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by Molly Cooper, PGA - Director of Tournament and Member Programs
The 73rd Hudson Cup and 30th Senior Hudson Cup took place at Oswego Lake Country Club on October 14-15, 2021. This year’s matches were dedicated in honor of Sean Fredrickson, our fallen leader.
The Hudson Cup matches pairs the top 10 PNW PGA Professionals against the top 10 Pacific Northwest amateurs in matches patterned after the Ryder Cup. The Senior Hudson Cup matches were held concurrently, where the top 10 PNW PGA senior Professionals compete against the top 10 Pacific Northwest senior amateurs. The teams were selected based on their competitive records throughout the 2021 season and represent the very best of Northwest golf.
After the first day of the Hudson Cup matches, the professional team had a narrow lead with 6 points to the amateur team’s 4 points. The Senior Hudson Cup matches went into the final round with the amateurs leading 5 ½ to 4 ½ points. Going into the singles matches on Friday, the cups were still up for grabs.
As the Hudson Cup matches progressed in the singles matches, the professionals edged out a win; the final score for the two-day event was 10 ½ to 9 ½.
In the Senior Hudson Cup Matches, the professionals bested the amateur team with a narrow win of 11 to 9 points after the last match was completed.
We had just three players undefeated this year. Congratulations to PGA Professional Austin Hurt from Wing Point G&CC, PGA Professional Mark Knowles of McCormick Woods GC and amateur Mike Swingle of Aldarra GC for their stellar play.
Congratulations also to the award winners this year for their spectacular play! The 57th Chuck Congdon Award went to Nathan Cogswell; the 47th Larry Lamberger Award was presented to Austin Hurt. In the Senior Matches, the 30th Bill Eggers Award was won by Mike Swingle and Mark Knowles was bestowed the 30th Bob McKendrick Award. The awards are presented to the outstanding player on each team as decided by votes of the members of the opposite team. They honor four great historical players with outstanding Hudson Cup records.
Asked how it felt winning the Larry Lamberger award, Hurt said it was a “great honor.” “Playing alongside the most talented amateurs in the Pacific Northwest is a fantastic tradition,” he added. “Making the Hudson Cup is the goal at the beginning of each season and one that is always in the back of my head. I relish in the fact that we get to play with the Northwest’s best professionals as we continue to grow both personally and professionally.”
Mark Knowles shared, “It has been a goal of mine to qualify for the Hudson Cup teams for years. The experience of competing with fellow professionals and meeting so many great players has been extraordinary. I am very humbled to receive the Bob McKendrick award. This was my second Hudson Cup. I don’t have the words to express my appreciation for the history and tradition of the event. Very special experience for me!”
Nathan Cogswell mentioned, “I was extremely happy to have received the Charles Congdon award at this year’s Hudson Cup. It was a surprise, but it is truly an honor, and I am grateful to have had an opportunity to represent the amateur side. I hope to make many more teams in the future because you get to meet great people and make special memories!”
Thanks to the captains Bryan Tunstill, Brent Murray, Jay Poletiek and Denny Taylor for a wonderful job in helping make this year such an exciting and historical event!
Bryan Tunstill shared, “It was an honor to host the 73rd Hudson Cup matches at Oswego Lake CC. To captain the matches alongside someone that I respect greatly– Brent Murray–was a treat. The Professionals played their hearts out to squeak out a win against an extremely talented amateur team, coming down to the last singles match. We played the matches in honor of the late, great Sean Fredrickson, and in the end, his memory turned out to be the edge that led us to victory.”
Brent Murray mentioned, “I was both honored and excited to be asked to captain this year’s senior professional Hudson Cup team. It was especially nice having the matches at Oswego Lake CC where I spent most of my professional career.”
“The Hudson Cup matches are a great tribute to Robert Hudson and what he did for the golf world by saving the Ryder Cup matches during a difficult time in the world,” Murray added. “The matches also serve as a connection to the history of golf in the Northwest by continuing to recognize exceptional professional and amateur golfers each year.”
“It was an honor to captain these great players!” Jay Poletiek commented.
Denny Taylor said, “The opportunity to participate in the Hudson Cup event as a captain is an honor and a privilege. It is recognition by golfing peers that allows one to continue to participate in the tradition of competition and camaraderie.”
“Being named to these teams are accomplishments that individuals will always remember,” Taylor added. “The Hudson Cup provides a sense of history and celebration to the game of golf. We are fortunate to be a part of this event.”
The PNW PGA would like to thank the entire staff at Oswego Lake CC, headed by Head PGA Professional Kevin Mathis and General Manager Bryan Fisher, for making this event so successful.
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