Great Britain & Ireland
Scotland’s Dean ROBERTSON, 55 (d.o.b. 11th July 1970), was appointed GB&I men’s captain by The R&A on 15th February 2024 following an application and interview process conducted by The R&A’s Amateur Championship Committee.
He is the first professional golfer to take charge of the GB&I Walker Cup team.
With a P3 W1 L2 captaincy record in 2024-25 The R&A are still to confirm whether he will be in charge of GB&I for the 2026 Walker Cup match at Lahinch G.C. in Ireland.
Dean Robertson (Photo: University of Stirling)
Robertson began his two-year term by captaining GB&I against the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy match at Royal Porthcawl G.C. on 25th-26th July 2024. A match GB&I lost 16.0-9.0.
He again led GB&I in the St. Andrews Trophy match at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Spain on 24th-25th July 2025. This time GB&I secured a solid 16.5-8.5 victory.
GB&I lost the 50th Walker Cup match 17.0-9.0 at Cypress Point on 6th-7th September 2025 playing well in the Foursomes but struggling badly in the Singles.
As a former Walker Cup player (1993: P3 W1 H0 L2), the long standing High Performance Golf Coach at the University of Stirling and the captain of the European team at the 2009 Arnold Palmer Cup he brings an impressive amateur playing and coaching resume to the position.
Robertson said “To have the honour of captaining Great Britain and Ireland is something I could not have imagined but it is one that I am thrilled about. I very much look forward to working closely with the players for the matches ahead with an important focus on being well prepared and playing to win.”
Robertson has invited Raymond Russell, who was a Walker Cup teammate in 1993, and Kath O’Connor, a Welsh International and Callaway Next Generation representative, to assist him during his term of office. Leaving no stone unturned Robertson’s Stirling colleague Dr. John Mathers has helped with mental skills and Amy O’Donnell will be the team’s performance nutritionist. The R&A’s Euan Mordaunt will again manage the team.
United States of America
On 9th March 2022 the USGA announced the selection of Nathan Smith as USA Team captain for the 2025 Walker Cup match to be played at Cypress Point G.C. He led the USA team to a 17.0-9.0 win on the Monterey Peninsula.
On 4th November 2024 the USGA confirmed that Smith would continue in his role for the 2026 match at Lahinch G.C. in Ireland.
Nathan Smith at the 2013 Walker Cup (Photo: USGA)
Nathan SMITH, 47 (d.o.b. 16th August 1978), is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He played in the 2009, 2011 and 2013 Walker Cup matches and has a W3, L4 H1 playing record in the event.
Smith is also a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion having won the title in 2003, 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Following his original appointment Smith said “I am ecstatic at the opportunity to lead this team at such a historic and storied venue.”
As is now a tradition a USA Captain’s Dinner was held in Florida in early March 2025.
USA Captain’s Dinner (Photo: Nathan Smith)
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Historically, both the Royal & Ancient (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.) have selected their respective captains strictly from the world of amateur golf and almost exclusively from the pool of former Walker Cup players.
Scotland’s Dean Robertson was the first professional to be appointed captain by either side and followed in the footsteps of compatriot Catriona Matthew who took charge of the victorious GB&I Curtis Cup team in 2024 and who has been retained for 2026.
ME.
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