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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This week's course diaries episode takes us back to East Lothian to visit the East Links at North berwick, otherwise known as The Glen. Widely believed to be the first course ever designed by 5-time Open Champion James Braid, whose work would see him revise, refine or design over 500 courses, as well as reputedly being the first ever Municipal Golf Course.

We cover the course’s history, as well as the dillema facing The Glen, with the reported buyout talks involving Ancient Links Golf Company, whose mission is to protect the ancient Scottish links for the future, and who have recently taken control of Scotscraig as well as Forfar Golf Club.

Ownership strcuture aside, we also talk about the course. An exceptional site for golf, above the shore with views of Bass Rock, Tantalon Castle, and the coastline. We had an absolute blast here, and strongly encourage anyone travelling through to stop off and visit this historic part of the golfing landscape in East Lothian!

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With Jack Whaley becoming on the third Englishman to win the coveted Havemeyer Trophy on Sunday evening at Merion (behind Matt Fitzpatrick & Harold Hilton), Sam, Tom & Peter wax lyrical about his performance, the venue, the event and what feels like an increased level of attention the golf world is paying to elite amateur golf.

As well as his exemption into both the US Open, Open Championship, and an invitation to the Masters (provided he behaves himself between now and April), Jack Whaley also picks up a Walker Cup selection. The news comes with the announcement of the team that will head to Co. Clare in the first week of September where Dean Robertson's GB&I side are looking to prevent USA from their sixth consecutive title. The full team can be found below, and an article from the half par kid ca be found here profiling the two teams.

• Eliot Baker, England, Tiverton, 23

• Ben Bolton, England, Enville, 19

• Sam Easterbrook, England, Olton, 21

• Connor Graham, Scotland, Blairgowrie, 19

• Stuart Grehan, Ireland, County Louth, 33

• Josh Hill, England, Fox Den, 22

• Luke Poulter, England, Woburn, 22

• Niall Sheils Donegan, Scotland, Meadow Club, 21

• Tyler Weaver, England, Bury St Edmunds, 21

• Jack Whaley, England, Rotherham, 22

Reserves:

1. Thomas Higgins, Ireland, Roscommon, 23

2. David Howard, Ireland, Fota Island, 27

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