embarrassed - not least because he was standing with a SILENCE PLEASE notice held above his head. The Match was level as the teams


entered the clubhouse for lunch on the final day, but the Americans meant business and it was intriguing to see their skills and determination in the afternoon singles. I have vivid memories of following the


American Bob Lewis playing Stephan Keppler. What an


impressive player


Lewis was. He and Keppler shook hands on the first tee and that was the end of


their conversation. Lewis marched


JOE PINNINGTON The year before the 1983 Walker Cup there was concern that the links of Hoylake was not suitable to stage such an event, but thanks to some hard work and wonderful warm spring rain all was fine. However, back then the course had been struggling for a few years. Those were the times we were living in - there wasn’t enough money to do what was required. Nevertheless, the match


against


America had made a welcome return to Hoylake after 62 years but this time as the Walker Cup. On the first occasion it was the brainchild of Secretary Harold Janion, who put together a USA vs. GB match right before the Amateur championship of 1921. 1983 was not a huge event. There were


a few marquees at the top left of the first, two public lavatories, the odd phone box and one first aid outlet. Even the opening ceremony was hardly an occasion, though the band of the Royal Marines was engaged by The R&A to add some


sound and colour. When the teams were introduced to the public the Americans stood tall, hands on their blazer badges and oozing pride. My recollection of the home team was a sort of shuffling forward as their names were read out. There were certainly two teams out there but, judging from ‘body language’, only one winner, and so it turned out. I was allotted Stewarding duty in the second match of the morning with my dear friend David Beazley who seemed to know what he was doing. I should have known it was a mistake. All went well until we arrived at the 15th green with another group approaching the green on the 13th in full view from our position. Beazley, who was not known for his concentration, chose to watch the match on the 13th rather than his own. Jay Sigel, the US playing captain, holed his shot from a bunker. Beazley exclaimed, “You jammy sod, Sigel!” and everybody around the 15th green gave a loud “Shhhhhh!” He looked slightly


ahead, always a few strides in front of his opponent, and just ground out a strong win. Crowds of 5000 a day had been


expected but I’m sure they never materialised. I have a feeling attendance will be much, much higher next year.


JOHN HEGGARTY I was Royal Liverpool’s relatively new and very young Professional in 1983 and, in truth, I didn’t know a huge amount about the amateur game. What I do recall is that the USA


team arrived favourites in more ways than one. On the one hand, they were said to have strength in depth and had a playing captain who was a great amateur golfer and something of a Walker Cup phenomenon in the shape of Jay Sigel. Added to him were talents like Brad Faxon, Rick Fehr and Bob Lewis. Their lineup also included Nathaniel the son of an entertainment


Crosby,


legend, so even though he wasn’t necessarily the most feared golfer in the USA team, he was definitely the one who


I should have known it was a mistake


Above: The Great Britain and Ireland team


Far Left: Rick Fehr


Left: The food was fast and patriotic


4 ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE 2018–2019


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