The 65th edition of the Hudson Cup Matches concluded October 25 at Pumpkin Ridge GC – Witch Hollow course in North Plains, OR. The professional team beat the amateurs 12 1/2 points to 7 ½ in the 65th Hudson Cup Matches. In the 22nd edition of the Senior Hudson Cup, the professionals earned a narrow victory against the amateurs with a two day point total of 10 1/2 to 9 1/2. The Charles Congdon Award went to Tim Tucker and the Larry Lamberger Award was presented to Scott Erdmann. In the Senior Matches, The Bill Eggers Award was presented to Tom Brandes while Steve Bowen was bestowed the Bob McKendrick Award.
The Hudson Cup Matches were created in honor of Robert Hudson of Portland Golf Club in 1949. This event pairs the top 10 PNW PGA Members against the top 10 PNW amateurs for the 65th Hudson Cup Matches; the top 10 PNW PGA Senior Members competed against the top 10 Senior PNW amateurs for the 22nd Senior Hudson Cup Matches.
Robert A. Hudson was a very successful Portland businessman whose firm, Hudson House, was one of the nation’s leading wholesale grocers. Hudson played golf at Portland Golf Club and was devoted to the game. During World War II, the PGA of America was trying to keep its Tour alive and was in dire need of sponsors. Hudson stepped up to the plate with the urging of Larry Lamberger, Portland Golf Club head professional, and offered to underwrite a 72-hole open tournament with a purse of $10,000. Thus the 1944 Portland Open was born, and Sam Snead won it. Hudson stayed with the program and went on to sponsor the 1945 Portland Open (in which Ben Hogan set the 72-par 72-hole scoring record of 27-under-par 261) and the 1946 PGA Championship, won by Hogan. Hudson went on to sponsor Portland Opens in 1948 and 1949 and the Western Open in 1955, all at Portland Golf Club, and he became the first chairman of the PGA Advisory Committee.
The Professionals have won 54 of the 64 matches against the amateurs, losing only 6 and tying 4 matches. The Professionals last lost in 2011 at Oswego Lake CC.
While the Professionals have been dominating the Hudson Cup Matches in recent years, the Senior Hudson Cup Matches have also been winning. The Senior Professionals have won 20 of 21 Matches in the 21 year history. The matches were tied in 1994 at Sand Point G&CC for the third Hudson Cup Matches.
CLICK HERE to view results of the 65th Hudson Cup Matches & 22nd Senior Hudson Cup Matches.