Irish pair face tough debuts on familiar terrain

Rampant Americans once remarked rather cruelly that the only successful assault by their opponents on the Walker Cup was entirely…

Rampant Americans once remarked rather cruelly that the only successful assault by their opponents on the Walker Cup was entirely accidental. It happened in the 1932 matches at Brookline, where a hooked second shot from English international Leonard Crawley hit the trophy, knocking it off its pedestal.

The mood will be rather different this weekend, however, when the British and Irish team defend the trophy which they captured at Royal Porthcawl two years ago. That was when Padraig Harrington and Jody Fanagan each contributed three points to a 14-10 triumph.

Ireland's representatives on this occasion are Keith Nolan and Richard Coughlan who, in view of their American college background, are expected to become dominant figures here at Quaker Ridge tomorrow and Sunday. But with a record of 30 wins, one tie and only four losses in 35 meetings, the US are certain to be formidable opponents.

Remarkably, the venue has not held a tournament of any significance since 1936. That was the Metropolitan Open in which Byron Nelson, then an assistant at Ridgewood CC in New Jersey, gained his first important professional victory.

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Yet Quaker Ridge is highly rated, not least because it was designed by A W Tillinghast, who was also responsible for Winged Foot, where the USPGA Championship takes place next week. Indeed, when Jack Nicklaus was asked to comment on Winged Foot during the 1974 USPGA, he replied: "Well, there is another terrific course right down the road (Quaker Ridge)."

In a magazine article in 1969, three-time US Masters champion Jimmy Demaret wrote: "Quaker Ridge is the most underrated golf course in the New York area, because it has never been host for a major championship. In my opinion, it would be a tough test of golf for any tournament - US Open and the PGA included."

More recently, the sometimes controversial American architect, Pete Dye, claimed that the course "has some of the greatest golf holes ever seen". And the celebrated American golf writer, Herbert Warren Wind, said: "Few courses in America have as many holes of such real character."

Completed in 1915 to a design by John Duncan Dunn and Tillinghast, it later had some modifications from Tillinghast in 1926. After that, it became known as "Tillie's hidden treasure". With a length of 6,772 yards for a par of 70, Quaker Ridge is located in Scarsdale, 25 miles north-east of New York City.

Given the lack of important tournaments on the course, the club became better known over the years for its membership. Among them were the Gershwin brothers, George and Ira, who frequently entertained members of the New York theatrical world there.

In essence, it is a classic parkland layout where tree-lined fairways and deceptively narrow landing areas demand extremely straight driving. Given that it's not a particularly long layout, however, players will have the option of using a three-wood or a long iron off the tee.

Yet the designer was particularly proud of the premium he placed on approach play. "I think that I will always adhere to my old theory that a controlled shot to a closely-guarded green is the surest test of any man's golf," said Tillinghast.

Eight of the par fours measure 425 yards or more, and the stretch from the fourth to the seventh contains the most difficult sequence of holes. Then there is the 387-yard 11th, a tantalising dogleg where a stream protects the front of the green.

Finishing with a daunting, 440yard par four, it is still an eminently fair course, with no blind shots and no excessive carries off the tee. Small wonder that it invariably features among the top25 in lists of America's leading 100 courses.

In terms of experience, the Americans have the edge. John Harris (45), is the only player from either side to have appeared in two previous Walker Cup matches - in 1993 and 1995. In the process, the 1993 US Amateur champion won his four singles matches.

The most experienced of the British and Irish side is Barclay Howard (44). "Get a picture of that before it disappears," he said to his caddie, Ian McCosh, when his name appeared on the leaderboard during the British Open at Royal Troon last month.

As it happened, Howard's name remained there for quite a while. In fact he easily claimed the amateur medal with a nine-over-par aggregate of 293 (70, 74, 76, 73), prompting the generous, post-championship comment from the winner, Justin Leonard: "I think the American side is going to have a tough time with him."

One of the most interesting players on either side is Steve Scott who, at 19, is the youngest in the US line-up. He went extremely close to changing the course of golfing history 12 months ago when he was five-up against Tiger Woods in last year's final of the US Amateur, only to lose on the 38th.

Had he won, what would have happened to Woods? Would he have remained at Stanford instead of turning professional later last August?

Meanwhile, England's Justin Rose, at 17 years and 10 days, will tomorrow become the youngest player to appear in the Walker Cup, beating the record of 17 years and seven months set by Ronan Rafferty at Cypress Point in 1981. Peter Baker was 17 years and 10 months when he played in the 1985 team.

Britain And Ireland: Michael Brooks (25), Richard Coughlan (22), Barclay Howard (44), Keith Nolan (24), David Park (23), Graham Rankin (31), Justin Rose (17), Craig Watson (31), Gary Wolstenholme (36), Steven Young (20). Non-Playing captain: Clive Brown (Wales).

United States: Jerry Courville Jnr (38), Duke Delcher (41), Brad Elder (21), John Harris (45), Joel Kribel (20), Randy Leen (21), Steve Scott (19), Chris Wollmann (22), Buddy Marucci Jnr (45), Jason Gore (23). Non-playing captain: Downing Gray.