Amateur golf competition
The England–Scotland Amateur Match was an annual men's amateur golf competition organised by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, contested by teams representing England and Scotland, with the winners being presented with the Walker Cup. It was played from 1902 to 1931, although the match lapsed between 1913 and 1921. It was played in connection with The Amateur Championship, on the Saturday either before or after the championship.
The match continued after 1931 but was organised by the national golf unions as part of the Men's Home Internationals, in which Ireland and Wales also competed.
History.
The 1902 match was decided by holes. After the morning round Scotland led in 5 matches, England in 4 with one level. At that point Scotland led by just one hole 14–13. In the afternoon rounds Scotland led in 6 matches, England in 3 with one level. In the afternoon matches alone Scotland won by 6 holes, 18–12. Over the 36 holes Scotland had won 6 of the 10 matches, England winning the other 4, Scotland winning by 28 holes in their 6 wins, England by 21 in their 4 wins. Some sources give the result as 32–25, the sum of the morning and afternoon results, while others give 28–21. Either way, Scotland won by 7 holes.
The event lapsed after 1912. A match was planned for 1921 but was cancelled because a match between Britain and America had been arranged, the forerunner of the Walker Cup matches.
Starting in 1927 Scotland and Ireland had played an annual match. In 1927 and 1929 this was held in Ireland, before the Irish Amateur Open Championship, while in 1928 and 1930 it was held in Scotland, just before the England–Scotland match.
The 1931 Amateur Championship was held at Royal North Devon. On the previous occasions that it had been held there, there were far fewer Scottish entries than normal and as a consequence the Scottish team was not fully representative. It was therefore decided to hold the England–Scotland match at a different time and on a different venue, being played at Royal Liverpool in August. In addition it was decided to play a match between England and Ireland on the day before. Ireland and Scotland had already decided to hold their match in Ireland in September. It was later arranged that a Welsh team should attend, playing matches against Scotland and Ireland on the days when England were playing Ireland and Scotland. England beat Ireland 10–4 while Wales lost 2–12 to Scotland and 2–11 to Ireland. England did not play Wales. With Scotland winning both their matches and then beating Ireland the following month, they were the unofficial champion country.
The Men's Home Internationals, in which all four countries play each other, started in 1932. In 1952 Raymond Oppenheimer, an ex-England and Walker Cup captain, presented a trophy for the tournament, known as the Raymond Trophy.
Format.
The 1902 match had teams of 10, who played singles matches over 36 holes. All 36 holes were played and the overall result was decided by holes won. From 1903 the teams were reduced to 9-a-side and the result was decided by matches. Extra holes were played if necessary to achieve a result. The format was changed for 1912, the main consisting of 5 foursomes matches rather than 9 singles.
When the event was revived in 1922 the format was changed. There were teams of 10 playing 5 foursomes matches in the morning and 10 singles in the afternoon. Matches were over 18 holes with halved matches not counting.
Results.
The 1902 match was decided by holes.
Appearances.
The following are those who played in at least one of the matches.
England.
1922–1931.
In their match against Ireland in 1931 England had the same team that played against Scotland the following day.
Scotland.
1922–1931.
In their match against Wales in 1931 Scotland had the same team that played against England the following day.
References.
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