Garrard Shield & Ralph Cup

The Garrard Shield is the longest standing and most prestigious golf trophy apart from the Interprovincial that Bay of Plenty is involved in.
Since 1954 the districts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay of Plenty have competed for this. Hosting of the trophy is on a rotational basis and always played on top courses.
Four years ago Mt.Maunganui hosted this event. Next year Royal Auckland (Middlemore) will be hosting. Tauranga last hosted the event in 1987.

Up until 2002 Bay of Plenty had never won the shield when we first had success at Waipu. That success has been repeated in 2003 at Ohope, 2006 at Mt.Denby, 2007 at Mt.Maunganui, 2008 at Pukekohe, 2009 at St.Andrews & 2010 at Waitangi. Team sizes have now been reduced to 8 men and played in conjunction with the Garrard is the Ralph Cup for Under 19 players.

Players all play in two ball and at the end of the weekend the President's of each district announce the teams that will represent their province at the Toro Interprovincial (this year at Poverty Bay Golf Club 22-26 November). This shield is also unique with the fact that the winning team members are also engraved onto the trophy. Legends of New Zealand golf such as Ted MacDougall, Ross Newdick, Walter Godfrey, Frank Nobilo, Phil Aickin, Terry Cochrane, Phil Tataurangi, David Smail, Michael Long, Richard Lee, Steve Alker and Danny Lee all feature.

Since 2002 Tauranga members to play in winning teams were: George Kinghorn, Josh Geary, Kevin Smith, Jared Pender & Andre Arthur. 

Teams arrive for their practice rounds on Friday 11 November and the draw for the weekend is:
Saturday 12 November am: Bay of Plenty v Northland, Waikato v Auckland
Saturday pm: Bay of Plenty v Waikato, Auckland v Northland
Sunday am: Bay of Plenty v Auckland, Waikato v Northland

Please feel free to come and watch the future of New Zealand Golf!