Golf: Royal Co Down has been confirmed as the venue for the 2007 Walker Cup. The prestigious amateur event will be played in the Newcastle course less than two years after the 2005 Ryder Cup takes place at the K Club.
This is only the second time in the competition's history that the R&A have awarded the event to Ireland, the last occasion being in Portmarnock in 1991 when 20,000 spectators turned out to watch over the two days.
Interest in the Walker Cup, like the Ryder Cup itself, has grown over the years with the British and Irish team putting together a run of three wins in the last four matches. The home side is seeking a third win in succession at Ganton Golf Club in England this September.
Many high-profile professionals have graduated from the Walker Cup. When the event was held at the famous Dublin links, Phil Mickelson and David Duval were on the successful US team while Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley were in the home side.
Royal Co Down, a course that requires a number of blind shots and puts a premium on precision more than power, has staged a number of professional and amateur events, including the British Amateur Championship.
