Nathaniel Crosby has been selected captain of the United States team for the 2019 Walker Cup Match against Great Britain and Ireland at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.
The 56-year-old Crosby, of Jupiter, Fla., is the son of legendary entertainer Bing Crosby.
“I am thrilled and overwhelmed to be chosen captain of the next USA Walker Cup team,” said Crosby, the 1981 U.S. Amateur champion who is a native of Hillsborough, Calif. “It will again be a privilege to be a part of the Walker Cup competition that I was so fortunate to be a part of back in 1983.
“My experiences with the USGA, the Walker Cup Match and the World Amateur Team Championship have proved to be the most memorable weeks of my life, as I am sure it will be for the members of the 2019 Team. Many of my closest friends are former captains who will hopefully take the time to share their approaches in an effort to help me with my new responsibilities.”
Crosby was a member of victorious U.S. teams in the 1983 Walker Cup and the 1982 World Amateur Team Championship.
He also is the godson is World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Burke Jr., who won the 1956 Masters and PGA Championship in addition to serving as captain of two USA Ryder Cup teams.
“Nathaniel Crosby has proven experience as an amateur player at the highest levels in both individual and team competition, and this will lend itself well to providing leadership for the USA Walker Cup Team in 2019,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman.
“His father earned the USGA’s highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, and I know Nathaniel possesses similar traits, including sportsmanship, patriotism and a competitive spirit, that will assist him as captain.”
The 47th edition of the Walker Cup will be played on Sept. 7-8, 2019, at Royal Liverpool, which hosted the 1983 Walker Cup Match won by the United States, 13½-10½.
The U.S. defeated Great Britain and Ireland, 19-7, in the 2017 Walker Cup Match on the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club and holds a 36-9 margin in the matches, which are held every two years.
Crosby, who was 19 in 1981, rallied from 4-down to Brian Lindley with 10 holes remaining to win the U.S. Amateur with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 37th hole at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
He followed that victory by winning the 1982 Porter Cup and was low amateur in the 1982 U.S. Open, finishing 59th at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
