Royal Lytham & St Annes is awarded 2015 Walker Cup

HOME to the Ryder Cup on two occasions, Royal Lytham & St Annes will play host to the amateur equivalent for the first time when it stages the Walker Cup in 2015.

The Lancashire course, already scheduled to host The Open in 2012, has a strong connection with the amateur game through its annual staging of the Lytham Trophy and also the fact Bobby Jones became only the third amateur to lift the Claret Jug when he won the first of his three Open Championships there in 1926.

"As one of Great Britain and Ireland's premier links courses, it will undoubtedly provide a stern test befitting a contest that has come to represent the pinnacle of amateur achievement," said David Hill, The R&A's Director of Championships.

"The golfing public in the north-west of England are extremely knowledgeable and have always shown a keen interest in the amateur game."

Paul Gardner, the Royal Lytham captain, added: "The club prides itself on strong connections with the amateur game. The last two years have seen significant course improvements, following consultation with the R&A, which will lead to an enhanced challenge for all competitors in major events throughout this decade and beyond."

Royal Aberdeen stages the next Walker Cup in 2011, followed two years later by the National Golf Links of America in Long Island, New York.