ON REFLECTION… ■ The resumption of The Walker Cup


after the war highlighted a widening gap in the playing standards between the USA and the GB&I players. It could be argued that the Americans had more time to play golf or that they had more competitions available to enter and that their playing of golf was much less affected during the war years. However, these were not the major influencing factors in the difference. The style of play was the primary reason. They had developed a firmness about their game manifested by strong arm and hand action. This resulted in the ball being hit more firmly off the tee and it was struck harder as well. Wristiness was removed from their shots. This approach and the role of the larger golf ball, played by the Americans, was the reason for their superiority and consistency. Henry Cotton succinctly summarised the role of the larger ball when he stated, “They have tailored their game to suit it. Their problem is keeping it down. They’ve got to move into it and drive it forward with firm strong hands to hold it down and stop it climbing. It is the ball which has dictated this action – nothing else. They’ve learned to work it and control it.” ■ A member of the visiting USA team won the Amateur Championship on each occasion that the match was played in Britain except when Michael Lunt won at Turnberry 1963. This showed the strength of the USA team. ■ All the winners of the Amateur Championships held at Hoylake during these years featured on Walker Cup teams: 1953 Carr, 1962 Davies, and 1969 Bonallack. ■ The USA team generally played with the larger ball whilst the GB&I team played with the smaller ball. Some of the USA team carried a supply of smaller balls which they used at particular holes. ■ The USA teams of this era had as many as 30 players turn to the professional game. Jack Nicklaus, the most successful golfer in history, played in two Walker Cup matches before going on to his extraordinary career as a pro. ■ Ronnie White, who played golf at Hoylake, featured in 5 Walker Cup matches, 1947 to 1955. He was victorious in 6 of the 10 games he played and halved 1. ■ Brian Chapman, who is still a member at Hoylake, played in the 1961 match. He played with J Walker against Jack Nicklaus and Deane Beman.


30 ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE 2 017


In 1969…... The Cup was fought for in Milwaukee. The


American team included Marvin Giles III, winner of the Amateur at Hoylake in 1975, Hubert Green, Bill Hyndman and 18 year old Lanny Wadkins. The GB&I team included Craddock, Bruce Critchley and Bonallack as playing Captain. On the first day, the USA won 7 games. On the second GB&I won 5 games, 2 foursomes and 3 singles, to the USA’s 3 games. USA won the match 10 games to 8.


In 1971…... It was back to St Andrews. The GB&I


team included Bonallack as Captain, Charlie Green, George McGregor, David Marsh and Roddy Carr, son of the legendary Joe Carr. The USA team included Wadkins, Giles, Campbell and Tom Kite. On the first day, GB&I won 4 foursomes games for the first time in the history of the competition. However,


Above: The victorious GB&I team of 1971


Right: Joe Carr’s Amateur championship medal


the USA team won 6½ games in the singles. There was another first in this Walker Cup, as halved matches now counted for a ½ point. On the second day the foursomes went 2 ½ to 1 ½ to the Americans. The overall position going into the afternoon singles was USA 9 games, GB&I 7 games. Victory in 6 of the singles was sufficient to give GB&I an overall winning margin of 13 games to 11 games. Irishman Roddy Carr was the leading GB&I player winning 3 ½ points out of a possible 4. In recalling his emotions as the match reached its climax and he faced a crucial putt Roddy said: “As I stood over that putt I bowed my head and said a Hail Mary and beseeched the Almighty to guide the ball into the hole.” When it dropped, to give him victory in his game, he was rewarded with the biggest prize of all – a hug from his father. The outcome of the match came down


to the Marsh v Hyndman game. At least a halved game was required by Marsh to ensure victory. When Hyndman reached the green of the difficult par 4 17th in 2 Marsh knew that he had to match him. The pressure on him was extreme, but to his eternal credit he got there with a career best 3 iron thus ensuring the half and the match. The shot has become part of the folklore of the Walker Cup. Overall the GB&I victory, on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the competition, was a fitting farewell to the Walker Cup for both team Captain


Michael Bonallack and the Carr family who featured in a record number of matches. ■


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