History of the Varsity Match

The first University Golf Match, or Varsity Match, was played between Oxford and Cambridge on March 6, 1878 on Wimbledon Common, courtesy of the London Scottish Golf Club.  The match was played by four singles over eighteen holes, using the holes up method of scoring, and Oxford won convincingly. The first Amateur Championship was played in 1885, so the Varsity Match can justifiably claim the distinction of being the oldest established amateur event in golf.  The first official Ladies’ match was contested in 1997 and is now a fixture in the calendar.

The size of the teams and format of the match remained in flux until 1921, when the current format of five 36-hole foursomes matches and 10 36-hole singles matches played over two days between teams of 10 men each was established.  Although Cambridge suffered a heavy defeat in that first Varsity Match, we now hold a 64 - 50 edge in the 121-match series, with seven matches halved.  The record over the past decade, however, is far more even, with Oxford having claimed 5 matches, Cambridge four matches, with one match halved.  

Varsity Week

The Varsity Match is the culmination of the golfing season at Cambridge, and the Ladies, Stymies and Blues all play their respective matches in the same week, and at venues near to one another.  The Ladies customarily play their match on the Tuesday, followed by the Stymies on Wednesday.  The Dinner Match between the two Blues alternates from each of Cambridge and Oxford, with the losing club paying for the large dinner following the conclusion of the Varsity Match on Saturday, is played on the Thursday. The Varsity Match itself is played on the Friday (foursomes) and Saturday (singles).  The teams are generally given courtesy of the course for much of the week, and preparation over the days preceding the match is intense. 

The venue of the match changes each year, but we return regularly to Royal St. George’s G.C. and Rye G.C., which is the “home” of the Oxford & Cambridge Golfing Society.  Other recent venues have included Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), Aldeburgh, Muirfield and Ganton.  The 2010 Varsity Match will be played at Royal Porthcawl. 

All of the matches are fiercely contested, but, as with all of our matches, tend to be played in very good spirit, particularly as those earning a spot in the Blues team will be invited to join the Oxford & Cambridge Golfing Society, and so will have a relationship that continues beyond the end of the match. 

Selection for the Teams

Selection for the Blues, Stymies and Ladies teams is made by the Captains of each of those teams.  Competition for spots can be intense, but is always friendly, as our matches are ultimately team games.  The selection process varies from year to year, but a player’s record in the weekend matches and selection medals, together with commitment to the team and regular attendance at both matches and practices are always factors that are considered.  The teams for the Varsity Match are generally announced in mid-February each year, and those selected are invited to attend the Selection Dinner held at the end of Lent Term, but prior to the Varsity Match.