Amateurs–Professionals Match

The Amateurs–Professionals Match was an annual men's team golf competition between teams of golfers from Great Britain and Ireland representing amateurs and professionals. It was played from 1956 to 1960. The Professionals won four of the five contests but the Amateurs won in 1958. The match was organised by the R&A and the PGA.[1]

This article is about the golf matches played from 1956 to 1960. For the 1911 match, see 1911 Coronation Match.
Amateurs–Professionals Match
Tournament information
Established1956
FormatTeam match play
Month playedAugust
Final year1960
Final champion
Professionals

History

Two matches between teams of amateurs and professionals had been played in late 1954 and early 1955. The first was a match between the British 1954 Joy Cup team and a team of amateurs in November 1954. The professionals won the foursomes 3–2 but the singles were washed out.[2] The second was a match between the British 1955 Walker Cup team and a team of professionals led by Henry Cotton played in March 1955. The professionals won 10½–4½.[3] In both these matches the professionals conceded a 2-hole start. The idea of an official annual match emerged out of these earlier matches.[1]

The amateurs recorded their only win in 1958. Trailing 3–2 after the foursomes they won 7 of the 10 singles match and halved another. Of the professionals, only Dai Rees and Peter Alliss won their matches while Harry Weetman got a half against Guy Wolstenholme.[4]

Format

The match was contested over two days with 36-hole foursomes on the first day and 36-hole singles matches on the second day. There were 5 foursomes and 10 singles. Matches were played on level terms.

Results
YearDatesVenueWinnersScoreRef
19564–5 AugustRoyal Mid-Surrey Golf ClubProfessionals10–5[5]
19572–3 AugustLindrick Golf ClubProfessionals9–6[6][7]
19588–9 AugustTurnberry, Ailsa CourseAmateurs9½–5½[8][4]
19597–8 AugustSouthport and Ainsdale Golf ClubProfessionals9½–5½[9][10]
19605–6 AugustPrestwick Golf ClubProfessionals11–4[11][12]

Appearances

The following are those who played in at least one of the five matches.

Amateurs

Professionals

References
  1. "Addition to fixture list". The Times. 5 October 1955. p. 13.
  2. "Professionals' narrow win – Foursomes golf trial". The Glasgow Herald. 11 November 1954. p. 4.
  3. "Walker Cup players fare better in singles – Need for more practice in foursomes". The Glasgow Herald. 28 March 1955. p. 11.
  4. "Welcome success of Amateurs – Splendid recovery in singles". The Glasgow Herald. 11 August 1958. p. 12.
  5. "Impressive play by Scottish amateurs – Professional team's victory". The Glasgow Herald. 6 August 1956. p. 4.
  6. "Professionals lead in Lindrick match – Splendid play by R R Jack". The Glasgow Herald. 3 August 1957. p. 9.
  7. "Brown ten under fours for thirty-two holes – Amateur-Professional match". The Glasgow Herald. 5 August 1957. p. 8.
  8. "Professionals just win foursomes – Ryder Cup stars trounced by Carr and Sewell". The Glasgow Herald. 9 August 1958. p. 7.
  9. "Amateurs beaten 4-1 in foursomes – Poor day for three Scots". The Glasgow Herald. 8 August 1959. p. 7.
  10. "Professionals win at Southport – Only one Scottish success". The Glasgow Herald. 10 August 1959. p. 6.
  11. "Professionals' good lead in foursomes – Amateurs win top match". The Glasgow Herald. 6 August 1960. p. 5.
  12. "Professionals' big win at Prestwick – Seven singles victories". The Glasgow Herald. 8 August 1960. p. 3.
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