Catriona Matthew was appointed captain of the 2024 Great Britain & Ireland team at Sunningdale. This might not seem like a big deal to those who don’t closely follow the Curtis Cup. She’s obviously qualified as a three-time Curtis Cup champion and major champion, and she was the first European captain to win back-to-back Solheim Cup wins in 2019 and 2021.
The historic aspect of the appointment is that no professional player has ever captained a Curtis Cup-winning team. Matthew will become the LPGA’s first professional to head the eight-member team in the biennial competition against Team USA. GB&I won the Curtis Cup last year at Dun Laoghaire.
The first ever Curtis Cup match will take place at Sunningdale’s Old Course, August 30-Sept 1, 2024. Matthew has seen almost everything in this event. In 1990, she was on the losing team. She was also on the winning side at Royal Liverpool in 1992.
Matthew is still a mentor for Scottish Golf, having been a winner of the 1993 Women’s British Amateur and 2009 AIG Women’s British Open.
Matthew said that he remembers the emotions of playing in the Curtis Cup. He also recalled the excitement of competing as a member of a team, the pressure to do well and the need to keep them happy. It is my responsibility as a captain to guide the players through these situations, and to encourage them to believe in what is possible.
It’s your turn @Beany25
We are pleased to announce that Catriona Matt OBE will be 2024 GB&I @CurtisCup Captain
More here
https://t.co/flcigygMWl pic.twitter.com/ZtDHAQeNlL
— The R&A (@RandA March 22, 2023
Last summer, GB&I lost at Merion to the Americans by a score 15 1/2 -4 1/2. In the past, the USGA has appointed exceptional amateur golfers as Curtis Cup captains.
Martin Slumbers, R&A CEO, stated that the Curtis Cup is a well-known event for women’s elite amateur golf. Great Britain and Ireland have enjoyed many great wins. “We are seeing the amateur level of golf evolve into a more competitive age and Catriona is the most qualified captain to lead the team during this period.”
