Boasting two championship courses – which have hosted no fewer than 17 majors between them – Baltusrol represents yet another world-class venue to have staged the Simpson Cup, with the event having previously graced esteemed golf courses such as TPC Sawgrass, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Congressional Country Club, Royal St George’s Golf Club, Oak Hill Country Club, St Andrews Links and, most recently, The Creek in 2021.
Inaugurated in 2012, the Simpson Cup pits 13 injured Service members and veterans from both sides of the Atlantic against one another in an annual, Ryder Cup-style tournament that raises funds and awareness for On Course Foundation - a charitable organisation which is registered in both the USA and the UK.
All competitors involved are members of the Foundation, which helps men and women who were injured, sick or wounded in combat rebuild their lives; both through being given the opportunity to play the game, and attaining employment in the golf industry.
The tournament is named after its founder, John Simpson, former Senior Vice-President of International Management Group. Simpson, who himself only has one fully-functioning leg as a result of suffering polio as a child, is also the Chairman and Founder of On Course Foundation, and has managed players such as Sir Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Vijay Singh and Bernhard Langer.
“I’m delighted that the Simpson Cup will be held at Baltusrol in August; a terrific venue steeped in history,” Simpson commented. “The tournament continues to go from strength to strength, not least after a thrilling event last year. We’ve got excellent momentum as a charity at the moment, and this year’s showpiece will be yet another springboard to allow us to help more veterans – on both sides of the Atlantic.
“I know the players are looking forward to writing the next chapter in Simpson Cup history. With the series tightly poised at 5-4 (to the Americans), both teams will be determined to press for victory and stake their claim at Baltusrol. What an exhibition of golf it promises to be!”
The Simpson Cup is the marquee event for the On Course Foundation, with a match play competition format – much the same as the Ryder Cup. Team USA are currently in possession of the trophy, having secured a memorable win at The Creek in 2021. The Brits will be determined to level up the series this time around, although will face the challenge of trying to do so on American soil for the second successive year.
It will undoubtedly offer something different, as the players descend on not one, but two of the country’s premier courses. Sitting at the base of Baltusrol Mountain in northern New Jersey - only a stone's throw from New York City - both the Upper and Lower have a rich heritage. Having played distinguished roles on the national stage since their creation by Golden Age architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1922, the duo have shared 17 major championships as a host, including seven U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships.
“Once we were approached about the possibility of the Simpson Cup being played at Baltusrol, we were all hands on deck to get involved and support the tournament,” said Matt Wirths, President of Baltusrol. “We are profoundly grateful to these men and women for the sacrifices they have made for our country, and it is so uplifting to see the difference the game of golf can make in their lives.
“Baltusrol has a storied tradition of hosting championship golf, and we are honored to continue that legacy with the Simpson Cup. Our members and staff look forward to welcoming the two teams to our Club in August.”
The Simpson Cup commences on the evening of Sunday, August 28th with the Opening Ceremony and subsequent fundraising dinner. The following day sees the traditional player/sponsor competition taking place, before the tournament proper begins on the morning of Tuesday, August 30th with six four-ball matches (two against two, better ball). The competition then concludes on the Wednesday morning with 13 singles matches.
