The Walker Cup, often called the "Ryder Cup for amateurs," is being held this weekend in Lahinch, County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. The GB & Ireland team is set to face the USA in this prestigious golf competition, which brings together top amateur players from both sides of the Atlantic. Among the competitors are two players from the Midlands: 19-year-old Ben Bolton from Wombourne and Sam Easterbrook from Tamworth. Bolton, the youngest on the team, plays at Enville Golf Club, a venue known for hosting Open regional qualifying events. He described the Walker Cup as "the pinnacle of amateur golf" and expressed great excitement about the opportunity to compete. Easterbrook, who narrowly missed qualifying for the Open Last Chance Qualifier before the Royal Birkdale tournament in July, now has the chance to represent his country after earning a golf scholarship in the United States. He described his time in America as "the best experience of my life," highlighting the growth and opportunities he has gained through his studies and training. The GB & Ireland team features notable players, including Luke Poulter, the son of Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter, and Tyler Weaver, the son of former classic-winning flat jockey Jason Weaver. The team consists of 10 players, each with their own background, country of origin, age, and level of experience in the competition. The Walker Cup is typically held every two years but has been adjusted to even-numbered years to avoid scheduling conflicts with the Americans' Eisenhower Trophy, which was rescheduled due to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Unlike the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, which are played over three days, the Walker Cup takes place over two days with 10 players per team. The competition format includes four foursomes on Saturday morning, followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon. On Sunday, the teams play four more foursomes in the morning and 10 singles matches in the afternoon, with a total of 26 points up for grabs. The USA, current holders of the Walker Cup, need only 13 points to retain the trophy, which they have dominated since the competition began in 1922. The Americans have won 40 of the 50 events, while the British have only nine victories, with one tied in 1965. The Walker Cup has been held in Ireland twice before—once in 1997 at Portmarnock and again in 2007 at Royal County Down—both times with the USA emerging victorious.