Arizona State’s Olivia Mehaffey. Picture: Augusta National Golf Club

Maynooth University’s Caolan Rafferty and Arizona State’s Olivia Mehaffey have been named as committee selection for the 2020 Arnold Palmer Cup at Lahinch from July 3-5.

The picks were announced by Golf Channel at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

On the International side, Ireland’s Mehaffey (Arizona State) and Matthias Schmid of Germany (Louisville) both make their second appearance in the Arnold Palmer Cup and are joined by four newcomers in Ingrid Lindblad (LSU/Sweden), Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (South Carolina/France), Dundalk star Rafferty and Ludvig Aberg (Texas Tech/Sweden).

The United States team is led by a pair of returners in Emilia Migliaccio (Wake Forest) and Kaitlyn Papp (Texas), who will become the second and third Americans to play in three Arnold Palmer Cups

Ricky Castillo (Florida), Kaitlin Milligan (Oklahoma), John Pak (Florida State), and Davis Thompson (Georgia) will join Migliaccio and Papp on the American side .

The remainder of the 24 player mixed team will consist of 12 players selected using the APC Ranking (25 March) — Wake Forest’s Mark Power is well placed — four additional committee / coach’s picks and the two winners of the The R&A Student Tour Series Final (7 April).

Barry Fennelly, assistant men’s coach for the International team, said: “I am delighted that both Caolan and Olivia have been awarded committee selections. Their experience and proven track record at major links championships is second to none and I know that they will make a big contribution to the International team.

Dundalk and Maynooth University’s Caolan Rafferty. Picture: MGA

“From an Irish viewpoint, I am thrilled that Ireland has both a male and female representative on the team, it will be a huge honour for all of us to be part of such a prestigious International event that is the Arnold Palmer Cup. I have no doubt that many spectators and Irish golfing fans will come out in force to support us and get behind the International team.

“From a Maynooth perspective, I am personally thrilled to have a representative on the International side, Caolan has proved that he is a world class player through his rise in the world amateur golf rankings in recent years and I am delighted he is getting rewarded with this opportunity.

“Caolan becomes the fourth Paddy Harrington golf scholar at Maynooth University to compete in the Arnold Palmer Cup, Maynooth have now been represented at six of the last eight stagings of the Arnold Palmer Cup, a feat not matched by any institution outside of the United States.”

Maynooth University, Arnold Palmer Cup representatives (2013-2020)

2013: Gary Hurley (Europe) match played at Wilmington, Delaware, USA

2015: Gary Hurley (Europe) match played at Rich Harvest Farms, Illinois, USA.

2016: Stuart Grehan (Europe) match played at Formby, England

2017: Stuart Grehan (Europe) match played at Atlanta Athletic Club, Gerorgia, USA

2018: Ronan Mullarney (International) match played at Evian Resort Golf Club, France

Note: First year or new format including women and International team.

2020: Caolan Rafferty (International) match to be played at Lahinch, Ireland (July 3-5, 2020)

The Arnold Palmer Cup was co-founded by Arnold Palmer and The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and began at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Florida in 1997.

The event is a Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring the top men’s and women’s university/college golfers matching the United States against a team of International players.

It has been played at some of the world’s greatest courses including The Old Course at St Andrews, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Baltusrol, The Honors Course, and Cherry Hills.

The 2018 matches at Evian Resort Golf Club became the only major tournament which features men and women playing side-by-side as partners.

Since its inception, over 100 former Arnold Palmer Cup alumni have gone on to earn cards on either the PGA Tour, European Tour or LPGA, 29 have represented Europe or the USA in the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, and more than 60 have claimed over 240 victories on the PGA or European Tours. The United States leads the series 12-10-1.

The Arnold Palmer Cup is supported by Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation. The Arnold Palmer Cup provides a platform for perpetuating Arnold Palmer’s commitment to youth development and the growth of amateur/collegiate golf. For more information, please visit ArnoldPalmerCup.com.