The Arnold Palmer Cup has been postponed and switched from Lahinch in June to Bay Hill in December because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally scheduled for the stunning Co Clare links from July 3-5, the elite event between the top male and female college golfers from the USA and the rest of the world has been rescheduled for Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge from December 21-23 this year.

Lahinch will host in 2024.

Padraig McInerney, Tournament Director at Lahinch said: “The postponement of this year’s Arnold Palmer Cup is perfectly understandable amidst this current pandemic. 

"While it is a great disappointment for Lahinch Golf Club, its members and the entire local community we remain fully committed to the event and the wonderful concept of honouring young, talented golfers and, in doing so, providing them with the opportunity to experience international competition over some of the world’s great courses.”

Organisers hope that rescheduling to December will allow the matches to be played in 2020 with Royal County Down Ladies’ Olivia Mehaffey (Arizona State), Kilkenny’s Mark Power (Wake Forest) and Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty (Maynooth Univ.) already selected to represent the International team.

"My father would have wanted to find a way to honour their excellence in these unprecedented times and hosting the rescheduled Arnold Palmer Cup at Bay Hill will be a fitting way to do so,” said Amy Palmer Saunders, daughter of the late Arnold Palmer.

"While we are disappointed not to visit Lahinch this summer, we are thrilled that Lahinch has agreed to host in 2024.

“The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, which carries on the legacy of my parent’s philanthropic initiatives, and conducts the Arnold Palmer Cup with the GCAA, WGCA and Foundation partners Rolex and Nike, is so appreciative of their support during these trying times, as well as The R&A and USGA. 

“We are also especially grateful for our collaboration with Lahinch Golf Club, its members and the Lahinch community, and their collective support for the Arnold Palmer Cup. We anticipate a wonderful Palmer Cup in 2024.”

The international team will feature two Irish coaches in Maynooth’s Barry Fennelly and Bray’s Alan Murray, the former Irish Youths champion who is now the Head Coach at the University of Washington.

For more information, visit https://arnoldpalmercup.com.