We all look at the Ryder Cup each year and would love to be able to take part in something with such tradition, so competitive and yet so friendly. Our Honorary Secretary Joe Walker brought an idea to the committee at the beginning of the year to hold a one day annual challenge between Blessington Lakes and our local neighbours Tulfarris. The challenge could be hosted by each club in alternative years and would be held each year in September.

The idea is play in the true spirit of golf with the oppertunity for members at all levels to compete on the same team representing the respective clubs.

Following a meeting held today between the club captain’s and hon secs of Blessington Lakes and Tulfarris the following details were discussed and agreed.

Blessington Lakes will host the inaugural match in 2012 and Tulfarris will host the match in 2013, with each club hosting the match in alternate years. The first match has been fixed for the 15th September 2012. The match will be played in the middle of September every year.

Format

The format agreed on is fourball better ball matchplay with 7 pairings making up each team. Pairings will be categorised as follows

• 2 parings from Cat 1 0-11
• 2 pairings from Cat 2 12-18
• 2 pairings from Cat 3 19-28
• The final pairing will be made up of the Captain and Vice Captain of each club, should either be not available the captain will nominate a suitable replacement.

The handicap held on the Monday before the match will be the handicap to qualify the player for his category however the payer will play off his current handicap on the day. Scoring will be matchplay. The lowest handicap in the fourball will go to scratch and concede ¾ ‘s of the difference in handicap to the rest of the players in the fourball. There will be 3 points to play for in each match with a total of 21 points overall.

1 point for winning the front 9
1 point for winning the back 9
1 point for the overall result

This ensures the players will have something to play for throughout their match and makes it less likely that a match will finish early.

Qualification

There will be a year long qualification process to make the team on the day using the player of the year competition. The top 3 available players in the player of the year standings on the Sunday before the event from each category will automatically make the team and the club captain will also get to pick one wild card from each category to make the team. Player of the year points are currently awarded for monthly medals, captain’s prize, presidents prize and the club matchplay. Should two players be tied on points the most recent qualification performance will be taken into account.

A presentation of the trophy and meal will follow the golf. This event promises to be a great social occasion for the two clubs which will hopefully be the beginning of a long history for the trophy and the event.

SEE CURRENT QUALIFICATION TABLE