Golf Central

...two...three...four...I declare a thumb war...

Nope, it's nothing to do with Des Walker, Roy Walker, Walker's Crisps, Luke Skywalker or any of that. So what is the Walker Cup? Well a cup obviously, but...oh just read this then you'll know.

1. The Walker Cup is contested in odd numbered years between the leading U.S and G.B and Ireland amateurs and is co-organised by the R&A and the USGA. Much like the Ryder Cup, it is played in matches.

2. Originally, the Cup was played annually but this changed in 1924, as the expense of the tournament was deemed too high to merit being played each year. Since then, the bi-annual format has been adopted, except  in 1938, when the series was interrupted by famous sporting event ruiner - WWII. 

3. Founded in 1920, the Walker Cup was named after George Herbert Walker, President of the USGA. Interestingly, he was the grandfather of former President of The USA, George H. W. Bush and the great-grandfather of George 'Now watch this drive' Dubya Bush.

4. In the inaugural match, in 1922, Bernard Darwin, the golf writer for The Times, accompanied the British team to America. When the British captain, Robert Harris, fell ill, Darwin stepped in and defeated the American Captain, William Fownes, 3 and 1.

5. The oldest ever competitor was Michael Scott OBE,  who competed, somewhat fittingly, at the Old Course at St. Andrews in 1934. He was 55 years and 8 months old at the time. The previous year he set the record as the oldest ever winner of the Amateur Championship. He remains competitive to this day at 129 years old.

6. Joseph B. Carr competed for GB and Ireland a record 11 times between 1947 and 1967. Carr will be posthumously inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame this November, but don't worry, they won't be dragging his dead body down there, it'll probably just be a plaque or something.

7. IGWT favourite, Oliver Fisher, was the youngest ever competitor at 16 years and 11 months when he played at the Chicago G.C in 2005. His feat was made all the more impressive by the fact that he still got back in time to do his homework and tidy his room.

8. This year's Walker Cup will be held at the Royal County Down Golf Club. Old Tom Morris is credited with routing the course which is widely regarded as the first to have nine holes 'out' and nine holes 'back'. Before then, golfers who had played the full 18 would either face a long walk to the clubhouse or hitch a ride on a tram or a penny farthing or something.

9. The USA have won the cup 32 times compared to a much less showy and more restrained 7 for GB and Ireland. As always, with any sport, it's the taking part that counts. Unless we win this year of course, in which case it's “Woo! In your face Uncle Sam!”

10. Tiger Woods took part in 2005 but was beaten in his singles match by short-hitting Gary' Kenneth' Wolstenholme who surely dines out on that story every night.