Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago

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When the Walker Cup came to the Old Course in 1971, Great Britain & Ireland had won only once since the trans-Atlantic grudge match began in 1922. G, B & I’s playing-captain, Michael Bonallack, chose his friend Roddy Carr for the team, and Carr came through with 2.5 points in his first three matches, along the way beating celebrated Americans like Lanny Wadkins and Vinny Giles.

Heading into the final eight singles matches, G,B & I trailed 9-7, and the deficit grew to 10-7 with Wadkins beat Bonallack in the opening match. But the plucky home team rallied to win the next three. Carr, fifth in the singles lineup, arrived with a 1-up lead at the home hole, which was ringed by thousands of fans at full-throat. After consulting with his caddie, the celebrated Tip Anderson, Carr poured in a 33-foot birdie putt to win his match and give G, B & I a lead it would not relinquish.

With the Walker Cup having returned to the Old Course, Carr and Bonallack reunited on the 18th green to relive the memories of a legendary victory. Only at the Old Course, golf’s grandest stage and a living, breathing museum to the game’s past.

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