In 2014, Winged Foot was honored to host the Army West Point golf team in a competition with the SMU Mustangs on Winged Foot’s historic West Course.   Winged Foot has hosted five U.S. Opens, two U.S. Women’s Opens, two U.S. Amateurs, a U.S. Senior Open, a PGA Championship and a Walker Cup Match. After the competition, the teams assembled in the East Room for dinner with a small group of members who sponsored the event.  President John Schneider spoke to the teams and expressed his appreciation for their spirited competition but more importantly for their sportsmanship and contribution to collegiate golf.  All who attended agreed it was a very special evening and another historic moment at Winged Foot. This event became the inspiration for the Bush Cup!

 

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In January 2015, John Schneider was inspired by a story regarding former President George H.W. Bush.  John contacted a fellow member with an idea for Winged Foot to establish a collegiate golf tournament in honor of our former President.  The concept was to have U.S. Military Academy host an annual competition against other collegiate golf teams throughout the Country in a Walker Cup format and as John said, “wouldn’t it be great if the first match was against Yale where President Bush attended!”

 

Army and Yale were both honored, enthusiastic and quickly provided prospective dates for the competition.  The Winged Foot Board of Governors was consulted and approved the Inaugural competition to be held at Winged Foot on our historic East and West courses on October 9, 2015.

 

Mr. Schneider then wrote to President Bush and informed him of the annual competition and asked for permission to dedicate the event in his honor. President Bush responded, ”I am honored that this event is to be dedicated in my name and thrilled to see that Yale and Army are both competing.”

 

Members of the Club donated a trophy or “cup” that was crafted in England in the 1890’s and is now officially engraved and dedicated as The Bush Cup.

 

This Inaugural collegiate competition dedicated to our beloved President and Commander in Chief is now another historic event in the legendary history of our great Club.