Trip Kuehne...America's Gary Wolstenholme in the Walker Cup

Now that the semifinalists for the 2006 US Amateur have been decided, it is time to posit a theory that may hold little interest for many, but should be discounted by none. Trip Kuehne, of the golfing Kuehnes, should be granted (royally or otherwise) a permanent position on the US Walker Cup team. He should hold that post until he renounces it himself, and it should be withdrawn by no other.

The reason is a simple one. Until 2005, Gary Wolstenhome had led the GB&I team to three consecutive victories, and four out of five. In fact, had a putt fallen the other way, he would have had four in a row, and five of six. Here’s a bit about GW from the official Walker Cup site:

Gary Wolstenholme, 44, Market Harborough, England – Wolstenholm will be playing in his sixth Walker Cup Match. He holds the unique record of having played in four Cup winning teams (1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003). Only Sir Michael Bonallack and the late Joe Carr have played in more matches although Wolstenholme’s record of 17 matches played, nine won and eight lost, stands comparison with the best. He is England’s most capped player and this year has won the New South Wales Medal and the Sherry Cup. His home golf club is Kilworth Springs.

Not since Jay Sigel has the USA had a player of Wolstenhome’s stature. See any recent major victories in GW’s holster? No, and they’re not necessary. The leadership of the GB&I squad understand that the man is more important than the medals. Knowing that a true veteran presence, a man who has forsaken pay-for-play (golfing celibacy, I call it) for amateur competition, is on the team, benefits the entire program. Kuehne is just such a player. He competes each year in a number of major amateur events, regularly makes match play in the US Amateur, and represents an alternative to professional golf. His absence from the team in 2005 was not a travesty, but was certainly an oversite. Kuehne would serve as a defacto assistant captain during the matches and a pair of eyes on the competitive worth of potential teammates, and offer a calming experience and expertise to new members.