5 things you need to know about the Curtis Cup
The Curtis Cup is arguably the most prestigious tournament in women’s amateur golf and many well-known players have taken part over the years, including two-time Solheim Cup winner and captain Catriona Matthew, Dame Laura Davies, Stacy Lewis, Lexi Thompson, Georgia Hall and Charley Hull.
GB&I are looking to win the famous trophy for the first time since 2016, when the home team last won, beating the USA 11½ to 8½ in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, and they are led by a fantastic captain.
Catriona Matthew, who led Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup victories, will captain GB&I to usher in a new era when matches are played on the Old Course at Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire from August 30 to September 1.
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“I’m really looking forward to the game at Sunningdale. We have selected eight players who we believe give us the best chance of regaining the Curtis Cup against the United States of America on home soil.
“This role means a lot to me. When I was an amateur golfer, my main goal was always to be included in the Curtis Cup team. I was lucky enough to be there three times.
“With all my experience as a Solheim Cup professional, player and captain, I relished the chance to return to where it all began. I’m really looking forward to leading the team at Sunningdale.”
The Curtis Cup holds a special place in the heart of American captain Meghan Stasi because she met her future husband Danny the day she learned she had made the U.S. team for the 2008 match at St. Andrews. When the match was over, Danny proposed to Meghan on the Swilcan Bridge.
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The four-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion said, “This has been a long time coming. I was announced (as captain) almost two years ago, so you’re just waiting for it to happen… and now it’s happening.”
“The girls are very mature – they may be a little younger, but I’ve been able to watch them and see how mature they are. They’ve travelled abroad a lot and are very independent and I think they’ll bring that to their game. It’s just going to be an exciting week.”
Having played on the amateur tour myself in my teens and early twenties, I have seen many friends get called up to the national team for their country and to be named to the Curtis Cup team is truly an honour. Unfortunately, as with so many amateur golf events, they rarely get mentioned. These women are not playing for financial rewards, they are playing for pride and to showcase their talent after hours of practice and they really deserve recognition. So let’s support the teams and show them some support.
Curtis Cup History
The Curtis Cup is almost a century old! Golf sisters Harriot and Margaret Curtis founded the trophy in 1927 to encourage a regular series of matches between teams from America and Great Britain and to strengthen international friendships in the world of women’s golf.
The inscription on the trophy read: “To promote friendly rivalry among female golfers from many countries.” Discussions had been going on between various golf associations since 1924, and the sisters donated the trophy to further those discussions. However, it was not until 1931 that the USGA and LGU agreed to jointly sponsor the event.
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The first game organized by the USGA and LGU took place in May 1932 at Wentworth Golf Club in England and was won by the American team.
The Curtis Cup has been held every two years since then. The format consists of three foursomes and three fourball matches on each of the first two days and eight singles matches on the last day.
The top five players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and three selected players make up the GB&I team, while the US team consists of the top three players in the WAGR and five captain’s selections.
Controversies surrounding the Curtis Cup
There have been, let’s say, some controversial decisions in the history of the Curtis Cup selection.
In 2012, budding teen superstar Charley Hull was initially controversially left off the team for failing to attend a tryout and team-building session at Nairn. Hull had withdrawn from the tryout after receiving an invitation to the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Tour’s first major of the season.
The LGU selection committee eventually lifted its ban to allow her to participate in the Curtis Cup, but left out another rising star, Lisa Maguire. The whole fiasco did not reflect well on her or the selection process.
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Most recently in 2022, leading amateur Lottie Woad was excluded from the team as one of the Curtis Cup contenders, despite winning the 2022 R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship.
Two years later, Woad proved those doubters wrong by winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April. That win catapulted her into pole position as the world’s No. 1 female amateur (WAGR). It goes without saying that Woad earned her spot on the team this time around.
The road to professional fame
For many women, the Curtis Cup is the last tournament they compete in as amateurs, and there are some very famous names who have gone on to become professional stars.
In 2004, Michelle Wie, then aged 14, played for the USA, becoming the youngest player in Curtis Cup history, winning both of her singles matches. Six years later, Leona Maguire, aged 15, became the youngest player to represent Great Britain and Ireland.
There have been several notable performances, such as in 2008 when American Stacy Lewis won all five of her matches, a feat matched by Bronte Law in 2016 and Kristen Gillman in 2018.
At 14 years old, Michelle Wie is the youngest player in the history of the Curtis Cup
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However, there are also some outstanding amateurs who have chosen to remain amateurs rather than turn professional. One of them is GB&I Curtis Cup star Maria Dunne.
The decorated Irish international was 32 when she retired from amateur sport in 2017. Before that, she had prestigious titles such as the Irish Women’s Stroke Play Championship to her name.
“When I played the Curtis Cup in 2016, I knew it was the pinnacle of my playing career. I had no intention of turning professional. I was happy with that decision. I was the only amateur from the two teams who didn’t want to turn professional. Since then, 15 players have turned professional, but I was always happy with that. I was a bit older, had more responsibilities, worked full time on the driving range in Kinsealy, juggled long hours with training and wanted to have children. I retired with no regrets whatsoever.”
Team members
GB&I Team
Sara Byrne, Ireland, Douglas, 23
Beth Coulter, Ireland, Kirkistown Castle, 20
Hannah Darling, Scotland, Broomieknowe, 21
Aine Donegan, Ireland, Lahinch, 22
Lorna McClymont, Scotland, Milngavie, 23
Euphemy Rhodes, England, Burnham & Berrow, 22
Patience Rhodes, England, Burnham & Berrow, 20
Lottie Woad, England, Farnham, 20
GB&I Team Captain: Catriona Matthew
Megan Schofill of the USA tees off during a practice round for the 2024 Curtis Cup match
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USA team
Zoe Campos, 21, Valencia, California
Jasmine Koo, 18, Cerritos, California
Catherine Park, 20, Irvine, California
Anna Davis, 18, of Spring Valley, California
Melanie Green, 22, of Medina, NY
Rachel Kuehn, 23, of Asheville, NC
Megan Schofill, 23, of Monticello, Florida
Asterisk Talley, 15, of Chowchilla, California
Captain of the US team: Meghan Stasi
How can I watch the Curtis Cup?
The Curtis Cup is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the future stars of women’s tennis.
A general admission ticket for all three match days costs £44 and young people (0-15 years) get in free with the purchase of an adult or youth ticket. Adult day tickets cost just £22.
The opening ceremony will take place at Sunningdale Golf Club on Thursday 29 August at 5pm and entry is free, no ticket is required.
Visit www.tickets.randa.org to purchase tickets for the event.
