MGA vs. GOLF IRELAND
In 2021, the Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup receives its most notable format change to date, expanding teams from six members to 10 with the addition of four women’s competitors to both sides. With the change, teams will now compete for 20 points, instead of 12, in determining the winning side.
Golf Ireland was established in 2019 and became operational in January 2021, succeeding the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) and the Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) as the single governing body for golf in Ireland.
HISTORY
The MGA and the then Golfing Union of Ireland first faced off in the fall of 1990, in what was then known as the Metedeconk International Challenge Cup. The competition resumed in 1996 after former New York Governor Hugh L. Carey spearheaded the revival of the matches and 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.
While the all-time record stands at 8-5-2 in favor of the Irish, the MGA owns a 3-1-1 lead in the last five playings.
Right: Past Carey Cup competitor John Baldwin and Governor Carey with the Carey Cup.
MEET THE TEAM
Mark Costanza | 32 | Hamilton Farm
- 2020 MGA Player of the Year
- 2020 Ike MGA Stroke Play Champion
- 1st MGA International Team
Garrett Engel | 37 | Old Westbury
- 2021 Met Amateur Champion
- 2021 Long Island Amateur Semifinalist
- 1st MGA International Team
Megha Ganne | 17 | Colts Neck
- Low Amateur, 2021 U.S. Women's Open
- 2019 U.S. Women's Amateur Semifinalist
- 2nd MGA International Team
Sam Goldenring | 23 | Brooklake
- 2019 NCAA DIII Individual Champion
- 2020 MGA Player of the Year Honor Roll
- 1st MGA International Team
Darin Goldstein | 39 | Deepdale
- 2018 MGA Player of the Year
- Runner-Up 2021 Long Island Amateur, Long Island Open (Low Amateur)
- 6th MGA International Team
Alexis Hios | 25 | Westchester
- 2021 WMGA Amateur Stroke Play Champion
- 2021 WMGA Amateur Match Play Champion
- 1st MGA International Team
Ina Kim-Schaad | 38 | Deepdale
- 2019 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Champion
- 3x WMGA/MGA Women's Met Amateur Champion
- 2nd MGA International Team
Noelle Maertz | 27 | Ridgewood
- Runner-Up WMGA Amateur Match Play Championship
- Top-10 Finish in Women's Met Open
- 1st MGA International Team
Trevor Randolph | 48 | Arcola
- 2021 Met Amateur Runner-Up
- 2x MGA Mid-Amateur Champion
- 7th MGA International Team
Brad Tilley | 38 | Sleepy Hollow
- 2021 Richardson Memorial Champion
- Swept 2019 New York, Westchester & Metropolitan Mid-Amateur Championships
- 3rd MGA International Team
