From The Archives – The Services Cup
Published on 7th November 2019On Saturday November 9 the Services Cup will be contested. This is a singles stableford competition for which ex-servicemen only are eligible.
The Cup was originally donated by Dr B.M.Riley. For the first event in 1928 Major C.J.Perkins contributed two guineas, Mr C.C. Rawson a set of clubs and Mr Q.G. Mackinnon an open order on the pro shop for one guinea, as trophies (minutes of 30/8/28).
Last year’s winner was Derk Dammers.
In addition to the support of Legacy, the Services Cup day commemorates PGC members’ contributions to the Australian Armed Forces. The minutes of 28 January, 1942 resolved that all members of the Australian Forces be granted membership without payment of an annual subscription whilst prevented from playing on the course due to military duties. The minutes of 21 February, 1945, resolved that the subscriptions of 66 members who had enlisted in the Forces be waived.
One highly decorated soldier from PGC was Arthur S. Allen. Arthur served in World War I in Egypt, then France where he was awarded the DSO in the action at Messines. At the outbreak of WWII he was the first from NSW to enlist, having served in the Army Reserve between the wars with the rank of Colonel. Arthur was promoted to Brigadier in command of the 16th Infantry Brigade and he served with distinction in North Africa and Greece before being transferred to the Pacific, where, as Major- General, he bore the brunt of the fight to check the enemy advance on Port Moresby by the Kokoda track.
