The 34th Hamilton Cup was hosted by Kirby Muxloe Golf Club, Leicestershire, from 3rd–5th September, with teams competing from Biarritz and Pau (France), Kennemer (Holland), Tenby, and Kirby Muxloe.
Practice Day – Wednesday
The opening day gave all competitors a chance to get to grips with the tree-lined course. For Tenby, two challenges stood out: the sheer number of trees, and the tightly watered approaches to the greens. Their trademark “putting from well off the green” tactic was soon ruled out as a viable option!
Day One – Thursday Fourball Betterball Stableford
After a tough start, Tenby quickly adjusted. In testing conditions of high winds and heavy showers, they rose to the top of the leaderboard with 110 points, narrowly edging Biarritz on 109. Star performers were Rhian Walters and Rob Morgan, who returned an excellent 38 points despite the weather.
Day Two – Friday Singles Stableford
Friday’s singles round would decide the trophy. Although the skies cleared, scoring remained difficult thanks to swirling gusts, and perhaps the generous quantities of beer and wine enjoyed by the players on the preceding evenings.
With each team fielding eight players and the best six scores counting, consistency was key. The front nine proved decisive, as many competitors faded on the way home, with hard-luck stories soon retold in the clubhouse. Tenby fared better than most: nearly every player broke 30 points, a mark envied by the other sides. Rhian Walters once again led the way with a superb 38, securing the medal for best individual Stableford score of the day. Rob Morgan, Linda Tordoff Evans, Ann Collins, Ian Duke, and Brian Jones all made vital contributions to ensure a strong team finish.
Results and Reflections
The Hamilton Cup is about much more than competition, it’s a celebration of friendship and great golf. That said, victory tasted sweet as Tenby secured the title with a commanding total of 316 points, well clear of Kirby Muxloe (302), Biarritz (286), Kennemer (274), and Pau (261). Tenby will now look forward to defending their crown in the beautiful city of Biarritz in 2026.
A heartfelt thank you to Kirby Muxloe GC for their outstanding hospitality across the three days, from the warm welcome reception to the celebratory dinner, with food and organisation of the highest order.
Finally, special thanks go to Linda Tordoff Evans for organising the Tenby team, and to all those who gave their time to represent the club: Steve Evans (one of the original event organisers back in 1990), Dinah and Richard Reed, Ian Duke, Ann and Wyndham Collins, Rhian Walters, Rob Morgan, and Brian Jones.