The Arnold Palmer Cup is an annual team golf competition for college/university golfers. It is named for Arnold Palmer. From 2018 it has been contested between a United States team and an International team representing the rest of the world. The teams consist of 12 men and 12 women. The teams are selected on the basis of nationality, not according to the location of the players' universities.
The 2026 event was held July 3 to 5 at Tralee Golf Club, in Ireland.
History From its foundation in 1997 until 2017 the event was only contested by men. From 1997 until 2002 the United States played Great Britain & Ireland while from 2003 to 2017 the United States played a European team. Many of the European players attended American universities as sports scholarships have never been a feature of the university system in Europe. Until 2016, the event was known as the Palmer Cup.
From 1997 until 2013 the match was contested between eight-man teams. There were four four-ball matches, four foursome matches, and two sets of eight singles matches for a total of 24 points. From 2014 the teams were increased from eight to ten with five four-ball matches, five foursome matches, and two sets of ten singles matches for 30 points overall. The order of the four sessions has varied with the match being played over either two or three days.
From 2018 it has been contested between a United States team and an International team representing the rest of the world. The teams consist of 12 men and 12 women.
Results YearWinnerMarginVenueLocation2026 International 30–29 Tralee Golf Club Ireland2025 International 35–25 Congaree Golf Club South Carolina2024 32–27 Lahinch Golf Club Ireland2023 32–28 Laurel Valley Golf Club Pennsylvania2022 International 33–27 Golf Club de Genève Switzerland2021 33–27 Rich Harvest Farms Illinois2020 International 40–19 Bay Hill Club and Lodge Florida2019 International 33–26 The Alotian Club Arkansas2018 38–21 Evian Resort Golf Club France2017 19–10 Atlanta Athletic Club Georgia2016 18–11 Formby Golf Club England 2015 18–12 Rich Harvest Farms Illinois2014 18–11 Walton Heath Golf Club England2013 20–9 Wilmington Country Club Delaware2012 13–10 Royal County Down Golf Club Northern Ireland2011 13–11 The Stanwich Club Connecticut2010 13–11 Royal Portrush Golf Club Northern Ireland2009 13–11 Cherry Hills Country Club Colorado2008 14–10 Glasgow Golf Club Gailes Links Scotland2007 18–6 Caves Valley Golf Club Maryland2006 19–4 Prestwick Golf Club Scotland2005 14–10 Whistling Straits, Irish Course Wisconsin2004 14–9 Ballybunion Golf Club Ireland2003 14–10 Kiawah Island Club, Cassique Course South Carolina2002 15–8 Doonbeg Golf Club Ireland2001 18–6 Baltusrol Golf Club New Jersey2000 & 12–11 Royal Liverpool Golf Club England1999 17–6 Honors Course Tennessee1998 Tied 12–12 Old Course and New Course Scotland1997 19–5 Bay Hill Club and Lodge Florida
Of the 29 matches, the United States team has won 15, the International/European/Great Britain and Ireland team has won 14, with 1 match tied.
Michael Carter award The Michael Carter Award was inaugurated in 2002. On February 13, 2002, former Penn State University golfer Michael Carter died in an automobile accident at the age of 19. "The Michael Carter “Junior” Memorial Award is presented to the Arnold Palmer Cup participant from each team who best represents the qualities and ideals that made this young man unique."
Former participants
The following competitors have subsequently played in either the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup: Daniel Berger, Kevin Chappell, Ben Curtis, Luke Donald (2), Rickie Fowler, Lucas Glover (2), Bill Haas (2), J. J. Henry, J. B. Holmes, Dustin Johnson, Chris Kirk, Matt Kuchar (2), Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell (2), Francesco Molinari, Thomas Pieters, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Justin Thomas (2), Oliver Wilson (3).
See also Walker Cup NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships
References
External links