Dean Robertson will continue as Captain of Great Britain and Ireland for the 51st Walker Cup match against the United States of America at Lahinch next year.
Robertson, Head of Golf at the University of Stirling took charge of the team for the first time in the 17-9 defeat at Cypress Point last month, with GB&I trailing by only a point going into the ten closing singles matches before the USA dominated.
The Scot’s meticulous work behind-the-scenes and strong rapport developed with the players helped secure the backing for a second stint as Captain.
Robertson, who is also a highly regarded coach to a number of amateur players both on the college circuit in America and domestically within GB&I, will now aim to halt the USA’s run of five straight wins and secure a first GB&I victory in the match since 2015 when it is contested over the Irish links from 5-6 September.
The 55-year-old said, “I am proud to accept the honor of captaining Great Britain and Ireland again in the Walker Cup at Lahinch.
“Leading a talented group of players at Cypress Point this year was a huge privilege and while we produced strong foursomes performances, the singles showed us the improvement and belief needed to achieve victory.
“I am committed to captaining the team with drive and determination over the iconic links of Lahinch. The focus will be to build on this year’s performance with the goal of winning back the Walker Cup next year.”
Robertson represented GB&I in the Walker Cup in 1993 and then turned professional that year. He went on to win the Italian Open in 1999 with a one-shot victory over Pádraig Harrington, made four appearances in The Open and represented Scotland in the World Cup in 1999 and 2001.
His appointment for this year’s match marked a new era for the GB&I side, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from his successful amateur and professional career.
In other international matches in 2026, Catriona Matthew OBE captains GB&I in the 44th Curtis Cup at Bel-Air in Los Angeles, California from 12-14 June – aiming for another team triumph after leading her side to success at Sunningdale last year.
The change to a biennial schedule in even-numbered years starting in 2026 for both the Curtis Cup and the Walker Cup has been made to avoid conflicts with the World Amateur Team Championships, which moved to odd-numbered years in 2023.
Niall MacSweeney has been appointed as Captain of GB&I’s Jacques Léglise Trophy team at boys’ level next year, while Becca Hembrough leads the GB&I girls’ team for the Junior Vagliano Trophy.
MacSweeney was Ireland’s Men’s Team Captain from 2022 to 2024 and previously was an Irish Men’s Selector from 2012. Hembrough, a former England junior internationalist, spent over a decade as Performance Manager for the female program at England Golf (2012-2024). She also recently contributed to the Arnold Palmer Cup International selection committee (2022-2024).
The Island in Ireland hosts the Jacques Léglise Trophy and the Junior Vagliano Trophy from 21-22 August.
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