The Llandudno International Golf Trophy was a professional team match play golf tournament that was played at the Maesdu Golf Club from 28 to 30 September 1938. The tournament was contested between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. It was intended to be the first of a series of matches but the Second World War interrupted these plans and the contests were not restarted after the war. England won the tournament by winning all their three matches against the other teams.
The Maesdu Golf Club joined with the local Llandudno council to stage the tournament with the idea of promoting tourism in the area.
A Triangular Professional Tournament with a similar format but involving only Scotland, Ireland and Wales had been contested at Cawder Golf Club near Glasgow from 21 to 23 October 1937. This was won by Scotland with Wales second and Ireland third."Scotland win - Tournament at Cawder". The Times, Monday, 25 October 1937; pg. 8; Issue 47824.
The concept of a professional home nations contest was tried again in 1967 with the R.T.V. International Trophy.
Trophy Llandudno council presented a silver trophy to the P.G.A. for the winning team. Percy Alliss, the captain of the English team, took possession of the trophy. During Alliss's later years, the trophy was returned to the P.G.A. and was then used as the trophy for the PGA Cup which started in 1973.
Format The tournament was played over three days with each team playing the other three. There were 5 foursomes matches in the morning and 10 singles in the afternoon. All matches were over 18 holes.
Teams The following played in at least one match: England: Percy Alliss (Captain), Freddie Beck, Dick Burton, Don Curtis, Bert Gadd, Sam King, Arthur Lacey, Arthur Lees, Alf Padgham, Eddie Whitcombe Scotland: Jimmy Adams (Captain), Hamish Ballingall, William Davis, Allan Dailey, Tom Dobson, Sydney Fairweather, John Fallon, Tom Haliburton, Willie Hastings, George Hutton, Gregor McIntosh Ireland: Paddy Mahon (Captain), Harry Bradshaw, Joe Carroll, Fred Daly, Joe Edgar, Willie Holley, Bill Kinsella, Joe McCartney, John McKenna, Willie Nolan, Philip Stevenson Wales: Tom Jones (Captain), Chris Grabham, Tom Green, Fred Healing, Frank Hill, Bert Hodson, D. C. Jones, Fred Lloyd, Charles Pickett, Dai Rees, Ken Williams
Tom Green had played for England in the 1935 England–Scotland Professional Match.
Results Matches Wednesday 28 September "Professional Matches - The first day". The Times, Thursday, 29 September 1938; pg. 5; Issue 48112.
Team Score Team Score Halved Scotland 9 Ireland 4 2 England 10 Wales 4 1
Thursday 29 September "Professional Matches - England and Scotland win". The Times, Friday, 30 September 1938; pg. 4; Issue 48113.
Team Score Team Score Halved England 11 Ireland 3 1 Scotland 9 Wales 5 1
Friday 30 September "Professional Matches - England's success". The Times, Saturday, 1 October 1938; pg. 5; Issue 48114.
Team Score Team Score Halved England 11 Scotland 4 0 Ireland 6 Wales 5 4
Final table Team Matches Individual games Won Lost Won Lost Halved England 3 0 32 11 2 Scotland 2 1 22 20 3 Ireland 1 2 13 25 7 Wales 0 3 14 25 6
References