McGimpsey savours moment

Golf/Walker Cup: As Garth McGimpsey drove across the north of England yesterday to catch a homeward-bound ferry, his job done, he refused to cast his mind forward two years to a time when Britain and Ireland will defend the Walker Cup in Chicago,  Philip Reid reports

After what transpired at Ganton - where his strategy worked to perfection - it would seem inconceivable were he not to be asked to serve a second term as captain for the 2005 engagement but, as was his right, McGimpsey simply wanted to savour the moment without looking ahead.

"I haven't even thought about if I will be captain in two years' time," said McGimpsey, "and I don't know what the situation is. I was asked to be captain of the team for Ganton, that's all, and (with the R&A) they ask you, you don't ask them. I'm not trying to get ahead of myself."

A decision on the captaincy for Chicago is unlikely to be announced until next year, according to an R&A spokesman. But, given recent tradition (the six previous captains all served for two terms), it would seem inevitable that McGimpsey will be asked to carry on in the role as Britain and Ireland enjoys its greatest ever spell in the competition.

The 12½-11½ win over the United States was a history-making third successive win for Britain and Ireland in the biannual duel and the fourth time from the last five matches that they have won.

Given that the Americans have won 31 of the 39 matches, that marks a rather dramatic turnaround - and McGimpsey, who proved to be an excellent captain, was quick to give credit to the influence of Peter McEvoy, the captain of the previous two winning teams at Nairn (1999) and Sea Island, Georgia (2001) for the change.

"There is something about the McEvoy factor. Peter's a very inspirational man and he had a good squad of players, very strong teams, in achieving those wins. Guys like Luke Donald, Paul Casey, Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey.

"I'd say we did it (this time) with less star names but it was a very solid team. No stone was left unturned in ensuring that the team was ready."

In fact, the Britain and Ireland squad - comprising up to 30 players - paid two training visits to Ganton before the 10-man team was selected and, after it was announced, paid a further visit to the Yorkshire course.

Last week, McGimpsey made sure they were not over-golfed. While the Americans played Lytham and Birkdale before travelling to Ganton where they played two practice rounds on each of the first two days, the Britain and Ireland team - already familiar with the course - were kept under close wraps by McGimpsey.

"I thought we were fresher going into the last afternoon," he admitted, when the home team took five and half points from a possible eight to overturn a two-point deficit and win the trophy, adding: "I felt the Americans ran out of steam.

"I am still in shock at what was done to that American team (in the singles). It was a major feat to beat them and it tops anything I've achieved in the game.

"To be captain of those 10 guys, to get them through the win, it multiplies anything I've done by 10," insisted McGimpsey.

Not surprisingly, McGimpsey was pleased with how his positioning of players in the final singles worked out.

"It's always nice when your plans come together," he said.

The fast start was delivered by Oliver Wilson and Gary Wolstenholme in the top two matches, but it was his decision to put Michael Skelton at number three - he also won - that was a major tactical coup.

"He really delivered the goods," remarked McGimpsey.

The two Irish players, Colm Moriarty and Noel Fox, had disappointing performances - results-wise - but at least could savour the fact they were part of a winning Walker Cup team and, in the end, the one point they did pick up - in Saturday's foursomes - was an important one.

"The two played fantastic in Saturday's foursomes, then Noel just went off the boil a wee bit, started hitting it a bit left . . . Colm played well but just ran up against it in his first singles match when the American (Chris Nallen) drained a number of putts. But I felt Colm played very well and there is very little wrong with his game, it is in good shape."

In fact, McGimpsey said he would probably pay a visit to Clandeboye later this week where Moriarty is making his professional debut in the Benmore Developments Northern Ireland Masters. The Athlone man is currently in discussion with "a couple" of different management companies and hopes to make a decision over the next few days.

"My plan is to play in the first stage of qualifying for the European Tour in two weeks' time and, hopefully, I will also manage to pick up some sponsor's invites," he said.

Fox also plans to visit the first stage of tour school but his focus will be on the amateur game for the next two weeks as he plays for Portmarnock in the Irish Senior Cup finals at Lisburn later this week and plays for Ireland in the Home Internationals at Ballybunion next week.