'The pinnacle' - Midland men aiming to win 'Ryder Cup for amateurs'

September 4, 2026

The Walker Cup, an amateur golf competition between Great Britain & Ireland and the USA, takes place this weekend at Lahinch in County Clare, Ireland. Two players from the Midlands region—19-year-old Ben Bolton from Wombourne and 21-year-old Sam Easterbrook from Tamworth—are part of the 10-member GB&I squad hoping to repeat their 2015 victory at Royal Lytham. The tournament format differs from the professional Ryder Cup, being contested over two days instead of three with 10 players per side rather than 12, totaling 26 points available.

Who is affected

The 10-man Great Britain & Ireland team, specifically Ben Bolton (19, from Wombourne) and Sam Easterbrook (21, from Tamworth)
The USA team (opposing side)
Luke Poulter (son of Ian Poulter) and Tyler Weaver (son of Jason Weaver), who are team members
Non-playing captain Dean Robertson
The Midlands golf community

What action is being taken

The Walker Cup is being played this weekend at Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland, with matches scheduled across Saturday and Sunday (foursomes and singles).

Why it matters

This represents the pinnacle of amateur golf competition, providing young golfers a prestigious international team experience comparable to the professional Ryder Cup. The event has historically launched the careers of multiple major champions, including past participants like Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson. For the Midlands specifically, this continues a strong regional tradition that has produced major winners like Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, and Laura Davies.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC