup, and the only time the trophy was physically dented in play.

We also discuss notable figures linked to the Walker Cup, including John Burke, Leonard Crawley, Bernard Darwin, JB Carr, Frank Stranahan, Stiggy Hodgson, and Don Cherry. Along the way we talk about captains, selection issues, early programs, and a few unusual anecdotes from the event’s history.

Finally, we talk about possible format changes, including ideas around team selection and foursomes, and we finish with a look ahead to the Walker Cup at Lahinch and the kind of match play golf we expect to see there.

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