Amateur Golf Podcast: 2023 Walker Cup captain Mike McCoy
7/29/2023 | by Sean Melia of AmateurGolf.com
The Iowa Golf Hall of Famer has played in more than 60 USGA events
Mike McCoy’s resume would take too long to read through in its entirety. The Iowa Golf Hall of Famer has played in more than 60 USGA events. In his 38th USGA appearance McCoy won the 2013 US Mid-Am, which opened a plethora of doors for the already decorated golfer.
He played in The Masters and was also named to the 2015 Walker Cup team. McCoy’s excellence across many decades earned him the honor of captaining the 2023 Walker Cup team. The event at St. Andrews is fast approaching, and McCoy was kind enough to talk with us about his experience playing in the Walker Cup and what the role of captain entails.
HIGHLIGHTS
On his tournament mentality: I played a lot. It was a little different then. The WAGR wasn't really around. The attitude was to play as much as you can and don't worry if you have a bad tournament. We ran the gauntlet: The Sunnehanna, The Northeast, The Porter Cup. I played in everything I could play in to break out of the pack and demonstrate I was in good form and deserving of a spot.
On his experience hitting the first shot of the 2015 Walker Cup: I was given the great honor of hitting the first tee shot for the USA in the 2015 match. The flag goes up that morning and they play the national anthem and you get a lump in your throat. I was lucky enough to have a lot of friends at that first tee. A lot of family. You can't help but be moved at that moment.
He played in The Masters and was also named to the 2015 Walker Cup team. McCoy’s excellence across many decades earned him the honor of captaining the 2023 Walker Cup team. The event at St. Andrews is fast approaching, and McCoy was kind enough to talk with us about his experience playing in the Walker Cup and what the role of captain entails.
On his tournament mentality: I played a lot. It was a little different then. The WAGR wasn't really around. The attitude was to play as much as you can and don't worry if you have a bad tournament. We ran the gauntlet: The Sunnehanna, The Northeast, The Porter Cup. I played in everything I could play in to break out of the pack and demonstrate I was in good form and deserving of a spot.
On his experience hitting the first shot of the 2015 Walker Cup: I was given the great honor of hitting the first tee shot for the USA in the 2015 match. The flag goes up that morning and they play the national anthem and you get a lump in your throat. I was lucky enough to have a lot of friends at that first tee. A lot of family. You can't help but be moved at that moment.
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