Team USA gets second-straight King's Cup victory on Irish soil
Players from Teams USA and Ireland show it's all about the camaraderie
Having lost the first three editions of the International King's Cup on Irish soil, Team USA has exacted some measure of revenge and leveled the playing field with their Irish counterparts.
They have now won two consecutive events in Ireland. Team USA recently retained the Cup, but not before surviving a spirited charge by Team Ireland. Going into Day 3 bearing the weight of a seemingly insurmountable 60-point deficit, Team Ireland won seven early matches and tied three more to win the day 292-284. But it wasn't enough to reclaim the King's Cup.
The unique format of the King's Cup awards two points per hole for a win, one point for a half, and zero points for a loss. This allows every match to be played over the entire 18 holes. There are a total of 1152 points available. The final tally was 602-550.
Team USA
The International King’s Cup is an annual competition held in honor of golf’s greatest ambassador – Mr. Arnold Palmer whose Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Commitment to Excellence represent the ideals for which the game of golf is known.
Scott Pitts The Spirit of Arnie award is bestowed upon the player from each team who best exemplifies those ideals. This year's recipients were Scott Pitts, Team USA, and Hugh O'Shaughnessy, Team Ireland.
The 3-day competition replicates the format of the Ryder Cup®. Eight 2-person teams from two age divisions (mid-am and 55+) and 4 flights will compete in match play in Foursomes, Four-ball, and Singles play.
QUALIFYING TO PLAY
Representatives of Team USA are determined by a combination of qualifying events at 20 locations around the country, as well as exemptions which are awarded to top finishers in state and regional golf association four-ball championships, and partner events like the AmateurGolf.com
Two Man Links events at Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley Resorts.
For full results click
HERE.
ABOUT THE UNITED STATES GOLF CHALLENGE
The United States Golf Challenge (USGC™), owned and operated by Medalist Events LLC, is now in its 8th season as America’s sole representative of the International King’s Cup. The USGC will conduct over 20 National Qualifying events around the country with qualifying teams playing in the USGC King's Cup National Championship September 26-28 at The Hermitage in Nashville, TN, culminating in the selection of Team USA for the 2023 International King’s Cup.
ABOUT THE
The International King’s Cup is a Team Match Play
competition currently played every year between an
Irish National team and an American National team.
Additional international teams will compete in the
future.
Teams must advance from Local Qualifying and then
a final National Qualifier.
Each National Team is made up of 2 person teams in
two age Divisions with four Flights per Division. The
Senior Division is for players 55 years of age and
older. The Open Division is for players under 55. A
player 55 or older may play in the Open Division.
Each Division is made up of four flights based on
Team Index. Each flight is as follows. Championship
flight = 4.9 and under, A-flight = 5.0 to 9.9, B-flight
= 10.0 to 14.9, C-flight = 15.0 and above.
The format is a modified team match-play. Each
flight of each team plays every hole in that day’s
format. Day 1 is a best-ball format, Day 2 is modified
alternate shot, Day 3 is singles matches. Each hole is
worth 2 points. Winning a hole is worth 2-points, a
half is worth 1-point and a loss of a hole is worth 0-
points.
At the end of each match each flight totals their
points. When all the flights have finished their
matches the total points from each flight are added
together to form an overall total for the team that
day. The team with the most overall total points after
the 3 days of competition wins the International
King’s Cup. In the event of a tie, the team currently
holding the Cup retains the Cup.
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