FAR HILLS, N.J. -- Buddy Marucci, who lost to Tiger Woods in
the finals of the 1995 U.S. Amateur, was appointed Thursday as U.S.
captain for the Walker Cup in 2007.
"It's a dream come true," said Marucci, a 53-year-old career
amateur who co-owns four luxury car dealerships in the Philadelphia
area. "I have some big shoes to fill in following Bob Lewis. It's
going to be a challenge."
Lewis was captain of the American team of amateurs that beat
Great Britain and Ireland last year. The '07 matches will be played
Sept. 8-9 at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.
Marucci has qualified for 40 USGA championships and played on
the Walker Cup in 1995 and 1997. But he is best remembered as a
U.S. Amateur finalist in 1995 at Newport Country Club, where Woods
defeated him, 2 up.
The United States has a 32-7-1 record in the Walker Cup,
including a 12½-11½ victory last year at Chicago Golf Club.