Tripartite
Sport: Golf
Gender: Mixed
Typically Held: May
Course: Championship
Summary: Four Ball Best Ball Match Play team event held over over a Saturday and Sunday, usually in April or May between Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Royal Adelaide Golf Club and The Royal Sydney Golf Club, competing for the Tripartite Trophy and the Bill Richardson (General Manager’s) Trophy. Hosted in annual rotation. Teams of 8 players plus General Manager. Draw by set formula for both days. Playing groups are based on:
Player 1 – Most senior Office Bearer
Player 2 – Next most senior Office Bearer
Player 3 – Lowest handicap of remaining players
Player 4 – Next lowest handicap
Players 5-8 – In handicap order
History: In March 1993, at a meeting of the Presidents and Captains of the three Clubs, it was decided to hold an Annual Golf Match and meeting to enhance the relationship between the Clubs and discuss golf matters of mutual concern. Present at the meeting were D.N. Robinson (President) J.F. Sangster (Captain), Royal Adelaide; Sir John Holland (President), W.J. Whitton (Captain), Royal Melbourne and W.O.A. Astridge (President), A.S. Dawson (Captain), Royal Sydney.
The results to date (ie. after 26 occasions), after taking into accounts two-way and three-way ties (the only one of the latter being the last time this was contested in 2019), is Royal Adelaide 5.83 wins; RSGC 8.33 wins; Royal Melbourne 11.83 wins. The average winning score is 6 while Royal Melbourne has posted both the highest and lowest winning scores: 8 (in 2015) and 4.5 (in 1995). The Tripartite Trophy is a collection of three silver dice. The General Manager’s Trophy, a pen holder, is named for Bill Richardson, a former Secretary of Royal Melbourne.
Traditions & Standards: This was an event for men until 2019 when Royal Adelaide included all their Committee members, one of whom was a woman.
The results of each event are inscibed (by a calligrapher) in a special leather bound “Tripartite book” used to settle many arguments.
On the morning of the first round a meeting is held between the Presidents, Captains and General Managers of all Clubs. Presentation of trophy and prizes are made at the luncheon after play on Sunday.
Dress:
Friday Cocktails/Dinner: Coat no tie
Saturday Dinner: Jacket and tie for dinner
Sunday Lunch: Golf attire
Dress
Lunch: Golf attire
Dinner: Jacket and tie for dinner
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