Interclub Challenge Cup
Sport: Golf
Gender: Men
Typically Held: May
Course: Championship
Summary: An annual invitation 18-Hole, Individual Scratch Match Play event for up to 16 clubs held on six Sundays in May/June. The event is divided into four sections; each section has four teams of eight players. Each club will host one Sunday in the first four weeks, with all clubs in the section playing at the host club.
Rounds 1 – 3 Round Robin; Round 4 Section Final and Wooden Spoon play off then Semi Finals and Final. Each host club in the round robin will have one home, one away and one neutral match and the host club for the Section Final/Wooden Spoon play off will have three neutral matches in the round robin. Played in fours (or twos at the discretion of the host club). Firstmatch/matches off to comprise number 8s (and 7s if in fours). In the event of a tie for the final a sudden death playoff will occur In the event of a tie a sudden death playoff will occur between the ‘Captain’s Pick’ of each team.
History: An event held to ensure that ‘good golf is enjoyed on good golf courses at convenient times with good fellowship’. (Minutes of Inaugural Match Meeting, 21st September 1998). This event was started by Paul Mazoudier, Captain 1996-2000, when NSW Golf Association threatened to down-grade Royal Sydney’s status in the Major Pennant event. The Captains of 15 Clubs were invited to a meeting at Royal Sydney.T hey were the former (not necessarily the original) Group 1 Major Pennant Clubs along with Royal Sydney: The Australian, Concord, Bonnie Doon, Manly, Killara, Moore Park, NSW, The Lakes, Kogarah, St. Michaels, Avondale, Pymble, Pennant Hills and Cromer. As his concept required 16 clubs, the Captains, unanimously, authorised Paul Mazoudier to invite Elanora Country Club, which had never played Major Pennants to be the 16th Club. They agreed.
Paul Mazoudier was authorised to purchase a trophy for this event. He found the ‘Bjelke Petersen Physical Culture Cup for NSW’ cup in an antique shop, for $900. In the 1920s there was a tradition, possibly in all sports, that if you won the cup three years in succession as an individual, you kept it. This cup only had the name of the person who had won it three years in a row, until 1923. It was easy to erase the original printing and have it engraved for the Inter Club Challenge Cup.
Paul Mazoudier has explained that the concept was that the Cup would not replace Major Pennants for those who wished to continue to play in it. Some of the Clubs about to be relegated were contemplating exiting Major Pennants and even membership of the NSW Golf Association, saving affiliation fees. All were members of the Australian Golf Union and an Australian Handicapping System had commenced. Golf was in decline and clubs were ‘buying’ young promising golfers for nominal membership fees.
The understanding was that the Teams would be representative of their Club membership. As it was Scratch Match Play, no more than two members were to have handicaps of 4 or less, with six of handicaps of between 5 to 10. There were no Juniors and, for those clubs continuing to play Major Pennants, no more than two of their Team were to be Major Pennant Players. Teams played in order of handicap.
The first final was very exciting. Before a crowd comprising all the players and officials of all Clubs awaiting the result and the dinner to follow, the winner chipped in for a birdie 3. In essence the ICCC was a first opportunity for those not quite good enough for Major Pennants to represent their Club in a Scratch event.
At the Final Dinner in 2008, Paul Mazoudier, having ceased playing golf in May, 2007 was presented by the Clubs with an inscribed pewter letter rack in recognition of his initiative.
Traditions & Standards:
Match Dress: team shirts with club logo to be worn by all players. Inter-Club Challenge Cup embossing to be optional.
Lunch Dress: sports attire
Annual Dinner: jacket and tie
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