Team USA takes International King's Cup

August 12, 2021 | by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com

Courtesy of United States Golf Challenge

Americans win for the first time on Irish soil in the annual competition held in honor of Arnold Palmer

Winning for the first time on Irish soil, Team USA dominated singles play at Glasson Golf Club in Athlone, Ireland to retain the International King’s Cup played annually in honor of Mr. Arnold Palmer.

After two days of intermittent rain, 16 singles matches were contested on a blustery, dry day. Going into the day with a 56-point deficit, Team Ireland only needed to win 10% of the 576 points available to even the contest. Team USA won eight of the 15 singles matches while one was halved, earning enough points to win the Cup.

Team USA got off to a strong start, going 5-1-2 in the tightly contested four-ball matches. Seven of the eight matches went to at least the 17th hole, while David Conyers and his wife Dr. Jill Kostick closed out the father-son team of John and Edmond Ryan on the 16th hole.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my teammates. I also couldn’t be prouder of our Irish counterparts!," Conyers wrote on Facebook. “The spirit of the competition was exactly as it’s named for, The King, Arnold Palmer.”

The Americans increased their lead on the second day, going 5-2-1 in foursomes.

The Senior A team of Curt Faas, Litchfield, Ill., and Wayne Franklin, Abilene, Tex., led the American charge, contributing 42 net points over the course of the three days.

This year’s Spirit of Arnie award, which is given to the player on either team who best represents the spirit of Mr. Palmer, is Eddie Neer of Novelty, Ohio.

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.

The 3-day competition replicates the format of the Ryder Cup®. Eight 2-person teams from two age divisions and 4 flights will compete in match play in Foursomes, Four-ball, and Singles.

Team USA 2022 will be selected at the USGC King’s Cup National Championship, Oct. 11-13 at The Hermitage, Nashville Tennessee. The last USGC National Qualifier is the Music City Challenge presented by the American Heartland Tour, Sept. 19-21.

International King’s Cup Results

Day 1 Fourball:Team USA 154, Team Ireland 134
Day 2 Foursomes: Team USA, 163, Team Ireland 125
Day 3 Singles:Team USA 302, Team Ireland 274

Total: Team USA 619, Team Ireland 533

About the International King's Cup

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 Qualifyin...

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