Nathaniel Crosby, who guided the United States to a dramatic comeback victory in the Walker Cup last month at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, will return as captain for 2021 matches, the United States Golf Association announced.
The 48th Walker Cup will be played on May 8-9, 2021, at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla.
The 57-year-old Crosby, who is the son of famed entertainer Bing Crosby and grew up in Pebble Beach and Hillsborough, captured 1981 U.S. Amateur Championship, was low amateur in the 1982 U.S. Open Championship and was a member of U.S. teams that won the 1983 Walker Cup and the 1982 World Amateur Team Championship.
“The 2019 Walker Cup experience was an unbelievable journey from start to finish, and I am honored to be allowed to once again guide an outstanding group of young men in 2021,” Crosby said.
“As a member of the 1983 Walker Cup Team, I formed bonds and created friendships that have lasted a lifetime. I hope that I have left this year’s players with that same sense of excitement and honor, and I look forward to passing it on to our next group of players.”
Said Chairman Stuart Francis of the USGA Championship Committee: “Nathaniel’s previous Walker Cup experience and guidance proved to be the right mix to lead the 2019 team to victory. Our players experienced life lessons from a true gentleman and competitor and we are excited to have him lead the team again at Seminole.”
Great Britain and Ireland took a 7-5 lead on the first day of the matches at Royal Liverpool last month, but the U.S. started its rally with a 2-1-1 margin in morning foursomes on the last day.
Then Stewart Hagestad of Newport Beach and Isaiah Salinda of South San Francisco and Stanford won their matches as the Americans United States claimed eight of 10 singles points to claim a 15½ to 10½ victory.
“I honestly thought that these guys would let their talent come to the surface,” Crosby said afterward. “ … The singles were amazing. The guys played great. These guys are inseparable and they’ve got a great memory now.
“This Walker Cup experience is going to be a memory, and a winning memory at that. … I’m really excited. I haven’t won anything in about 38 years.”
The U.S. team won in the United Kingdom for the first time since 2007 and leads, 37-9-1, in the biennial event. The U.S. also won, 19-7, two years ago at Los Angeles Golf Club.
