Carey Cup Tees off Tuesday
COUNTY KILDARE, IRELAND (October 11, 2021) -- The Metropolitan Golf Association and Golf Ireland square off October 12-13 in the 16th Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup. An expansion of the teams from 6 members to 10 highlights the competition's biggest format change since its inception in 1990, as four women's competitors have been added for both sides.
Related: Matches/Scoring | Meet Team MGA | Carey Cup History
Teams are continuing the event's tradition of camaraderie at Carton House, competing on the Montgomerie Course over two days with 20 points up for grabs to decide a victor. The first day features both four-ball and foursomes competition, while day two concludes the matches with singles play.
The MGA's 10-person squad features an accomplished group of competitors: Mark Costanza of Hamilton Farm, Garett Engel of Old Westbury, Megha Ganne of Colts Neck, Sam Goldenring of Brooklake, Darin Goldstein of Deepdale, Alexis Hios of Westchester, Ina Kim-Schaad of Deepdale, Noelle Maertz of Ridgewood, Trevor Randolph of Arcola, and Brad Tilley of Sleepy Hollow.
Goldstein, Randolph and Tilley--who were all part of team MGA's exciting come-from-behind victory in 2019 at Arcola--along with past French-American Challenge competitors Ganne and Kim-Schaad all come with past MGA international team experience, while Costanza, Engel, Goldenring, Hios and Maertz are making their first international team appearances.
Golf Ireland's lineup includes Marc Boucher of Carton House, Hugh Foley of Royal Dublin, Paula Grant of Lisburn, David Kitt of Athenry, Richard Knightly of Royal Dublin, Kate Lanigan of Hermitage, Robert Moran of Castle, Rachel Thompson of Cork, Aideen Walsh of Lahinch, and Jake Whelan of Grange.
The Carey Cup – which originated as the Metedeconk International Challenge Cup – was first played in 1990. The teams played once again in Ireland in 1992 but did not meet in 1994. In 1996, the matches were conducted again thanks to an effort spearheaded by the late Governor Hugh L. Carey, who envisioned the matches as an opportunity to foster sportsmanship and goodwill between the countries. Ever since, the matches have been played in his honor with a spirit of camaraderie and competition.
Golf Ireland was established in 2019 following an overwhelming endorsement by Ireland’s golf clubs. It became operational in January 2021, succeeding the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) and the Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) to become the single governing body for golf in Ireland.
The event kicks off on Monday, October 11 with an "Am-Am," in which each of the MGA and Golf Ireland players will be paired with three amateurs in a best ball competition.
Carton House’s Montgomerie Course has hosted three Irish Opens (2013, 2006 and 2005) and the 2018 World Amateur Team Championships. Designed by Colin Montgomerie, the course was awarded “Best New Design of the Year” by Golf World when it opened in 2004. The Carey Cup was played at Carton House in 2005; the Irish defeated the MGA to win the cup. The all-time record stands at 8-5-2 in favor of the Irish, but the MGA owns a 3-1-1 lead in the last five playings.