Date: October 22, 2007
Author:

Notable former WATC competitors

The World Amateur Team Championship is arguably the most prestigious golfing event on the amateur calendar which is no surprise given the calibre of players that have risen through the ranks since representing their countries. With hundreds of players competing every two years, there is a multitude of names, nationalities and talents continually passing through. Some are nothing more than a flash in the pan while others have forged ahead and made a name for themselves on the world stage. In 1994, a 19 year old Tiger Woods represented the United States of America shortly after becoming the youngest ever winner of the US Amateur. His prodigious talents helped his nation to an 11-stroke win over Great Britain & Ireland and arguably started his meteoric rise to becoming the greatest golfer on the planet. Also finding their feet at the World Amateur Team Championship was Spaniard Sergio Garcia, three-time Major winner Vijay Singh, Australian Triple Crown winner Robert Allenby, fellow Australian Aaron Baddeley and American Phil Mickelson. Not to mention other stars including Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson, Ben Curtis and Jack Nicklaus who&aposs long and distinguish career started with the World Amateur Team Championship back in 1960. The event has also been a proving ground for the world&aposs best female stars. Current world number one and dominant force on the LPGA, Lorena Ochoa, represented Mexico in 1998 and 2000 while world number two and seven-time Major winner Karrie Webb competed in 1994. Also gracing the largest amateur stage in the world at some point was Swedish great Annika Sorenstam, Juli Inkster, Nancy Lopez and the youngest ever member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Se Ri Pak of Korea. Whatever happens in Adelaide this October, we are guaranteed to see a plethora of golfers who will crack the big time at some point in their career. The long and distinguished list of talent displayed at past championships includes winners of all four Majors for both men and women, the Presidents, Ryder and Solheim Cups, Accenture World Match Play Championships, Order of Merits and a host of PGA, LPGA, Asian and European Tour events. The honour roll of the World Amateur Team Championship really is a who&aposs who of golf, and you can see the future of world golf competing in Adelaide this October!