History of the Governor’s Legacy Golf Trophy

In August 1935, the President of Sydney Legacy arranged with a number of Sydney metropolitan golf clubs for each to stage a golf day to assist Sydney Legacy finances. Each year the individual golf day winners would play off in a final for a trophy donated by the proprietors of Glen Kinchie Whisky known as “The Golfers Armistice Cup”.

The first of these finals was held at the original Bonnie Doon Golf Course (now Kogarah Golf Club) on Armistice Day (11 November) 1935. The first final was won by Ray Dunlop of Manly Golf Club. In the early days of the finals, Legatee Harry C. Durant, a returned WW1 Australian Flying Corps veteran, would fly overhead and, shortly after 11am, “flour bomb” the course signalling the start. That year, Legacy benefited to the extent of 150 Pounds in donations from participating clubs.

“The Golfers Armistice Cup” Tournament became an annual event. Two of the founders of the Legacy organising committee were Legatees Harry Hawkeswood of The Royal Sydney Golf Club and Jimmy Reid-Hill of The Australian Golf Club. A Golf Fund was established and Trustees were appointed.

In 1946 Sydney Legacy established the James Archbold Memorial Home, at Roseville, as a hostel for girls. The Trustees accepted the responsibility of raising the necessary funds to maintain the home estimated at 2000 Pounds per annum. In that year the title of the event was changed to “The Golfers Legacy Cup”.

In later years the Trustees accepted the additional responsibility of funding the operations of Milne Legacy House (to temporarily accommodate children unable to reside with their mothers) and Lady Gowrie House (accommodation for elderly widows) both located at Strathfield.

In 1968, shortly after he became the Governor of NSW, Sir Roden Cutler, VC, AK, KCMG, KCVO, CBE (the first World War II ex-serviceman to join Sydney Legacy) agreed to rename the trophy “The Governor’s Legacy Golf Trophy”. Subsequent Governors have generously continued to give their Patronage to the Trophy and present it to the winner.

In 2012 this long-standing arm of Sydney Legacy changed its name to the Golfers’ Legacy Panel.

For more than 60 years at a date near Remembrance Day, the Governor’s Golf Day has been held in alternate years at The Australian and The Royal Sydney Golf Clubs. Sydney Legacy deeply appreciates the generosity of the Members of these Clubs.

The members of over 40 golf clubs from the greater Sydney metropolitan area and country areas currently support the Golfers’ Legacy Panel and in recent years contributions have averaged around $350,000 per annum. In 2023, more than $400,000 was donated. Over the years, the supporting Golf Clubs have contributed donations in excess of $8 million.