Thursday Notebook: Thompson Looks Forward To Format Change

By Beth Murrison, USGA

St. Andrews, Scotland – For USA Captain Carol Semple Thompson, the hardest decision she had to make during the 2006 Curtis Cup Match at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort was deciding which two players would sit during the Sunday afternoon singles matches.

She won’t face that difficult choice again this year.

This year’s Match is the first of the new three-day format which will includes four-ball (best ball) matches for the first time. The two sides will play three foursomes (alternate shot) and three four-ball matches on Friday and Saturday, and then all eight players for both teams will play singles matches on Sunday.

“I think it’s a fine idea,” said Thompson of the Match’s extension to three days. “It’s such a big build-up to the Match and for two days, it seems to go so quickly. I very much like the idea of being able to play all my players in the singles round on Sunday.”

Previously, each team was playing for a total of 18 points – three fousomes and six singles matches each day.

Who’s The Favorite?

Thompson is well-known as a seven-time USGA champion and 12-time Curtis Cupper for the USA. But the Sewickley, Pa., native is equally well-known for her modest approach to things, which is why it was no surprise to hear her answer when asked during a press conference which team would be considered the favorite.

Alison Walshe will have support from both sides of the pond at the Curtis Cup. (John Mummert/USGA)

“Well, I would certainly think the U.S. would be favored,” said Thompson with a laugh. “No, I don't know. I think it'll be a great contest. I think that the Old Course will be a challenge for us; these new shots that we're learning and forcing ourselves to play will be definitely a challenge. I know they're saying it's fun now, but under pressure it's a little more difficult. But I think it should be a well-contested Match.”

“I think we're probably pretty even in terms of some similar talent. The GB&I team may have a little bit of an advantage playing links golf, but I think we can certainly give them a good battle.”

GB&I captain Mary McKenna, herself a nine-time Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cupper who was a member of the 1986 team that was the first to win on American soil, is confident her team is prepared to win its first Curtis Cup Match since 1996.

“I do believe that we will, yes,” said McKenna. “We're not under any illusions that it's going to be a cake walk because it's St. Andrews, because it's local and everything. The Americans are good players and we know that. They have a lot of experience, even though they're young. We're aware of that, as well, but we are quietly confident, yes.”

The Irish-American Girl A Big Hit

The story of Alison Walshe is always of interest to American golf journalists for her unusual college path. Walshe, a 22-year-old from Westford, Mass., who started her collegiate career at Boston College, transferred to Tulane University after a year to play in a warmer climate, only to see that program fold in the wake of Hurricane Katina. Now at the University of Arizona, Walshe has earned the unusual trifecta of first-team honors in three different conferences (Big East, Conference USA and the Pacific-10). She completed her college eligibility at last week’s NCAA Division I Women’s Championship in Albuquerque, N.M.

But the United Kingdom scribes were also quite intrigued with Walshe during her visit to the media center Thursday. Walshe was actually born in Galway, Ireland and lived in the country for five years before her family moved to the States after her father was transferred. Walshe answered several questions from the local media about her beginnings in Ireland.

Walshe said she’s proud to hail from Ireland, but is now firmly an American.

“My whole background and my family, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone is very Irish, and Boston is very Irish, and I'm proud of my Irish heritage, but obviously I am playing for the U.S., and I feel strongly about that,” said Walshe, who said playing for the GB&I team was not an option despite her dual citizenship.

Several of Walshe’s Irish family members have traveled to Scotland via ferry to watch her in the Match.

 “They have kind of mixed feelings, because they're on the Irish side as well as the U.S. side,” said Walshe with a laugh. “But it means something to have everybody here.”

Scottish Youngster Back On Course

The last time the Curtis Cup Match was played on this side of the pond, the 14-year-old wunderkind was the USA’s Michelle Wie. This time, it’s a player representing the Great Britain and Ireland side.

At 15, Carly Booth of Scotland is the youngest player in GB&I history. Booth didn’t play on Tuesday or Wednesday due to illness, but was feeling much better and was back on the course Thursday.

McKenna said the break might have provided an extra benefit in addition to keeping out of the blustery St. Andrews weather.

“It wasn't even so much the rest, but I think it kept her away from the media a little bit,” said McKenna. “You know, she's only 15, and it's a huge drag on her from media and from everybody. And the fact that she didn't have that for two days, she comes back now raring to go, and she'll be ready for the week.”

Beth Murrison is a manager in media relations for the USGA. E-mail her with questions or comments at bmurrison@usga.org.