The 2020 Arnold Palmer Cup has been postponed to December with matches to be played at Bay Hill Club & Lodge Dec. 21-23 and Lahinch now to host in 2024
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arnold Palmer Cup originally scheduled for July 3-5, at Lahinch Golf Club will be postponed, and the 2020 playing of this event rescheduled to take place at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge on December 21-23, 2020. The matches will return to Bay Hill Club, host of the inaugural playing of the Arnold Palmer Cup in 1997. Lahinch Golf Club will now host in 2024.
Mindful of the difficult and challenging time for everyone coping with the effects of this pandemic, it is hoped that rescheduling to December will allow the matches to be played in 2020. The guidance of leading public health authorities will dictate any further changes to the schedule, with this competition only taking place if it is safe and responsible to do so.
Renowned for having been the winter home of Arnold Palmer, Bay Hill Club & Lodge combines world-class golf in an exclusive club setting. The Par 72, 7,381 yard Championship Course sweeps across 270 acres along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes. Since 1979, Bay Hill has been home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, one of the most popular tournaments on the PGA Tour. Arnold Palmer Cup alumni Francesco Molinari (2019) and Matt Every (2014-15) have claimed victory at Mr. Palmer’s tournament.
Amy Palmer Saunders commented, “We look forward to welcoming the top men and women collegiate golfers to Bay Hill. My father would have wanted to find a way to honor their excellence in these unprecedented times and hosting the rescheduled Arnold Palmer Cup at Bay Hill will be a fitting way to do so. While we are disappointed not to visit Lahinch this summer, we are thrilled that Lahinch has agreed to host in 2024.
“The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, which carries on the legacy of my parent’s philanthropic initiatives, and conducts the Arnold Palmer Cup with the GCAA, WGCA and Foundation partners Rolex and Nike, is so appreciative of their support during these trying times, as well as The R&A and USGA. We are also especially grateful for our collaboration with Lahinch Golf Club, its members and the Lahinch community, and their collective support for the Arnold Palmer Cup. We anticipate a wonderful Palmer Cup in 2024.”
Lahinch Golf Club was founded in 1892 and is consistently ranked in the top 50 golf courses in the world. Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris, the services of Dr. Alister MacKenzie were retained in 1926 to redesign the course. MacKenzie declared “Lahinch will make the finest and most popular golf course that I, or I believe anyone else, ever constructed.”
Padraig McInerney, Tournament Director at Lahinch Golf Club stated that, “the postponement of this year’s Arnold Palmer Cup is perfectly understandable amidst this current pandemic. While it is a great disappointment for Lahinch Golf Club, its members and the entire local community we remain fully committed to the event and the wonderful concept of honouring young, talented golfers and, in doing so, providing them with the opportunity to experience international competition over some of the world’s great courses.
“We offer our congratulations to those honoured with selection in 2020 and look forward to continuing our relationship with the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, college golf and to hosting the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup.”
For more information visit arnoldpalmercup.com.
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