St Andrews, Scotland - Nigel Edwards has been
appointed as the Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team that
will face the United States of America at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in
the 2011 Walker Cup Match. Edwards will also captain the GB&I team as
they take on the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy Match at Castelconturbia Golf Club, Italy, next year.
A long-time member of Whitchurch Golf Club, he has played in four
successive Walker Cup Matches between 2001 and 2007, winning four
matches, losing five and tying three.
"I am delighted to have been invited to be the next Great Britain and
Ireland Walker Cup Captain. It is a great honour for me, my family and
for Welsh Golf, and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead,"
said Edwards.
"The goal is to win back the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen and I will
lead the team with great pride and enthusiasm. I will put all of my
Walker Cup experience to good use in ensuring that the team selected
prepares well and performs to the very best of its ability.
"The Walker Cup is a great sporting spectacle that conjures up moments
and experiences that will live with players for their entire careers
and I am really excited about continuing my involvement with the
match."
Edwards was instrumental in GB&I's 2003 victory at Ganton Golf Club,
holing a 30-yard putt from off the green at the 17th to ensure overall
victory and finishing as that match's leading points-scorer. In 2005
and 2007, the 41-year-old was part of GB&I teams that suffered defeat
to the USA by a single point.
"Nigel is absolutely the right person to regain the Walker Cup in 2011
and we are delighted that he has accepted the invitation," said
Chairman of Selectors, Tony Disley. "Not only will his extensive recent
experience and outstanding record in team golf ensure the respect and
admiration of his players, but his enthusiasm and determination to
succeed will prove an invaluable asset at Royal Aberdeen."
In addition to his Walker Cup successes, Edwards has been part of three
victorious GB&I teams in the St Andrews Trophy and part of two winning
European teams in the Bonallack Trophy against Asia/Pacific. He also
won the Home Internationals and the European Nations Cup with Wales in
2002.
Edwards is the Director of Player Development and Coaching at the Golf
Union of Wales, taking responsibility for directing player development
and managing the provision of coaching for elite players and national
teams. He is still ranked just outside the top 100 amateur players in
the world (103rd) according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and he
has been in possession of nine amateur course records including those
of Royal Lytham & St Annes and the New and Jubilee courses at St
Andrews.
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