Tag: Curtis Cup

Great Britain & Ireland holds off late United States charge to win 2024 Curtis Cup

It’s GB&I’s first Curtis Cup win since 2016.

Mimi Rhodes gave a subtle, but powerful fist pump, but her teammates reactions told the story.

The players from Great Britain & Ireland stood next to the 17th green, and they knew how good Rhodes’ par putt was to halve the hole. It was enough to secure, at worst, a half point. But that’s all Rhodes needed.

GB&I won its first Curtis Cup in eight years on Sunday, topping the Americans 10 ½ -9 ½ at Sunningdale in England. On a day when World No. 1 Lottie Woad and fellow stalwart Hannah Darling lost their singles matches for the hosts, it was the likes of Mimi Rhodes, her sister Patience, Sara Byrne and Lorna McClymont who carried GB&I to their ninth victory in the biennial competition.

Curtis Cup: Best photos from Sunningdale

Even with a young and inexperienced team, the Americans came into the Curtis Cup as favorites. Rachel Kuehn, playing in her third Curtis Cup, was in the anchor match Sunday and won 3 and 2 against Aine Donegan, but she was the lone player with experience in the international competition that mimics the Solheim Cup.

The young Americans, like 15-year-old Asterisk Talley and incoming USC freshman Jasmine Koo, played well. Talley knocked off Load 3 and 2 in singles while Koo topped Beth Coulter 4 and 3. However, a couple of the veterans, who waited to turn professional for a shot to play on the Curtis Cup team, were unable to win down the stretch.

The 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, Megan Schofill, lost 3 and 2 to Lorna McClymont. Earlier this summer, McClymont lost to Melanie Green in the final of the Women’s Amateur Championship. The win helped Green punch her ticket on the U.S. Curtis Cup team, but on Sunday, she halved her match against Mimi Rhodes in what turned out to be the clincher.

In the left trees with no second shot on the penultimate hole holding a 1-up lead, Rhodes had to punch out into the fairway for her third. She hit a brilliant shot beneath the hole to roughly 15 feet.

Green, about 40 yards further up the fairway, had a green light to try to tie the match. Her attempt sailed long and left but remained on the green.

Green’s birdie putt trickled close to the hole but didn’t fall. Rhodes responded, pouring hers in to clinch at least a half point and the ninth Curtis Cup win all-time for GB&I. Green won the closing 18th to in fact halve the match, but the U.S. fell half a point short of retaining the cup.

The Americans now own a 31-9-3 lead in the biennial competition.

Best photos from the 2024 Curtis Cup at Sunningdale

The Americans own a 31-8-3 lead in the biennial competition.

The 43rd Curtis Cup is in the books.

Great Britain & Ireland won for the first time in eight years, topping the Americans 10.5-9.5 on Sunday at Sunningdale in England. Mimi Rhodes was clutch down the stretch, earning the deciding half point to win the cup back for GB&I.

The Curtis Cup, an eight-woman competition between the best amateurs from the United States against their counterparts from Great Britain and Ireland, began Friday at Sunningdale’s Old Course in England. This is the first Curtis Cup contested at Sunningdale and the 10th in England.

Here’s a look at the best photos from the 2024 Curtis Cup.

Highly ranked Royal Dornoch in Scottish Highlands lands 2028 Curtis Cup Match

The 2028 Curtis Cup Match is headed to one of the best courses in the world.

Competitive women’s amateur golf has scored another victory, landing one of the top golf courses in the world as host of the 2028 Curtis Cup Match at Royal Dornoch in northern Scotland.

The Championship Course at Royal Dornoch is ranked by Golfweek’s Best as the No. 3 course outside the United States. Opened in 1877 as a nine-hole layout in the Scottish Highlands, the links course was extended to 18 holes in 1886 by Old Tom Morris. Other designers have contributed over the decades to the hilly seaside layout, including John Sutherland, George Duncan and most recently the team of Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert.

This year’s Curtis Cup Match, a biennial team event featuring top female amateurs representing the U.S. and Europe, is August 30-Sept. 1 at Sunningdale Golf Club’s Old Course in England, which Golfweek’s Best has tied for No. 9 among courses outside the United States. The 2026 match will be held from June 12-14 at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, which ties for No. 57 among all classic courses in the U.S.

The dates for the 2028 match are to be determined.

“We look forward to staging the Curtis Cup at such a historic venue in 2028,” Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, executive director of championships for the R&A, said in a media release announcing the selection of Royal Dornoch in the run-up to this year’s staging of the event. “We want to give elite amateur golfers world-class platforms to show us how well they can perform, and that will certainly be the case at Royal Dornoch. The Championship Course has earned worldwide acclaim and it promises to be a wonderful occasion in the rich history of the Curtis Cup.”

Royal Dornoch Championship Course
Royal Dornoch’s Championship Course in the Scottish Highlands (Courtesy of Royal Dornoch Golf Club)

Royal Dornoch has a track record of hosting top amateur events, including the 1985 British Amateur Championship and four Scottish Men’s Amateur Championships, most recently in 2023.

“The Curtis Cup is also going to be a tremendous occasion for the local area,” Neil Hampton, general manager at Royal Dornoch, said in the media release. “With the Championship Course consistently ranked highly in global standings and the investment in our infrastructure as we build a new clubhouse, a match of this standing and stature will only enhance the reputation of Royal Dornoch, the town and the local area.”

Here are the top amateur events to keep an eye on in 2024

Here are the key events on the amateur schedule in 2024.

What a year it was for amateur golf in 2023.

The best female amateur of all-time, Rose Zhang, capped her career in as strong of fashion as possible, winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and her second straight NCAA Championship. Nick Dunlap won the U.S. Amateur and in the process accomplished something only Tiger Woods had ever done before him: win a U.S. Amateur and a U.S. Junior.

Then there were the American men, which included Dunlap, winning a Walker Cup at St. Andrews and the World Amateur Team Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Amateur golf has never been stronger, and the schedule is looking great for another spectacular year in 2024.

Here are the key events on the amateur schedule in 2024.

Exclusive Pine Valley set to host Curtis Cup for the first time

The Curtis Cup is heading to Pine Valley.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Two years after Pine Valley Golf Club admitted its first female members, the USGA announced that a Curtis Cup would be staged there in 2034. The club has previously hosted two Walker Cup matches in 1936 and 1985.

Considered by many to be the finest course in America, including holding the No. 1 spot in Golfweek’s Best: Classic Courses list, Pine Valley was designed by George Arthur Crump and completed in 1922.

“We are committed to bringing our championships to the finest golf courses in the country, and over the last several years, that commitment has only strengthened for our women’s championships,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “That is why, on the eve of a monumental first U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, this is a fitting and historic announcement for the Curtis Cup and the USGA.”

Francis Ouimet captained the 1936 Walker Cup Match at Pine Valley that saw the U.S. sweep Great Britain and Ireland, 9-0. It was a closer affair in 1985, with Team USA claiming a 13-11 victory.

The Curtis Cup is comprised of two teams of eight female amateur players, one from the USA and one from GB&I. The format consists of six foursomes (alternate-shot) matches, six four-ball matches and eight singles matches over three days of competition. The USA leads the overall series, 31-8-3.

The 43rd Curtis Cup will be played Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 2024, at Sunningdale, England, while the 44th playing will be at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles from June 12-14, 2026.

A look at future Walker Cup and Curtis Cup sites, dates

Here’s a look at future Walker Cup and Curtis Cup sites.

The Walker Cup and Curtis Cup often give glimpses into the future of golf.

The competitions, Walker Cup for men and Curtis Cup for women, are biennial competitions organized by the United States Golf Association and R&A between the best golfers from the U.S. on one team and Great Britain and Ireland on the other team.

The first unofficial Walker Cup was hosted in 1921 at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, which was followed by official annual contests from 1922 through 1924. From 1925 they became biennial.

The Curtis Cup began in 1932 at the Wentworth Club in England.

On March 21, 2022, the R&A and USGA announced the Walker Cup would move to even years in 2026 to avoid future conflicts with the World Amateur Team Championships, which will be played in odd years beginning in 2023.

As for all-time records, in the Walker Cup, the United States leads 38-9-1. And in Curtis Cup, the Americans lead 31-8-3.

Here’s a look at future Walker Cup and Curtis Cup sites.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew set to make history as first professional captain of Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team

Matthew was a three-time Curtis Cupper and the first captain to lead Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup wins.

For those who don’t follow the Curtis Cup closely, the appointment of Catriona Matthew as captain of the 2024 Great Britain and Ireland team at Sunningdale might seem like a no-brainer. Of course she’s qualified for such a position as the three-time Curtis Cupper and major champion became the first captain to lead Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup victories in 2019 and 2021.

What’s historic about the appointment, however, is that a professional player has never captained a Curtis Cup team. Matthew will be the first LPGA pro to lead the team of eight in the biennial competition against Team USA. GB&I last won the Curtis Cup in 2016 at Dun Laoghaire.

The 43rd Curtis Cup match will be played at Sunningdale’s Old Course for the first time, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 2024. Matthew has practically seen it all in the event. She was on the losing side in 1990, the winning side in 1992 at Royal Liverpool and again in 1994 when GB&I retained the trophy.

Winner of the 2009 AIG Women’s British Open and the 1993 Women’s British Amateur, Matthew still works in a mentoring role with Scottish Golf.

“As a player I remember the emotions of competing in the Curtis Cup,” said Matthew in a statement, “the excitement of being on a team rather than competing individually, as well as the desire to perform well for your team and pressure you put on yourself not to let them down. As a captain, it is my job to navigate the players through these situations and to help them believe what is possible.”

Last summer, GB&I lost to the Americans at Merion by a score of 15½-4½. The USGA has also traditionally appointed outstanding amateur golfers to captain its Curtis Cup squads.

“The Curtis Cup has long been a prominent event for women’s elite amateur golf and Great Britain and Ireland has enjoyed some fantastic wins,” said R&A CEO Martin Slumbers in a release. “We are now seeing the amateur level of the sport evolve into a more competitive era and believe that Catriona is the best placed captain to guide the team in this period.”

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USGA announced Meghan Stasi will captain 2024 United States Curtis Cup team

“Being asked to fill the role of captain is humbling.”

The United States will have plenty of experience at the helm during the 2024 Curtis Cup.

The USGA announced Tuesday that four-time Women’s Mid-Am champion Meghan Stasi would captain the 2024 U.S. Curtis Cup team. The biennial competition pits the top female amateur golfers from the U.S. against the best from Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I), and will be at Sunningdale Golf Club in England.

“Meghan is one of the top amateur players of her generation, and her impact on the women’s amateur game is substantial,” John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer, said in a release. “It was clear to us that Meghan becoming captain of our USA team was a matter of when, not if, and we’re thrilled she has agreed to take on the role in 2024.”

Stasi was a member of the victorious 2008 Curtis Cup Team at St. Andrews. Stasi’s four U.S. Women’s Mid-Am titles are tied for the most in the championship’s 35-year history. She won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007 before winning again in 2010 and 2012.

“My experience in 2008 with the Curtis Cup team was incredibly meaningful and rewarding; being asked to fill the role of captain is humbling,” Stasi said. “I’ve had the opportunity to attend the match and be around the teams the last two years in Wales and at Merion, and the level of talent and poise these amateur golfers have is inspiring and infectious to be around. I can’t wait to begin this journey and most of all, be part of the USA team again.”

In 2021, Stasi became the youngest individual ever inducted into the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) Hall of Fame. To date, she has won 17 FSGA titles, including two Florida Women’s Amateurs and five Florida Women’s Mid-Amateurs. Stasi is an eight-time FSGA Player of the Year.

The U.S. won the 2022 Curtis Cup at Merion Golf Club for its third straight victory. The USA leads the overall series, 31-8-3.

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Five things to know from historic Merion, where Team USA dominated the 42nd Curtis Cup

The only drama on Sunday at the 42nd Curtis Cup centered around which player would clinch it for Team USA.

ARDMORE, Pennsylvania – It was never really close. The only drama on Sunday at the 42nd Curtis Cup centered around which player would clinch it for Team USA.

That turned out to be Rachel Kuehn, who enjoyed the same honor last year in Wales. The U.S. won every session of every day, trouncing Great Britain and Ireland, 15.5 to 4.5.

“It’s just an incredible moment,” said Kuehn, whose mom Brenda Corrie Kuehn was waiting off the side of the green with a hug.

Rookie Megha Ganne, who went 3-0, called the week the highlight of her amateur career. She’ll be a freshman at Stanford in the fall, joining stars Rachel Heck and Rose Zhang.

“This has been the greatest week of my life,” added another rookie Latanna Stone, who stuffed her approach on the iconic 18th to seal her singles victory against Charlotte Heath.

Emily Price was the only player on the GB&I team to win her singles match.

Curtis Cup: Great Britain and Ireland needs near singles sweep to upset U.S. at historic Merion

The Americans ended Saturday with a commanding 8½ to 3½ lead.

ARDMORE, PA. — It looked like Great Britain and Ireland might finally get the session they needed at the 42nd Curtis Cup. Captain Elaine Ratcliffe’s squad was 4 up in two matches and 2 up in a third in afternoon foursomes.

But it didn’t last.

The visiting team lost momentum down the stretch at Merion as the Americans ended Saturday with a commanding 8½ to 3½ lead. Team USA only needs 10 points to retain the Cup. GB&I hasn’t won on U.S. soil since 1994 at The Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Curtis Cup rookie Amari Avery is now 4-0 for the week and has a chance to become only the third American to go 5-0, joining Stacy Lewis and Kristen Gillman.

Avery paired with Megha Ganne for both fourball victories and Rachel Kuehn in foursomes.

Team USA player Amari Avery reacts after putting on hole one during Four-Ball Matches at the 2022 Curtis Cup at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. on Saturday, June 11, 2022. (Chris Keane/USGA)

Hannah Darling and Annabell Fuller delivered the only full point for GB&I in the afternoon session, defeating Jensen Castle and Latanna Stone, 2 and 1. Darling picked up a slice of pepperoni and sausage pizza in the media room late in the round and said it gave her a boost.

“Down the stretch was tough,” said Darling. “I needed something to kind of lift me up a little bit. I went for the pepperoni and sausage. It was pretty good. It was actually a bigger slice than I wanted, but you know what, I ate it all.”

Darling said her partner was jealous and asked for a bite. Fuller noted that last year at Conwy Golf Club in Wales, there was an ice cream van near the 13th that they enjoyed visiting. Seeing Darling come out with a slice of pizza brought back good memories.

“I knew coming into that she was deemed to hole some putts,” said Fuller as Ratcliffe stood a few steps away eating her own piece of the pie.

Ratcliffe said her team set a pace on Saturday afternoon that put more pressure on the U.S. She’d like to see more of that in Sunday singles.

“We took it to them,” said Ratcliffe, “we executed shots. The result in the end perhaps does not show the golf that was played out there.”

Team GB&I player Caley McGinty chips to the green on hole 17 during Foursomes Matches at the 2022 Curtis Cup at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. on Saturday, June 11, 2022. (Chris Keane/USGA)

Darling noted that her team has gone over all the putts that came close at every meal so far this week. She’s looking forward to talking about the ones that dropped late in the fourth session and believes they’re due for more.

“I think we waited a little bit too long to get our first win on the board,” said Fuller, “but I mean, we’re all going into tomorrow with our head held strong and our whole team wants this more than anything, and especially after last year it being so tight. … I know we want it more than the Americans and we’re all going to play our hearts out.”

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