Concession Cup to be hosted in Europe for the first time

The Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) has announced that the Real Club Valderrama in Spain will play host to the 2021 Concession Cup. The biennial matches between mid-amateurs and seniors from GB&I and the United States has previously been played at The Concession Club in Florida. Next year’s matches will include players from continental Europe combined with players from GB&I to make up Team Europe. The tentative dates scheduled for November 15-21, 2021 pending final approval of the European Tour schedule for 2021. Alan Fadel, president of the AGA, stated, “For the matches to continue to be a significant reward for top amateurs around the world we needed to take them overseas. To have the support of the EGU and of a special club like Valderrama, will make for a very special experience for all involved.”

The Concession Cup teams are made up of 14 members each with six (6) mid-Ams, six (6) seniors, age 55 & older and two (2) super seniors age 65 and older. Created by supporters of amateur golf and operated by the AGA, The Concession Cup is designed to celebrate the game through international competition while giving back to many worthy causes.

“The concession  of a  three foot putt  by Jack Nicklaus to Tony Jacklin to halve their singles match and tie the overall match at the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale, is  one of the greatest sporting gestures of all time” commented Nuno Pereira Machado, President of Real Club Valderrama, site of the 1997 Ryder Cup. He adds, “We are very excited to host the fourth edition of the Concession Cup in 2021, with some of the finest amateurs from Europe and the United States at our Club in honor of that great moment.”

This year’s event will add a new component with the addition of the Trophy Cup Matches, which will honor a significant contributor to the game. These matches will coincide with the Concession Cup and bring ten (10) players from the USA and ten (10) players from Europe to support the matches and compete at Valderrama. Players will play in similar format and be part of all the tournament festivities.

Concession Cup team members for both squads will make the team via a points system established by top finishes in designated major amateur events in the U.S. and Europe, along with a select number of captain’s picks. Captains for each team will be announced later this year along with the full points list.