CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia golfers Amanda Sambach (Pinehurst, N.C.) and Ben James (Milford, Conn.) begin play for the United States team at the 28th Arnold Palmer Cup matches on Friday. This year’s event is hosted by Lahinch Golf Club located on the west coast of Ireland. This marks the second consecutive year both Cavaliers have played for the U.S. Team at the Palmer Cup. They helped the U.S. Team to a 32-28 victory at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa.
The three-day tournament 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. 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, Orlando, Fla., in 1997.
The Arnold Palmer Cup Champion is the team with the most points at the conclusion of the four rounds of play. If the two sides are tied the holder retains the Cup. Currently the United States leads the all-time series 14-12-1.
Palmer Cup Schedule
For tournament days (Friday-Sunday), the tee time starts and tee time intervals are as follows:
Friday, July 5
8:30 a.m. (No. 1 Tee): Four-ball matches
Saturday, July 6
8:30 a.m. (split tees): Foursomes
2:30 p.m. (split tees): Mixed Foursomes
Sunday, July 7
7:30 a.m. (split tees): Singles
Closing ceremonies/Trophy Presentation
Note: All times are Irish Standard Time
About Amanda Sambach
- Second-team All-American by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association
- Third consecutive year she has earned All-America honors
• Led the Cavaliers with a 71.45 stroke average - Ranked No. 11 in the final NCAA individual standings
- Had seven top-10 performances in 11 total tournaments
- Won Toledo’s Glass City Invitational for the fourth victory in her career
- Led UVA in scoring at the ACC Championships, NCAA Regional and NCAA Championships in addition to five regular-season tournaments
• Was named an All-ACC performer for the third consecutive season. - One of 10 finalists for the 2024 ANNIKA Award presented to the nation’s top female collegiate golfer
- Competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur for the fourth consecutive time, placing 14th for the second consecutive year.
About Ben James
- PING first-team All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America
- Finished as the runner-up at the NCAA Championships, his second consecutive top-10 finish at the event
- At NCAAs, shot 2-under 286 to finish…
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