Competition History
History
The Golf Competition had its origins over 90 years ago.
The competition started when a group of Masons who were members of Portadown Golf Club formed a society to have a friendly round and support the Masonic Charities at the same time.
The society was named The Portadown Masonic Golfers Association and a silver cup was put up as first prize. The first competition for this trophy was played in 1930 and was won by Val Wilson.
The cup is still competed for today and is presented to the top scorer by a member of Portadown Golf Club. This year’s winner was Derek McCoy.
The competition started when a group of Masons who were members of Portadown Golf Club formed a society to have a friendly round and support the Masonic Charities at the same time.
The society was named The Portadown Masonic Golfers Association and a silver cup was put up as first prize. The first competition for this trophy was played in 1930 and was won by Val Wilson.
The cup is still competed for today and is presented to the top scorer by a member of Portadown Golf Club. This year’s winner was Derek McCoy.
The competition was broadened to include Masons belonging to a Lodge in the Masonic
Province of Armagh. Another silver cup was provided by the Province and was called the
Benevolent Cup.
The earliest record of this trophy is 1938. Derek also won this year’s event.
The competition was broadened further with the addition of a team competition where the
three best cards from Members of the same Lodge were the winners. The winners receive
the Dougan Sword which is an ornate ceremonial sword and scabbard. The sword was
presented by V W Bro George Dougan who was a local GP and Provincial Officer.
The current holders are Lodge 134, Lurgan who have made a habit of winning it in recent
years.
Visitors were made welcome for these annual events and again the Province supplied a
silver cup named the Visitors Cup and was presented for the first time in 1967, when the
winner was Bro. Griffith from Lodge 503, Ballyward. The current holder is Robert Gibson of Lodge 94,
Dromore, Co. Down.
Ladies are always welcomed to compete in this annual event and although no trophy
exists at present, it doesn’t detract from their participation. This year’s winner was Thelma
Monteith.
Visitors, who are not yet Masons, are always welcomed and have their own separate
competition and who knows may become Masons some day.
The main purpose of the event is of course to support both Masonic and non-Masonic
charities. The event has attracted very generous sponsorship over the years from various
sources, Lodges within the Province and individual donations from Brethren. This has
allowed support to be given to non-Masonic Charities such as Air Ambulance NI, Children
to Lapland Trust, Daisy Lodge, Newcastle, Southern Area Hospice and many more.
The Competition has remained at Portadown Golf Club over the years and we look
forward to maintaining this excellent venue in the years ahead.