History
The proud tradition of the Rusty Cup dates back as far as late 2006, when David ‘Rusty’ Crawford first conceived the idea. He envisaged a golf tournament where two teams are pitted against each other in an epic battle for supremacy. A golf tournament where passions would be roused, friendships would be forged, scores would be settled, and golf buggies would be driven.
It was a startlingly original idea, and yet so blindingly simple.
And so the Rusty Cup was born and within 6 months the first Rusty Cup had been played on the hallowed turf of the Wynyard Golf Club, Billingham. The team Captains of that first tournament were ‘Rusty’ Crawford himself, and David Hirst. In the end the tournament was won 7.5-6.5 by Team Hirst after a tense and memorable final day’s play.
As time has passed the Rusty Cup has gradually evolved into the Great Britain vs Ireland clash that we all know and love today. It has also developed into a major event, attracting media attention from around the world.
The European Tour still refuses to count the Rusty Cup as a ranking event, but they are under severe pressure from both Rusty Cup lobbyists and overwhelming public opinon to change their stance.
So thank you Rusty Crawford – you did the world a great service on that fateful day in 2006. God bless you. And God bless the Rusty Cup!