Cumbria Cup History

Cumbria Cup - The first 35 years

The Cumbria Cup, originally Matheson Trophy, was the brainchild of Paul William Booth (our inspiration, founder & friend) who in June 1980 worked for Liverpool Computer Services (LCS), an Information Technology (IT) office within the Inland Revenue. He and his wife, Marjorie (a native of Scotland whom Paul had first met when he previously worked in the IT section of Centre 1 - another Inland Revenue office located in East Kilbride (EK), Glasgow) were returning to Liverpool following a visit to her family, when she indicated that she would like to visit the Cumbrian market town of Penrith. Naturally, Marjorie wished to spend the afternoon at the market whilst Paul, as dutiful and supportive a husband as ever (both before and since), decided a visit to the local Golf Club was infinitely more preferable.

Upon his arrival at the Club, Paul was made to feel extremely welcome, enjoyed a most pleasant, filling and inexpensive lunch (always significant considerations when possessing an appetite the size of the younger PWB) and proceeded to sample the delights of a well-maintained, relatively easy-walking, parkland course (the original 9 holes on the clubhouse side of Salkeld Road originally having been the site of Penrith horse racing course). During his round, the same thought kept recurring..... As Penrith was, more or less, midway between Glasgow and Liverpool, wouldn't it be an ideal venue for a golf match between teams representing EK & LCS? In such a way, he could maintain existing friendships with individuals from his previous office whilst enabling new friendships to be formed. In addition, it could also foster a closer working relationship between the two offices to the benefit of the Department of Inland Revenue.

By the conclusion of his 18-holes, Paul was convinced that this idea had considerable merit and determined to pursue it further. On returning to the clubhouse, he sought out the Secretary of the Club and made a provisional booking for up to 16 golfers to visit Penrith on Friday, 19 September 1980 to play 2 rounds of golf. Upon arriving back in Liverpool, he advised the then Secretary of LCS Golfing Society, Bernie Fleming (enter the 'organiser') of his provisional arrangements, provided him with contact details at EK and asked him to pursue the viability of an 8-a-side competition comprising, say, morning Fourballs and afternoon Singles. Even allowing for respective holiday commitments, two months was more than ample time to obtain a commitment from both Societies that the match should take place, address all possible problems, finalise arrangements and, most importantly, select the teams.

The morning of the fateful day duly arrived, 16 golfers descended upon Penrith Golf Club, eventually, and at 10:06 a.m. the first shot in the Grand Challenge Match was played by Clive Mason (LCS). For mid-September the weather was especially kind with sunshine throughout the day and barely a breath of wind. Everyone, low and higher handicap golfers alike, thoroughly enjoyed the test provided by the course and some excellent golf was played (not, however by the organiser who with two losses embarked upon a record that stands to this day of never taking part in a halved match in 56 games!). After a well-deserved evening meal, not to mention a soupcon or two of alcoholic refreshment, the trophy that Paul had prevailed upon Steve Matheson (the senior Inland Revenue manager responsible for both offices) to donate was presented to the winning EK Captain, Alan Paterson (Paul's brother-in-law). In addition, golf balls were presented to the winner(s) of each individual game, a novelty then but now a 'tradition' that continues to this day.

Whilst from an historical record standpoint the result of the match (a win for EK) was significant, of far more lasting importance and certainly more memorable was the fact that Paul's original 'raison d'etre' for the occasion had been completely fulfilled and vindicated i.e. maintenance of existing and creation of new friendships. Although a very long and tiring day, with both teams travelling to & from Penrith on the day (actually the early hours of the following day by the time Paul had dragged Bernie away from the bar and driven back to Liverpool), it was agreed by all that it had been extremely successful and that it was worthwhile continuing the match on an annual basis for as long as interest continued. As they chatted amiably together on their way home, little did the founder & organiser realise what had been let loose!

Due to reorganisation within the IT Department, almost half the LCS Golfing Society members, together with some from EK, were transferred to a new office in Telford during 1981 but that year's competition still took place in September with LCS exacting revenge upon EK in another enjoyable encounter. Significant interest had been generated in the competition with a further 3 golfers from LCS not participating in the match also making the journey to Penrith. In addition, although ostensibly horrendously busy in setting up the new office in Telford, Paul Booth, ably aided and abetted by John Cockcroft, had ensured that the IR (Telford) Golfing Society had been formed at an early juncture and it was agreed that the 1982 match should be a 3-way match between EK, Telford & LCS Societies. Some doubts were expressed as to the suitability of the match being between 3 teams but the organiser assured everyone a format could easily be devised ensuring that each Society played the same number of games against the others without, in any way, compromising the original objectives of the competition.

In Biblical terms.... And so it came to pass. The 1982 encounter was a 3-way affair, continuing to comprise teams of 8, with Telford continuing the tradition of winning the trophy at the earliest opportunity. All 3 Societies had thus won the Matheson Trophy once in the first three years of competition, the last time such equality of success (or anything vaguely resembling equality) occurred. The addition of a third team, if anything, heightened the enjoyment experienced by those competing and the format devised by the organiser actually enhanced and encouraged the fulfilment of the objective to maintain and enhance friendship(s) between the competitors. So successful was the format introduced that it was used with only very minor alteration continuously by the 3 Societies until 2014 when, out of necessity (about which, more later) it had to change.

Interest in the competition continued to increase and in 1985 composition of each team was increased from 8 to 12 golfers. In addition, individuals from all Societies were, outwith the main competition, playing golf separately earlier in the week at other courses and staying in Cumbria until the Saturday morning following the match. By the time of the 1991 match, interest and competition were so keen that it was felt that it would be useful to explore the feasibility of it becoming a 2-day event. All of this was 'meat & drink' to Paul & Bernie who, by then, were the only individuals to have attended every year's competition, a statistic that continues to this day, although Paul, uniquely, has competed in every match.

A small sub-committee was formed and it was agreed the 1992 event should be over 2 days. Due to the lateness of this being determined and associated booking(s), it was only possible for 18-holes Fourballs to be played at Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club on the Thursday with the traditional 36 holes at the 'spiritual' home of the competition, Penrith Golf Club. These comprised 18-holes Foursomes followed by 18-holes Singles. Once again, the new development was embraced enthusiastically and it was agreed to continue the 2-day competition. 1993 saw 36-holes played at Penrith with the additional 18-holes on Thursday morning being Greensomes. This format (Day 1 - Greensomes followed by Fourballs; Day 2 - Foursomes followed by Singles) has been retained ever since, save for occasional swapping of Greensomes and Foursomes to accommodate 'tight' turnaround times.

1994 saw the introduction of a squad system by Telford, a development also embraced by both other Societies by 1996 which led to even more people being in attendance for the competition. Squads tended to be limited to 16, of whom 12 play in each series of games, although in exceptional circumstances (see Silver Jubilee tour details below) up to 23 have comprised a squad! 1994 was also the first occasion that prizes (normally bottles of malt whisky) were presented to the winners of special competitions e.g. nearest the pin, longest drive, etc.

Billy Macgettigan, an LCS Society member who had embraced the ‘spirit’ of the competition as much as anybody before or since, sadly died suddenly in July 1993. At the time of his death he had monies lodged with the Society for future outings and his family, not wanting the funds, requested that a trophy be purchased for whatever purpose. After much discussion between all 3 Societies, it was agreed that it would be called the Absent Friends Trophy and awarded annually, at the discretion of the 3 Captains, to an individual in recognition of a significant contribution to the spirit and ethos of the competition either in that particular year or over a number of years. The name of the trophy is especially poignant in that, without being a ‘memorial’ to any individual, it prompts those present, including the recipient, to remember all those whose company we are unable to enjoy that year for whatever reason, be it family or work commitments, illness or, indeed and most sadly of all, death. The trophy was first presented in 1995 and, as agreed at the outset, awarded annually thereafter. It is certainly true to say that, without exception, every recipient has been extremely ‘moved’ by being honoured with its presentation.

1997 saw the fifth occasion when both days had been played at Penrith and it was felt that 72- holes at the same course every year was perhaps too much and the possibility of rotating play on other courses on the Thursday of competition be explored. This was agreed and Brampton, Silloth & Carlisle Golf Clubs have all hosted Thursday competition with Penrith hosting Friday competition every year with only one exception. This was in 1993 when, due to inclement (it was absolutely horrendous) weather, the course was closed and the Singles series of games was transferred to Crosby-on-Eden Golf Club at very short notice. This is one of only 2 occasions (plus one day of the Pearl Tour) that a session has been lost to weather in 34 matches, pretty remarkable for the Lake District at the best of times but, especially, in September!

In preparation for 2000, Paul & Bernie, or the 'Founding Fathers' as they are affectionately known in some quarters, decided that the new millennium should be commemorated in some special fashion, not to mention that it was also the competitions 'coming of age' i.e. 21st year. It was agreed that, whilst the main competition should remain over 2 days, the event would be extended to 5 days with each Society sponsoring a competition on the Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday at Keswick, Brampton & Carlisle respectively. This year also saw the first appearance of a young Scot, Stevie Hughes, who was destined to have a highly significant impact upon the competition.

In addition, 2000 being such a momentous year, it was felt that the original trophy was looking a little 'battered and worn' and should be replaced by a new one. This was done and after considerable agonising was named the 'Cumbria Cup'. Finally, in recognition of the invaluable (also read essential) contribution that Penrith Golf Club had made to the competition, it was determined that a presentation be made to the Club. Accordingly, the then Captain & Secretary were invited to the traditional presentation dinner on the Friday evening when the Club were presented with a bench, to be situated behind the 6^th green, purchased jointly by all 3 Societies.

The rotation of courses for the series of games on Thursday brought the competition back to Penrith for both days in 2002. This, to date, probably represents the lowest point of the competition's history with many people re-iterating the comments made back in 1997 regarding the undesirability of playing the same course four times in less than 36 hours. After discussion it was agreed that, especially as Friday's series of games were always held there, Penrith be removed from the rotation of courses for the Thursday series of games. This has now been done for over 10 years with interest and enjoyment not seeming to have diminished at all.

The whole week of the Millennium Tour had been enjoyed immensely by all attending and it was agreed that a further week-long jamboree should be organised in 2004 to celebrate our Silver Jubilee. This was done and significantly well attended with Telford selecting from a largest-ever squad comprising 23 members, all of whom played in at least one series of games. All Societies also had individuals attending who, whilst participating in some of the subsidiary competitions earlier in the week at Southerness, Brampton or Silloth, had not been selected as part of their Society's Cumbria Cup squad. It was therefore, given this level of interest, further agreed that week-long tours should be arranged in the future at 5-yearly intervals. The early days of the Pearl Tour in 2009 were scheduled for Dumfries & County, Lochmaben (unfortunately ‘rained off’) and Powfoot with Dumfries & County (again), Southerness & Brampton scheduled to host the early part of the Coral Tour in 2014.

For many years now the basic format of the main competition has remained unaltered viz. 3 Societies, 2 days during which one series of Greensomes, Fourballs, Foursomes and Singles games are contested with 12 players from each Society playing each series of games in accordance with the ‘template’ drawn up by the organiser back in 1982. This tried and trusted method had stood the test of time until…..

In 2003, the aforementioned Stevie Hughes emigrated to Portland, Oregon, USA but, as he enjoyed this competition so much, he had returned to the UK each September to compete in the Cumbria Cup. In mid-2013, he was aware that discussions were already under way in respect of the Coral Tour, to celebrate the 35^th staging of the event in 2014. He had enthused about the competition with his fellow-members at Pumpkin Ridge to such an extent that some of them wished to join him on his annual pilgrimage to Cumbria. He, therefore, contacted the Founding Fathers to explore the possibility of firstly a team from Pumpkin Ridge joining the 3 Societies for the Coral Tour and secondly being able to compete as a fourth team in the Cumbria Cup.

Once again, much discussion took place about principle, logistics, format, timing, etc. but it was agreed that the participation of a team from Pumpkin Ridge was entirely in keeping with the main objective of the competition of maintaining and establishing friendship(s) and that an invitation would be extended for them to compete. This was accepted and, after over 30 years without amendment, the organiser was prevailed upon to devise a new template that would ensure fair and equitable competition between 4 teams.

Some have always regarded the competition as ‘International’ with teams from England & Scotland taking part from the outset but even the staunchest ‘unionists’ could not disagree that, with 13 players travelling many thousands of miles from Pumpkin Ridge, Oregon, the 2014 encounter is truly international with a team from the USA taking part.

It is to the founder’s enormous and everlasting credit that his foresight in June 1980, together with his commitment to fostering his original objective(s) by competing in every match and greeting every person who has ever competed in the Matheson Trophy and/or Cumbria Cup, has ensured that the competition continues to expand and is as keenly anticipated, if not more so, in 2014 as it was back in 1980. Long may the Cumbria Cup continue to flourish as a vehicle for fierce competition but, above all, for friendship.

© B T Fleming, August 2014