The Carey Cup

Have you heard about The Carey Cup?

From the Metropolitan Golf Association:

In the fall of 1990, a team of amateurs from the Golfing Union of Ireland came to compete against the MGA. Known then as the first Metedeconk International Challenge Cup, the concept can be credited to Metedeconk National Golf Club founders Richard and Herbert Sambol and perennial club champion and international golfer Finbarr Kiely. The MGA won its first encounter with the GUI, but were not so fortunate when invited to Waterville, Ireland in 1992.

The competition resumed in its present form in 1996 after former New York Governor Hugh L. Carey spearheaded the revival of the matches. Carey donated a silver claret jug which serves as the official trophy to foster commerce between the two countries and to promote sportsmanship and goodwill through friendly competition. Named the Carey Cup, the first installment was held at the spectacular Hudson National Golf Club, where the MGA won back the title.

The matches have continued biennially, and a change to the format was made in 2021 with the addition of four women to each team, making it ten-person teams playing a Walker Cup-style competition featuring Four-ball, Foursomes, and Singles matches at some of the best courses in Ireland and the Met Area. A spot on this prestigious team is one of the most sought-after accomplishments for Met Area competitors.

Tremont recently shared this video featuring their founder Christian Cavaliere

2025 Recap by MGA:

ELMSFORD, N.Y. (October 17, 2025) — Wins in seven of 12 singles matches secured the 12.5 – 9.5 victory in the 18th Carey Cup for the MGA over Golf Ireland, Friday at Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin, Ireland.

The MGA’s women continued momentum from their perfect 4-0 performance in foursomes and four-balls on Thursday, capturing four of five singles matches. Rayee Feng of Fiddler’s Elbow and Hana Ku of Meadow Brook captured the first two by 3-and-2 and 1-up margins, while Corinna Limbocker of Tuxedo narrowly dropped her match, as Kate Lanigan took the 1-up win for the hosts.

Catherine McEvoy of Innis Arden and Ina Kim-Schaad of Deepdale both added convincing victories, both winning by 4-and-3 margins.

The hosts took the edge in the seven men’s matches, taking four contests. Mark Costanza of Baltusrol earned a 6-and-5 win, while Christian Cavaliere of Hudson National and Darin Goldstein of Deepdale tacked on 2-up and 1-up wins, respectively.

The victory is just the second time the MGA has claimed an outright win on foreign soil in the matches, with the last coming in 2013 at The European Club. Each of the last two matches in Ireland resulted in ties.

The all-time record in the matches now moves to 8-7-3 in favor of Ireland. However, the MGA has held the upper hand as of late, going 5-1-2 since 2011. The MGA has maintained possession of the Carey Cup since 2019, its longest stretch in the event’s history.

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.

The MGA will welcome Golf Ireland in 2027, with the 19th Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup taking place at The Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.