County Down's Beth Coulter selected for Great Britain and Ireland team for the Curtis Cup
County Down’s Beth Coulter has been selected in the Great Britain and Ireland squad for the upcoming Curtis Cup at Bel-Air Country Club.
The biennial encounter is taking place at the renowned Los Angeles venue from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June, with GB&I bidding to retain the famous trophy after a memorable 10½-9½ victory at Sunningdale in 2024.
The competition is played over three days with eight singles matches, six foursomes matches and six fourball matches.
Catriona Matthew OBE returns as captain with GB&I aiming for a first win on American soil since 1986.
Matthew, who famously led Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2021, said: “I’m really looking forward to the match at Bel-Air. We have selected eight players who we believe will provide us with the best opportunity of retaining the Curtis Cup against the United States of America.
“With a number of players turning professional since the last match, we have a new, exciting team. In terms of the amateur rankings, we will be the underdogs but we also were at Sunningdale. It’s going to be a challenge but in match play anyone can beat anyone and it’s just trying to instil that belief in my players.
“I’ve enjoyed my role as Captain. It’s great fun to see the next generation come through, getting to know them and trying to help them. We are all preparing to give our best at Bel-Air next month.”
The top five players on the World Amateur Golf Ranking and three selections make up the GB&I side. Coulter and Patience Rhodes return to the team after playing key roles at Sunningdale, with Sophia Fullbrook, Lily Hirst, Isla McDonald-O'Brien, Charlotte Naughton, Nellie Ong and Davina Xanh also included.
Coulter, who is an Arizona State University student, has a wealth of team experience, having played in the Vagliano Trophy, World Amateur Team Championship, European Team Championship and Home Internationals, in addition to her successful Curtis Cup debut.
She also reached the quarter-finals of The Women's Amateur Championship in 2023 and has been a runner-up in the Irish Women's Amateur Open, Irish Women's Close Championship and multiple collegiate events in America.