It seemed that this team was not to be denied. The 2013 U.S. Walker Cup team was comprised of six golfers from two college teams, two more collegians and two mid-amateurs and it had a sense of familiarity and confidence that bathed the National Golf Links of America in home-grown patriotism.

Despite a morning hiccup, in which the duo of Patrick Rodgers and Jordan Niebrugge lost a seemingly insurmountable four-hole lead to Gavin Moynihan and Kevin Phelan, the host team found itself a mere 3.5 points away from a match victory.

The great irony in the Rodgers/Niebrugge loss was, despite giving up the point, the duo was so far ahead for so long that it buoyed the remaining three pairs to solid performances. The Americans won two of the four morning matches to preserve their 4-point margin. They marched toward the 10 afternoon singles matches with a 10-6 lead, requiring Great Britain & Ireland to conjure up a magical finish of seven afternoon points to return to Europe with the cup.

Jordan Niebrugge tees off Sunday on fifth hole.

Great Britain & Ireland has benefited from strong team play in recent Walker Cups. It has used partner success to plant seeds of stress in afternoon individual performances. At National Golf Links of America, it was never able to get that decisive 3-1 or better partner session total. The Americans were beyond dominant in singles play this year, winning 6.5 of 8 points on Saturday and 7 of 10 on Sunday. The afternoon performance gave the Americans a 17-9 victory and guardianship of the Walker Cup for two years.

Coach James Holtgrieve spoke all week of the importance of the two mid-amateurs, Nathan Smith and Todd White. It was fitting that the veterans, who spoke of the amateur life and the commitment to the ideals of the game’s founders to their younger teammates, would win the match-clinching points on Sunday afternoon. White defeated Rhys Pugh by 4 & 3 to ensure a 13-point; moments later, Smith overcame Nathan Kimsey by the same score to bring the victory home.

Todd White putts on 4th green Sunday morning.

Both Jordan Niebrugge and Patrick Rodgers recovered from their morning collapse with afternoon singles triumphs. Niebrugge birdied six of the first eight holes against Jordan Smith to go six up. He would win by 6 & 5.

Rodgers avenged a Saturday singles loss to Gavin Moynihan with a 1-up win on Sunday. The Rodgers-Moynihan match was all square for 13 of the first 17 holes, indicating the parity between the two. Rodgers birdied the final hole to grab the final point.