The Biggles Cup
Past Venues and Results
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The Biggles Cup
The Official History
Some History of the Trophy
The Biggles Cup trophy is truly magnificent as you can see in the image to the right. It was forged in Sheffield and dates back to 1910. The assayer's mark is unclear and, as such, we do not know the actual purity of the silver beyond it being very high.
The hallmarks identify the silversmith who made the trophy as being Roberts & Belk. The firm remainder within the Belk family until 1961 when it was sold to London silversmith's C J Vander.
The recent repair, effected by Biggles co-founder Tom Dowden, included polishing and re-engraving to match the font used in the early 20th century. this was undertaken by a master jeweller in Asheville, NC giving yet another dimension to the spirit of the trophy.
The History of the Biggles Cup - by the Founders
A message from David Batts - UK co-founder from 2013
Tom and I are delighted to know that The Biggles tradition, which we founder more than a quarter of a century ago, is to live on under new leadership. We are honoured to have been instrumental in creating a golfing society where the common aim is not to let golf get in the way of comradeship and having fun.
We have appointed two new captains who in turn have recruited new blood to represent both sides for their first encounter over the famous links of Northern Ireland. we hope and expect that you will all be enriched through the friendships that will no doubt develop during the heat of battle.
A message from Tom Dowden - US co-founder (posted in the front of the first brochure)
Golf tradition is sometimes born in lofty places as well as from high ideals. On board our 'Masters Special' aeroplane, enroute from Augusta to Atlanta, Georgia in 1986, the suggestion was madly my British visitors, that a golf competition be established between them and their associates and a group of Americans, to be first played in Scotland in 1987. I readily agreed and plans were begun.
We are about to see the fruition of those plans as we embark upon the Biggles Cup matches over what are arguably teh greatest golf courses in the world. This competition does not rank highly in the grand scheme of human endeavour, yet golf and friendships have a life of their own. Who is to say that well-intentioned amateur golfers, and gentlemen, cannot create a tradition that is important and will endure.
Someone said that the British and Americans are one people, separated only by a common language. While that may be so, the great sport of golf is truly our common link. If, by the end of an exciting week of competition and camaraderie we can agree to do it all over again in 1988 or 1989, on American soil, then this modest beginning may well be worth the considerable efforts that have gone into this inaugural event.
Well, we did do it again in 1988 and in 1989. As you will see in the brochure we also met on many further occasions, playing more than sixty courses on both sides of the 'pond' over the years.