Know your cups
Ever since golf began, players have had the need to test themselves against others competitively. Usually, this involves individual competition, but there are a number of competitions that involve team play. In most cases, there is no money on the line – just pride and an award cup. As teaching professionals, we feel it is important that you have a grasp on the major cup competitions contested today. While the Ryder Cup is the most famous, there are many others equally important to the participants. In chronological order of origin:
Walker Cup
First held in 1922
Biennial match play between the USA and Great Britain & Ireland
Participants: Male amateurs
Sponsoring bodies: USGA and R&A
Ryder Cup
First held in 1927
Biennial match play between the USA and Britain (1927-1971); USA and Great Britain & Ireland (1973-1977); USA and Europe (1979-present)
Participants: Male touring professionals
Sponsoring bodies: PGA of America, PGA of Europe with European Tour
Curtis Cup
First held in 1932
Biennial match play between the USA and British Isles
Participants: Female amateurs
Sponsoring bodies: USGA and Ladies’ Golf Union
Solheim Cup
First held in 1990
Biennial match play between the USA and Europe
Participants: Female touring professionals
Sponsoring bodies: LPGA and Ladies’ European Tour
Presidents Cup
First held in 1994
Biennial match play between the USA and Internationals (excluding Europe)
Participants: Male touring professionals
Sponsoring bodies: PGA Tour
World Golf Teachers Cup
First held in 1997
Biennial match/stroke play between member federations of the World Golf Teachers Federation, both individual and team
Participants: Male and female teaching professionals
Sponsoring bodies: World Golf Teachers Federation
United States Golf Teachers Cup
First held in 1997
Annual stroke play national championship of the United States Golf Teachers Federation
Participants: Male and female teaching professionals
Sponsoring body: United States Golf Teachers Federation
Palmer Cup
First held in 1997
Annual match play between the USA and Europe
Participants: Male amateur collegians
Sponsoring bodies: Golf Coaches Association of American and British Universities Sports Association
Seve Cup
First held in 2002
Biennial match play between Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe
Participants: Male touring professionals
Sponsoring body: European Tour
UBS Warburg Cup
First held in 2001
Annual match play between the USA and Internationals
Participants: Male touring professionals 40 and over
