Competition History
Competition History
Having recognised the credibility of such a regular charity event, the District Charity Committee would have then sought a suitable trophy to be played for annually.
Representatives from the Committee are known to have made an approach to Right Wor. Bro. David Ferris to acquire a suitable trophy for the event.
It is believed that Right Wor. Bro. Ferris, being a committed and dedicated Freemason and abiding by its charitable principles, lifted a magnificent sterling silver cup from a nearby piece of furniture and presented it to those making the inquiry.In the early days the competition was confined to the Newry District, but after the donation of the Cup in 1944, popularity increased resulting in more golfers competing in this wonderful annual event.
At this time the Ferris Cup could only be won by the highest scoring member of the Masonic Order who was a member of a Lodge from the Newry District, but as support was received from members of Lodges across the Province of Down and beyond, it was agreed that there should be no geographical boundary and a member of the Order from any Province would be eligible to win the Cup.
Venues at which the competition was played include Greenore and Warrenpoint until it made its home in Kilkeel for many years, later being moved to Tandragee and latterly, to Lisburn.
Over the years many non Masonic charities have benefited from the success of the competition, including Help for Heroes, RNLI, Macmillan Cancer Support, Southern Area Hospice, NI Chest Heart and Stroke, Marie Curie, Guide Dogs for the Blind, NI Children to Lapland Trust and Ovarian Cancer Research, to name but a few.
At this time the Ferris Cup could only be won by the highest scoring member of the Masonic Order who was a member of a Lodge from the Newry District, but as support was received from members of Lodges across the Province of Down and beyond, it was agreed that there should be no geographical boundary and a member of the Order from any Province would be eligible to win the Cup.
Venues at which the competition was played include Greenore and Warrenpoint until it made its home in Kilkeel for many years, later being moved to Tandragee and latterly, to Lisburn.
Over the years many non Masonic charities have benefited from the success of the competition, including Help for Heroes, RNLI, Macmillan Cancer Support, Southern Area Hospice, NI Chest Heart and Stroke, Marie Curie, Guide Dogs for the Blind, NI Children to Lapland Trust and Ovarian Cancer Research, to name but a few.
It has always been the belief of the competition organisers that, regardless of the numbers playing on the day, the true success of the competition has been measured in the help given to others.
The Ferris Cup Golf Competition will continue to support local causes and with the help of our golfing friends and the generosity of our sponsors, it is hoped this trend will continue for many years to come.
Thanks are also due to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down for their support in helping to promote the competition throughout the Province of Down and indeed, further afield.
History of the Ferris Cup Golf Competition
The facts surrounding the events leading to the first Ferris Cup Golf Competition may never fully come to light but it is generally accepted the Newry and District Masonic Charity Committee may have organised a charity golf event prior to the first formal Ferris Cup Competition.
Having recognised the credibility of such a regular charity
event, the District Charity Committee would have then sought a suitable trophy
to be played for annually.
Representatives from the Committee are known to have made an approach to Right Wor. Bro. David Ferris to acquire a suitable trophy for the event. It is believed that Right Wor. Bro. Ferris, being a committed and dedicated Freemason and abiding by its charitable principles, lifted a magnificent sterling silver cup from a nearby piece of furniture and presented it to those making the inquiry.
In the early days the competition was confined to the Newry
District, but after the donation of the Cup in 1944, popularity increased resulting
in more golfers competing in this wonderful annual event.
At this time the Ferris Cup could only be won by the highest scoring member of the Masonic Order who was a member of a Lodge from the Newry District, but as support was received from members of Lodges across the Province of Down and beyond, it was agreed that there should be no geographical boundary and a member of the Order from any Province would be eligible to win the Cup.
Venues at which the competition was played include Greenore and Warrenpoint until it made its home in Kilkeel for many years, later being moved to Tandragee and latterly, to Lisburn.
Over the years many non Masonic charities have benefited from the success of the competition, including Help for Heroes, RNLI, Macmillan Cancer Support, Southern Area Hospice, NI Chest Heart and Stroke, Marie Curie, Guide Dogs for the Blind, NI Children to Lapland Trust and Ovarian Cancer Research, to name but a few.
At this time the Ferris Cup could only be won by the highest scoring member of the Masonic Order who was a member of a Lodge from the Newry District, but as support was received from members of Lodges across the Province of Down and beyond, it was agreed that there should be no geographical boundary and a member of the Order from any Province would be eligible to win the Cup.
Venues at which the competition was played include Greenore and Warrenpoint until it made its home in Kilkeel for many years, later being moved to Tandragee and latterly, to Lisburn.
Over the years many non Masonic charities have benefited from the success of the competition, including Help for Heroes, RNLI, Macmillan Cancer Support, Southern Area Hospice, NI Chest Heart and Stroke, Marie Curie, Guide Dogs for the Blind, NI Children to Lapland Trust and Ovarian Cancer Research, to name but a few.
It has always been the belief of the competition organisers that, regardless of the numbers playing on the day, the true success of the competition has been measured in the help given to others.
The Ferris Cup Golf Competition will continue to support local causes and with the help of our golfing friends and the generosity of our sponsors, it is hoped this trend will continue for many years to come.
Thanks are also due to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down for their support in helping to promote the competition throughout the Province of Down and indeed, further afield.