Lahinch honoured to host 2020 Palmer Cup

Lahinch Golf Club will not be taking the honour of hosting the 2020 Arnold Palmer Cup lightly.

The famous links on Ireland’s Atlantic coast was last week awarded the right to stage collegiate team matchplay competition based on the Ryder Cup, and which from next year will transform from a US versus Europe event for men into a USA v Rest of the World contest between mixed teams.

Lahinch will follow Doonbeg and Royal County Down as Irish hosts of the Palmer Cup, co-founded by and named after the late Arnold Palmer in 1997, initially as a contest between the US and GB & Ireland.

It has since developed into a leading fixture on the collegiate golf calendar with a roster of former participants including Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Graeme McDowell.

There was delight at Lahinch when the Clare links was named as host for the event in July 2020 and the golf club, in a statement from club captains Gerry Pierse and Angela Cullinan promised a unique experience for visitors and players alike three years from now.

“This is a great honour for Lahinch. It is also, we believe, recognition of the club’s support and encouragement for the amateur game stretching back over a century, with the hosting by the club of the first South of Ireland Championship in 1895 and the Irish Ladies Close Championship in 1904.

“We have no doubt but the experience of competitive golf on a classic links course will create lasting memories for the young men and women who are selected to represent their respective teams.

“As a club we will do all in our power to ensure that the tournament is true to the ethos of the game and the vision of Mr Palmer by using our friendship in golf as one of the great avenues for communication and understanding between the nations of the world.

"Above all we can assure all visitors to Lahinch who come to participate, whether as player, spectator or administrator, a truly unique and wonderful Irish welcome.”