Walker Cup captain Robertson says there's place in team for South of Ireland champion

The 6th green at Lahinch Golf Club in Co Clare. File pic.

Simon Lewis Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson has offered a potentially huge incentive to potential players by saying the winner of this year’s South of Ireland Championship could make return visit to Lahinch this September as part of his team to take on the United States.

The Walker Cup returns to the island of Ireland for the first time since Royal County Down hosted the event in 2007 with former Scottish pro turned coach Robertson resuming the role he held last year at Cypress Point in California.

GB&I lost that one 17-9 but Robertson is hoping the genuine links test of Lahinch and slower greens will benefit his players, as will a dry run on the Clare coastline at this summer’s 123rd South of Ireland.

The former European Tour pro, speaking as Walker Cup tickets for September went on sale through the R&A, will not insist on team hopefuls playing the South this July 23-27, although he said: “I've just strongly encouraged them and certainly the South of Ireland is one that you will see a different dynamic in the entry list for sure.” Robertson added: “Lahinch is unique, there's a lot of run-offs in terms of the greens and so on and so forth, it's shorter than some of them but it will be a fantastic match play golf course.

“I will be back for the South of Ireland as will a number of strong contenders for the team. The winner of the South of Ireland certainly brings a new dynamic to that event and you're looking for foreign players, you're looking for winners in the team, so who's to say the winner of the South of Ireland isn't a Walker Cup player this year?”