Royal Sydwellian

Sport: Golf

Gender: Mixed

Typically Held: January

Course: Championship

Summary: Biennial friendly match between The Royal Sydney Golf Club and Royal Wellington Golf Club. Royal Sydney hosts every fourth year (Royal Sydney in 2020). Held on a Sunday and Monday in late January/early February. Teams of 12 men and 12 women (by invitation) from each Club. The match is played over two consecutive days with each player scoring for Four Ball Best Ball and Individual Match Play on both days.

History: After initial discussions between Richard Hattersley and Peter Cutfield, the event was fisrt played in Wellington on the weekend of Feb 9/10/11 2005. Denis Lenagan led the first RSGC team and Peter Cutfield (Captain) led the RWGC team.

As the host Club, RWGC chose a Mere, a symbol of Chieftainship as the trophy. The Mere is a short broad-bladed weapon in the shape of an enlarged tear drop which was used in hand-to-hand combat by both men and women. The Maori men warriors were the front-line and the women of the victorious side would often follow behind and despatch the wounded! The Mere is carved from NZ green jade (Pounamu) which came from the west coast of NZ.

Traditions & Standards: In the event of a tie, the team who won the previous year retains the Cup.
Dress – Dinner: Jacket and tie
Dress – Lunch and presentation: Golf attire

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