University's Head of Golf reappointed Walker Cup Captain

University of Stirling Head of Golf Dean Robertson will lead Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) into next year’s Walker Cup contest against the United States, it has been announced.

Dean has been reappointed Captain of GB&I after taking charge of the team for the first time at the 50^th edition of the Walker Cup, held last month at Cypress Point Club in California. The team trailed by just one point going into the 10 closing singles matches, however, ended up losing 17-9.

Dean’s meticulous work behind the scenes, along with the strong rapport developed with the players, helped secure backing for his second stint as Captain at Lahinch Golf Club, County Clare, Ireland.

Responding to the announcement, Dean said: “I am proud to accept the honour of captaining Great Britain and Ireland again in the Walker Cup at Lahinch.

“Leading a talented group of players at Cypress Point this year was a huge privilege and while we produced strong foursomes performances, the singles showed us the improvement and belief needed to achieve victory.

“I am committed to captaining the team with drive and determination over the iconic links of Lahinch. The focus will be to build on this year’s performance with the goal of winning back the Walker Cup next year.”

Walker Cup

Organised by the R&A and the United States Golf Association, the Walker Cup began in 1922. 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.

Although biennial, the contest is moving to even-numbered years, therefore, the next event in the series will take place next year at Lahinch.

Dean Robertson

As an amateur, Dean won the Scottish Youths Amateur Open Championship in 1991, the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 1992, and the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1993. He competed at the 1993 Walker Cup, at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, where he won his singles match against Jay Sigel – but, in a one-sided affair, GB&I lost the competition 19-5.

As a professional, Dean 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.

He 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.