The Walker Cup

The Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland (in political terms the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland). The event, officially called the Walker Cup Match (not "Matches", unlike the professional Ryder Cup Matches), is co-organised by the R&A and the United States Golf Association, and is named in honor of George Herbert Walker (grandfather and namesake of the former President of the United StatesGeorge H. W. Bush and great-grandfather of former President George W. Bush), who was president of the USGA in 1920 when the series was initiated. There was an unofficial event in 1921 and annual events to 1924. From that time on it became a biennial event, and after World War Two it switched to odd numbered years. It is played alternately on either side of the Atlantic. Half points for matches finishing even were awarded for the first time in 1971.