Our Story
The Hamilton Cup concept was conceived in Oporto GC at their Centenary celebrations in 1990.
To celebrate this occasion, Oporto GC invited the Captains/Presidents of the oldest club in every country in Europe. Steve EVANS who was Captain of Tenby Golf Club (oldest club in Wales) at the time attended the event. Whilst there, he made friends with Nuno CARNEIRO, President of Oporto GC and Emmanuel DAUM, President of Pau Golf Club 1856 (the oldest club in continental Europe). The three decided that a competition should be taken forward from the superb celebrations held at Oporto to continue the friendships established.
The founding Captains: Nuno CARNEIRO - Oporto, Emmanuel DAUM - PGC and Steve EVANS - Tenby
Our Mission
To enable the Hamilton Cup function properly, the Association of Countries’ Oldest Clubs (A C O C) was formed in 1991
The Articles of Association stated that:
1. The ACOC, has for its main goal the close relationship between its member golf clubs, and between their members, and to preserve the spirit and traditions of the game of golf. Other goals may be proposed and approved at the General Meeting by member clubs.
2. The ACOC is composed of golf clubs who adhere to the present articles of association, and has two categories of members:
a. FOUNDING MEMBERS, each of whom must be the oldest golf club of its country. For this purpose, every such club in Europe will be invited to join ACOC and will become a founding member if it accepts this invitation within 90 days;
b. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS, who are proposed by a founding member and voted in by the General Meeting. Associate members may attend the General Meeting, but may not vote.
3. Each club will be represented in ACOC by one of its members, appointed by its committee. Because the efficiency of ACOC is based mainly on personal acquaintance between the club representatives, it is desired that each one retains his position for as long as possible.
4. In order to implement the policy laid out in article 1, the establishment of bilateral and multilateral agreements between member clubs is to be encouraged. These agreements can range in scope from the mutual reduction or abolition of green fees, to the concession of starting times, invitations to visitors from Presidents or Captains, and any other forms of cooperation which contribute towards the set goals. These agreements should be transmitted to the board of ACOC which will pass this information on to members.
