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1978

Leon Spinks takes title from Ali on decision

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The United States won the 20th International Match for the Curtis Cup for its 16th victory in the series, which began in 1932. Great Britain and Ireland have won twice, and two Matches have ended in ties. The United States won, 12- 6, at the Apawamis Club, in Rye, N.Y. The Match was much closer than the final score indicated, because the individual matches were very competitive. Seven of the 18 matches were decided on the 18th green. Of those seven, Americans won four and halved the other three, which proved to be the deciding factor. Great Britain and Ireland won two of the first three foursomes matches on the first day and halved the third for an early 2 ½- ½ lead. In the afternoon, the United States won four of the six singles matches and halved one other. Miss Beth Daniel, Miss Cynthia Hill, Mrs. Judith Oliver, and Miss Lancy Smith all won. Only Miss Mary Everard won a point for Great Britain and Ireland, while Miss Carolyn Hill, for the United States, and Mrs. Carole Caldwell, halved their match. The first day ended with the United States holding a 5- 4 lead.

On the second day, the United States won all three foursomes matches to increase its lead to 8- 4. The Americans needed just two points from the six afternoon singles matches for a victory. When Miss Daniel defeated Miss Mary McKenna, 2 and 1, in the first singles match, the United States needed just one more point to win. Miss Pat Cornett, although off late in the fourth match, supplied that point by defeating Mrs. Caldwell, 3 and 2. After Miss Cornett closed out her match, the United States won one and halved two of the four remaining matches. Miss Muriel Thomson, of Great Britain- Ireland, defeated Miss Carolyn Hill in the other. All eight American players contributed at least one point to the victory. Mrs. Helen Sigel Wilson, runner- up in both the 1941 and 1948 Women's Amateur Championships and a member of the 1950 and 1966 Curtis Cup teams, was the non- playing Captain of the United States Team. Mrs. Carol Comboy, Chairman of the British Selection Committee, was the non- playing Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland side.

 
Championship Facts

Curtis Cup Match

PAR AND YARDAGE – The Old Course at St. Andrews will be set up at 6,638 yards and par is 36-36—72.

GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT – The Old Course was not designed by an architect but has evolved over six centuries. Golf was first played over the Old Course in the early 1400s.

THE OLD COURSE AT ST. ANDREWS HOLE-BY-HOLE: Total: 6,638 yards, par 72

SCHEDULE OF PLAY – On May 30 and May 31 there will be three foursomes and three four-ball matches. On June 1 there will be eight singles matches (18 holes each).

Starting Times
Friday: 8 a.m. for foursomes; 12:15 p.m. for four-balls
Saturday: 8 a.m. for foursomes; 12:15 p.m. for four-balls
Sunday: 10 a.m. for singles

The 2008 Match will be the first year for the three-day format. The four-ball matches will be new to the Curtis Cup.

WHAT IS THE CURTIS CUP MATCH? – The Curtis Cup Match is contested by women amateur golfers, one team from the United States of America (USA) and one team from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (GB&I). The teams consist of not more than eight players and a captain. The Match is conducted every two years, alternately in the United States and Great Britain/Ireland.

FOURSOME – A match where two players compete against two other players in alternate-shot format, with each side playing just one ball.

FOUR-BALL – A match in which two players (side) play their better ball against the better ball of the two other players (side).

SINGLES – A match in which one player plays against another.

SCORING – A victory in each match scores one point. In the event a match goes 18 holes without a decision, one-half point is awarded to each side.

OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES – The flag raising ceremony will be held at the Old Course at St. Andrews at 6 p.m. on May 29. The closing ceremony will be held immediately following play Sunday. Both events are open to the public.

ADMISSION – For more information about tickets, click here.

 

 

 


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