Cup History
History of the Riversdale Cup:
The Riversdale Cup is the nation's second oldest amateur golf tournament. It is often regarded as one of the most prestigious 72-hole stroke events on the golfing calendar.
Rated in the top 50 amateur tournaments in the world by the Royal & Ancient, the Cup lives up to its reputation each year as one of the toughest challenges of golf to the best amateur golfers throughout the world.
Its reputation is such that over 200 players from all round the world seek a berth in the final field of160 players each year. On most occasions the "cut" is around the 1 handicap mark, thus ensuring some of finest amateurs get a chance to test their skills on the tough undulating fairways and the fast, contoured greens.
In winning the prestigious cup, the champion not only adds his name to the list of some of the finest players to have graced the game, but also receives an invitation to play in the British Amateur Championship; gains points for entry to the European Amateur Championship; and towards the Mark H McCormack Medal. This medal is presented annually by the R&A to the leading player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The Riversdale Cup’s origins date back to May 22-25 1896,when it was played at the Club's Mont Albert Course; making it second only by two years to the Australian Amateur Championship in historic terms.
The Cup was first played as an “Open Amateur Meeting” when the Club was known as "Surrey Hills Golf Club". It was then called the "Surrey Hills Gentlemen's Championship, Gold Medal". When the Club moved to Camberwell in 1907, the club changed its name to the "Riversdale Golf Club" and in 1908, the tounament took the title, the "Riversdale Trophy”.
This remained until 1927 when the Club moved to its present St John's Wood home, and in the following year the tournament was given the name, the "Riversdale Cup".
The successful staging of the tournament for more than 100 years has earned the Riversdale Golf Club the reputation as the “home” of amateur golf in Australia. In February and March each year, the club not only hosts the Men’s and Women’s Riversdale Cups, but also the Men’s and Women’s Australian Amateur Foursome Championships and the International Teams event.
Cnr Huntingdale & High Street Rds, Mt Waverley Vic 3149, Tel: (03) 9807 1411, info@riversdalegolf.com.au