The Loop

Walker Cup will recognize Sept. 11 anniversary

September 10, 2011

__ABERDEEN, Scotland--__That the Walker Cup will end on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States won't go unnoticed tomorrow at Royal Aberdeen GC.

R&A officials plan to have a moment of silence at the conclusion of play Sunday to acknowledge the tragedy. Additionally, U.S. captain Jim Holtgrieve has had a special hat created to  recognize the moment that his team will wear during the morning foursomes and afternoon singles matches. He also has a letter written by former President George W. Bush, whose great-grandfather__George Herbert Walker__ helped start the matches, that he plans to read to the team Sunday prior to the start of play.

While the day will clearly be filled with emotion for the American side, Holtgrieve said he didn't think it would adversely effect his players in their quest to win back the Cup.

"I think if anything, they will play harder," Holtgrieve said. "But it's not going to effect their focus and their commitment and the way they manage their games out there. I'm convinced they are so mature about that, that that's the way they will continue."

The Sept. 11 hat was designed with the help of a few of Holtgrieve's friends who lost family and friends in the attacks. "I sent a number of designs out to them that I had, and it's ironic that they all picked the same one that we're going to use," Holtgrieve said. "So it's a special day, and the team obviously aware of it. We're going to go out and try to play hard."