Photograph: Ross Parker/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
LAHINCH hosting the Walker Cup is an “accumulation of everything” that the golf club stands for.
For only the third time of the fifty one previous Walker Cups, the bi-ennial match between the top amateur golfers in Ireland, Great Britain and the USA, is taking place in Ireland.
Captain of Lahinch Golf Club, John Gleeson speaking at Friday’s official ceremony outlined the hope that the millions watching the Walker Cup across the world would get a sense of what North-West Clare has to offer.
He stated, “We pride ourselves on being warm and friendly in Lahinch, we want the millions of people watching on television to get a sense of that camaraderie”.
Gleeson said it was a huge honour for Lahinch to host the Walker Cup for the first time. “For us it is an accumulation that everything Lahinch stands for”.
Friday’s opening ceremony saw both teams led out in front of the glistening €6.1m Lahinch clubhouse by two goats, the mascot of the famous golf club.
Windy conditions made it difficult for those among the 1,500 attendance to hear all that was said during the twenty eight minute ceremony. Even the golfers responsible for raising the flags found it difficult to carry out the task.
Foursomes teed off at 08:30 in Lahinch on Saturday morning to mark the first day’s activities. A 2½-1½ score in favour of GB&I in the first day’s foursomes is the third consecutive staging of the Walker Cup that they have been in the lead at this stage. At the last two Walker Cups (2023 at St Andrews and 2025 at Cypress Point) the score was 3-1 at this stage. The USA have not been in the lead after the first day’s foursomes since 2009 when they led 3-1.
Singles on day one began at 14:00.
A traffic management plan is in place for Lahinch on Saturday and Sunday for the event. 16,000 spectators are expected to attend the Walker Cup across the weekend with 8,000 per day.
An Garda Síochána have said that traffic restrictions “will be kept to the minimum required and it is intended that any impact on the public will be localised and minimal. All road users should be aware of higher volumes of pedestrians than normal in the Lahinch area”.
Intermittent temporary traffic stops will be on the Liscannor Rd on both mornings and afternoons to facilitate play. Temporary stops on Saturday will occur during 09:00 to 10:30 and from 14:50 to 16:30 while the allocated times on Sunday are from 08:50 to 09:50 and again from 14:20 to 16:50. Motorists are advised to avoid Liscannor Road during those times.
Lower level of the beach promenade car park will be closed until Wednesday (September 9th).
Liscannor Rd car park, the upper level of the beach car park and coach parking area and the Miltown Malbay road car park remain open as normal to members of the public.
Signposted parking for those attending the Walker Cup is on the approach to the community sportsfield on the Liscannor Rd.
“Coaches for the event should use the Lahinch bus stop as a drop-off and pick-up area, then follow signage to the coach waiting area at Ennistymon Community School. Gardaí continue to liaise with the event organisers and Clare County Council and will be on duty throughout the weekend to offer assistance,” a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána advised.
