Dalgleish named Walker Cup team captain

Former Scottish champion Colin Dalgleish will captain Britain and Ireland when they try to win back the Walker Cup from the US at Royal County Down in September 2007.

The 45-year-old takes over from Garth McGimpsey, who steered the side to an unprecedented third successive victory at Ganton two years ago, but in August saw the United States regain the trophy in Chicago on the last green of the last game.

Dalgleish’s first match in charge will be the St Andrews Trophy meeting against Continental Europe in the Czech Republic on September 1-2 next year.

“We are delighted that Colin has agreed to take on the role of captain,” said Peter McEvoy, chairman of the Royal and Ancient Club’s selection committee.

“He has a wealth of experience, not only as a player, but also in captaining Scotland to many successes.

"I have no doubt that under his leadership, the exciting group of youngsters coming through will be challenging for places in the teams destined to bring trophies back to the British Isles.”

Dalgleish won the Scottish amateur title in 1981 and later that year was rewarded with a place in the Walker Cup team at Cypress Point.

A director of golf travel company Perry Golf, he represented Scotland on a regular basis between 1981 and 1989 and, following spells as captain of the boys and youths’ teams, captained the senior team from 1993 to 1996, when they won the European amateur team championship in Antwerp.