Preview: The 50th Walker Cup at Cypress Point — A Monterey Peninsula Showdown
What’s at Stake?
This fall’s 50th Walker Cup, set for September 6–7, 2025 at the storied Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California, represents a homecoming unlike any other. More than four decades since the amateur showdown last graced this stunning venue in 1981, the match is returning to where tradition, scenery, and top-tier amateur golf converge.
The Walker Cup is one of golf’s most revered events—pitting the top male amateurs from the United States against their counterparts from Great Britain & Ireland in a two-day, match-play battle. This edition marks a rare moment: Cypress Point hosting a major competition, with the U.S. looking to maintain its recent dominance.
Team Lineups & Championship Format
Team USA
Captain Nathan Smith, a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur winner and 2013 Walker Cup hero, leads a formidable squad, including world No. 1 Jackson Koivun, No. 2 Ben James, US Amateur champion Mason Howell, and seasoned amateur Stewart Hagestad, making his fifth Walker Cup appearance.
Team GB&I
Helmed by Dean Robertson, GB&I fields a talented lineup featuring promising names like Tyler Weaver, Connor Graham, Cameron Adam, and debutant Luke Poulter.
Match Format & Stakes
Over two days, competitors vie in foursomes (alternate shot) in the mornings and singles in the afternoons: eight singles matches Saturday and 10 Sunday. With 26 total points available, the U.S. needs 13 to retain the Cup, while GB&I must capture 13.5 to reclaim it.
Cypress Point: Course of Legends
Designed by the renowned Alister MacKenzie (with Robert Hunter), Cypress Point opened in 1928 and has long been hailed as one of golf’s most breathtaking courses—anchored by dramatic seaside holes and classic routing.
A Brief History
Cypress hosted the Walker Cup once before, in 1981, when the U.S. secured a memorable victory.NCGA BlogUSGA In 2025, its rare inclusion again spotlights its standing among the sport’s elite venues.USGA+1
Signature Holes & Match-Play Magic
Golf Channel and expert commentary emphasize a stunning nine-hole stretch—especially holes 6 through 9—where volatility and strategy fuel match-play excitement. Particularly Hole 9, with a drivable green, offers dramatic risk-reward opportunities. The iconic coastal trio of holes 15–17 (especially the perilous 16th) will attract both player and viewer attention.
Captain Smith calls Cypress “perfect for match play,” praising the course’s balance of beauty and competitive challenge.Amateur Golf
Quick Stats
FeatureDetailsYardage / Par6,620 yards / Par 70RoutingCoastal & forest; signature seaside holesFormatTwo-day match play: foursomes + singlesHistoric NoteFirst Walker Cup at Cypress since 1981
⛳ Embedding Pebble Beach & Spyglass Hill into the Preview
Pebble Beach Golf Links
A stone’s throw from Cypress, Pebble Beach remains an eternal bucket-list icon—known for its small greens, breathtaking views, and role in countless championships.Reddit+1 Its place alongside Cypress adds depth to the Walker Cup narrative: between matches or after the event, visitors can experience Pebble’s legendary charm.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Another gem in the Pebble Beach Company portfolio, Spyglass Hill brings a rugged test, weaving forest and ocean holes into a true championship experience. Fans often debate Spyglass’s difficulty versus Pebble’s view-driven beauty:
“Pebble has history … Spyglass plays much quicker … the difficulty … is twice as hard.”
“The 4th green at Spyglass is comically small! … The size and slopes … are the main defense.”
Positioning Cypress within this trio illustrates the peninsula’s unmatched depth: Pebble’s tradition, Spyglass’s test, and Cypress’s drama combine for an amateur golf feast.
Fan Access & Volunteer Info
Tickets
Public attendance is limited. Tickets—$100 for practice round, $200 per competition day—were distributed via a random selection process; reselling options will open later in summer.USGAGolfweek
Volunteers
Volunteers gain full-course access and must commit to two 6-hour shifts. The USGA provides a branded apparel package and includes food and beverage during shifts.
Why This Walker Cup Matters
An Iconic Venue Returns: Cypress Point is golf architecture come to life—dramatic visuals, storied holes, pristine routing. Few venues combine beauty with strategic depth like this.
Historic Significance: First Walker Cup there since 1981—an overdue return to one of amateur golf’s greatest stages.
Amateur Talent on Display: The best amateurs globally, including world No. 1 Koivun and emerging GB&I standouts, battle in unforgiving match-play.
Broader Pebble Peninsula Context: Mentioning Pebble Beach and Spyglass underscores the area's allure—ensuring the Walker Cup doesn’t stand alone but shines in a constellation of golf experiences.
Fan Engagement: Limited tickets, volunteer opportunities, and rich media coverage (Peacock, Golf Channel) make this an event for both on-site and remote engagement.
Internal Link Suggestions
Learn more about the Walker Cup format (link to blog post on match-play format)
Cypress Point Club history (link to course background article)
Pebble Beach Golf Links: Playing tips & photo spots (link to prior blog post)
Spyglass Hill: Strategy, scorecard, and course features (link to course overview)
Final Take
The 50th Walker Cup at Cypress Point is shaping up to be a cornerstone event in amateur golf history. It combines breathtaking architecture, high-stakes competition, and one of the most dramatic settings in the world. Layering in Pebble Beach’s heritage and Spyglass Hill’s challenge enriches the narrative—making this not just a match preview, but a celebration of the Monterey Peninsula’s golfing crown.
Let me know if you’d like this piece broken into shorter posts, tailored for newsletter format, or paired with visual-rich sections about each course hole.