Smith Set for Arnold Palmer Cup

Nebraska’s Kate Smith will close the book on one of the greatest collegiate golf careers in Husker history by representing the United States in the 25th annual Arnold Palmer Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois, this week.

Smith, a 2021 WGCA All-American, is Nebraska’s first-ever representative in the Arnold Palmer Cup, which is a team competition between 24 U.S. collegiate golfers (12 men, 12 women) and 24 international players (12 men, 12 women).

“It’s a really exciting moment for me,” Smith said. “I’m used to trying to represent my university, but representing my country is a whole new experience. I can’t wait to start getting to know my team better and hopefully win some matches.”

The 22-year-old from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, begins a busy week Tuesday with her arrival at Rich Harvest Farms, before taking part in Wednesday’s practice round starting at 8:30 a.m. Team orientation and a rules meeting on Wednesday afternoon will lay out the format of the team event, which includes mixed four-ball (12 points), mixed foursomes (12 points), foursomes (12 points) and individual matches (24 points) with a total of 60 points up for grabs. The winning team will earn the most points across the competitions. 

Thursday begins with a shotgun start for the Collegiate-Am at 9 a.m. An official opening ceremony for the Arnold Palmer Cup event begins at 5 p.m.

Arnold Palmer Cup competition begins with mixed four-ball matches starting on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Action continues on Saturday with foursomes teeing off at 7:30 a.m. Mixed foursomes continue a full day of golf beginning at 1:30 p.m. The grand finale on the course at Rich Harvest Farms will feature 24 individual matches beginning on Sunday at 7:30 a.m.

The United States leads the all-time series in the event by the narrowest of margins, maintaining a slim 12-11-1 edge over the international team. The Arnold Palmer Cup was co-founded by Arnold Palmer and The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) with the first event at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida in 1997. Since its inception, more than 100 former Arnold Palmer Cup alumni have gone on to earn cards on either the PGA Tour, European Tour or LPGA Tour.

The Arnold Palmer Cup is supported by Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation and provides a platform for perpetuating Arnold Palmer’s commitment to youth development and the growth of amateur/collegiate golf. For more information, visit ArnoldPalmerCup.com.

Arnold Palmer Cup

Rich Harvest Farms (Sugar Grove, Illinois)

June 11-13, 2021

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, June 8 – Junior Clinic – 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 9 – Practice Round – 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, June 10 – College-Am – 9 a.m.

Friday, June 11 – Mixed Four-Ball Matches (12) – 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, June 12 – Foursomes (12) – 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, June 12 – Mixed Foursomes (12) – 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 13 – Individual Matches (24) – 7:30 a.m.