The 1971 Walker Cup, the 23rd Walker Cup Match, was played on 26 and 27 May 1971, on the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland. The event was won by Great Britain & Ireland 13 to 11, their first win in the event since 1938.
Although Great Britain and Ireland won all the first morning foursomes, the United States won six of the eight singles and held a one point lead after the first day. The United States lead increased to two points after the second day foursomes. However Great Britain and Ireland won six of the eight singles matches to win the Walker Cup for the first time since World War II.
Format The format for play on Wednesday and Thursday was the same. There were four matches of foursomes in the morning and eight singles matches in the afternoon. In all, 24 matches were played.
Each of the 24 matches was worth one point in the larger team competition. If a match was all square after the 18th hole extra holes were not played. Rather, each side earned ½ a point toward their team total. The team that accumulated at least 12½ points won the competition. If the two teams were tied, the previous winner would retain the trophy.
Teams Ten players for the United States and Great Britain & Ireland participated in the event. Great Britain & Ireland had a playing captain, while the United States had a non-playing captain.
Great Britain & Ireland & Playing captain: Michael Bonallack Roddy Carr Rodney Foster Charlie Green Warren Humphreys Scott Macdonald George Macgregor Geoff Marks David Marsh Hugh Stuart
United States
Captain: John M. Winters William C. Campbell John Farquhar Jim Gabrielsen Vinny Giles Bill Hyndman Tom Kite Steve Melnyk Allen Miller Jim Simons Lanny Wadkins
Wednesday's matches
Morning foursomes & Results Bonallack/Humphreys 1 upWadkins/SimonsGreen/Carr 1 upMelnyk/GilesMarsh/Macgregor 2 & 1Miller/FarquharMacdonald/Foster 2 & 1Campbell/Kite 4 Foursomes 0 4 Overall 0
Afternoon singles & Results Charlie Green 1 upLanny WadkinsMichael Bonallack 1 upVinny GilesGeoff Marks 1 upAllen MillerScott Macdonald 3 & 2Steve MelnykRoddy CarrhalvedBill HyndmanWarren Humphreys 1 upJim GabrielsonHugh Stuart 3 & 2John FarquharRodney Foster 3 & 2Tom Kite 1½ Singles 6½ 5½ Overall 6½
Thursday's matches
Morning foursomes & Results Marks/Green 1 upMelnyk/GilesStuart/Carr 1 upWadkins/GabrielsonMarsh/Bonallack 5 & 4Miller/FarquharMacdonald/FosterhalvedCampbell/Kite 1½ Foursomes 2½ 7 Overall 9
Afternoon singles & Results Michael Bonallack 3 & 1Lanny WadkinsHugh Stuart 2 & 1Vinny GilesWarren Humphreys 2 & 1Steve MelnykCharlie Green 1 upAllen MillerRoddy Carr 2 upJim SimonsGeorge Macgregor 1 upJim GabrielsonDavid Marsh 1 upBill HyndmanGeoff Marks 3 & 2Tom Kite 6 Singles 2 13 Overall 11
References