University of Stirling Head of Golf set to lead Great Britain and Ireland into transatlantic battle
Captain Dean Robertson's final preparations ahead of prestigious Walker Cup
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University of Stirling Head of Golf Dean Robertson is eagerly anticipating going head-to-head with the United States, as he prepares to captain Great Britain and Ireland at the prestigious Walker Cup.
In the 50th edition of the transatlantic tie, Robertson will lead a team of 10 amateur golfers from GB&I as they bid to wrestle the coveted title off their American counterparts, who have dominated the biennial contest since its founding in 1922.
This year’s milestone competition will take place at the exclusive Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California, and broadcast live across the world, including on Sky Sports here in the UK. Robertson believes the players he has selected have every opportunity to cause an upset on American soil.
The 55-year-old said: “I have meticulously selected this year’s Great Britain and Ireland team, leveraging an unparalleled understanding of each player’s game, personality, and ability to meet the unique skill set demanded at Cypress Point.
“This exceptional group represents the very best in skill, unity, resilience and determination. We are massive underdogs on paper and there are some who say we have absolutely no chance, however, I am 100 per cent confident that this team is perfectly equipped to compete at the highest level.
“Win or lose, we are heading to Cypress Point to set a new standard, embrace the challenge, honour the legacy of the Walker Cup and make history.”
Excited
Set to fly out to the United States this week, the GB&I team consists of 10 players: Cameron Adam, Eliot Baker, Dominic Clemons, Charlie Forster, Connor Graham, Stuart Grehan, Luke Poulter, Niall Sheils Donegan, Gavin Tiernan and Tyler Weaver.
Robertson will be supported by fellow professional golfers Raymond Russell – his teammate at the 1993 Walker Cup in Minnesota – and Kath O’Connor; University of Stirling colleague, sports psychologist Dr John Mathers; and performance nutritionist Amy O’Donnell.
Robertson added: “We are all incredibly excited by this challenge. To be part of this special competition at a venue like Cypress Point is a career defining moment for the team.
“Having walked in their shoes back in 1993, I know how the players will be feeling. I’m encouraging them to embrace the experience, enjoy the atmosphere and give everything they’ve got as they seek to upset the odds and bring the Walker Cup back home.”
Last month, Robertson brought the team together for the St Andrews Trophy, played in Madrid against the Continent of Europe. GB&I put on a brilliant performance as they swept to a 16.5 to 8.5 victory, and Robertson believes the confidence taken from the win, combined with a focus on three key values – of preparation, togetherness and execution – will stand his players in good stead as they reconvene in California in the coming days.
“We’ve had the opportunity to spend some time together, forge relationships and build foundations – and we are looking forward to see what we can achieve together at Cypress Point.”
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Head of Performance Sport, University of Stirling
The Walker Cup is a very prestigious tournament, which has previously given some of the biggest names in golf the opportunity to make their mark. Dean has given the team the best possible chance of success via his meticulous and diligent approach to preparing for the task in hand.
David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “Very best wishes to Dean and the GB&I squad ahead of their big match up against the USA at Cypress Point.
“The Walker Cup is a very prestigious tournament, which has previously given some of the biggest names in golf the opportunity to make their mark.
“Dean has given the team the best possible chance of success via his meticulous and diligent approach to preparing for the task in hand. Best of luck to Dean and the team.”
Walker Cup
For the 2025 event, which will take place September 6 and 7, the United States will be captained by Nathan Smith, an amateur golfer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who has played in three Walker Cups: 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Organised by the R&A and the United States Golf Association, the Walker Cup began in 1922, with the United States leading the series 39-9, with one match tied. Selection to play in the historic match is often regarded as the highlight of an amateur’s career – many of whom go on to turn professional. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickleson and Dustin Johnson are among the top professionals to have played in the competition while amateurs.
GB&I will be aiming for success at Cypress Point following four straight losses in the competition, the most recent a narrow defeat to the USA in St Andrews in September 2023. GB&I has only won twice on US soil – at Peachtree Golf Club, Atlanta, in 1989 and Ocean Forest Golf Club, Georgia, in 2001.
Dean Robertson
As an amateur, Robertson won the Scottish Youths Amateur Open Championship in 1991, the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 1992, and the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1993. At the 1993 Walker Cup, at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, he won his singles match against Jay Sigel – but, in a one-sided affair, GB&I lost the competition 19-5.
As a professional, Robertson won the European Tour’s Italian Open in 1999 and the Scottish PGA Championship in 2006. He also competed in The Open Championship on four occasions, with his best finish being tied 26th at St Andrews in 2000.
Watch: University of Stirling's high-performance golf programme.
Robertson has led the high-performance golf programme at Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – since 2010. During his tenure, he has developed some of the country’s most promising golfing talent. In recent years, highlights have included scholars Lorna McClymont and Louise Duncan joining the professional Ladies European Tour, and McClymont being crowned best female student golfer in the UK in 2023, and George Cannon the best male. McClymont also won the 2022/23 R&A Student Order of Merit and two major amateur competitions – the Irish Open and Welsh Open.
Scholars have also enjoyed international success under Dean’s leadership – being selected for major team competitions, including the Arnold Palmer Cup, Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy; competing in competitions across Europe and the United States. Notably, in 2009, Dean was Head Coach of the Arnold Palmer Cup Team. Graduates of the University programme have also competed in the Walker Cup: Colin Dalgleish, Gordon Sherry, Richie Ramsay, Gavin Dear, Jack McDonald and Cormac Sharvin.
Excellence
The University of Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. The coveted high-performance golf programme has recently added a state-of-the-art indoor studio to its facilities, enabling the University's golfers to use data-driven insights to perfect their game. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
Core sports include golf, triathlon, football, tennis, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.
Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.