By Julliana Bravo
The team of 12 has been finalized for the 18th edition of the Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup, as the MGA begins to eye its October 16-17 matches against Golf Ireland at Portmarnock in Dublin.
The team is comprised of MGA International Team veterans and a few newcomers, all ready to compete in the two-day, Ryder Cup-style event with the goal of keeping the trophy in the MGA’s hands. The MGA has possessed the trophy since the team’s 2019 victory at Arcola, and in 2023 claimed the Carey Cup by an impressive 11.5 to 1.5 score over Golf Ireland at Winged Foot.
Fourth MGA International team; second Carey Cup
2025 New York State Open Champion and Azalia Invitational Champion
Semifinalist at the 2025 Met Amateur, qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur
Two-time MGA Player of the Year
Fifth MGA International Team, Third Carey Cup
2025 New Jersey Open Champion
Quarterfinalist at the 2025 Met Amateur and top-five at the Ike
Fourth MGA International Team. Second Carey Cup
2025 Travis Invitational Champion
Top ten in the 2025 New Jersey Open, third at the Arcola Cup, match play at the Met Amateur.
Fist MGA International Team
Semifinalist at the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior
Made the cut at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, advanced to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur
2024 New Jersey Women’s Open Champion, two AJGA titles in 2024
Second MGA International Team, First Carey Cup
2025 Connecticut State Amateur Champion
Advanced to match play at the 2025 Met Amateur, qualified for U.S. Amateur, made the cut at the Met Open
2018 MGA Player of the Year
Tenth MGA International Team; sixth Carey Cup
2025 Richardson Memorial Champion
Made the cut at the 2025 Met Open and Ike
Semifinalist at the 2025 Havemeyer Invitational
2024 MGA Women’s Player of the Year
Fifth MGA International Team, Second Carey Cup
Co Runner-Up at the Women’s Met Amateur
Semifinalist at the NGLA Women’s Invitational, top-10 at Women’s Met Open and New York State Women’s Amateur
2019 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion
First MGA International Team
On-site medalist and semifinalist at the 2025 NGLA Women’s Invitational
Finished tied seventh at the 2025 Women’s Met Amateur
Tied fourth at the 2025 Women’s Met Amateur, seventh at the 2025 Women’s Met Amateur, tenth at the New York State Women’s Amateur
Quarterfinalist at the 2024 Farrell
2024 MGA Player of the Year
Third MGA International Team, second Carey Cup
2025 MGA Public Links Champion and New York City Amateur Champion
Runner-up at the 2025 Met Amateur, third at the Long Island Open
Third MGA International Team, Second Carey Cup
Finished sixth at the 2025 Women’s Met Amateur
Advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, semifinalist at the 2024 NGLA Women’s Invitational
2022 MGA Player of the Year
Seventh MGA International Team, fourth Carey Cup
Advanced to match play at the 2025 Met Amateur, made cut at the Met Open
Advanced to final qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open, finished seventh at the Azalea Invitational and 12th at the Northeast Amateur
Golf Ireland was established in 2019 following an overwhelming endorsement by Ireland’s golf clubs. It became operational in January 2021, succeeding the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) and the Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) to become the single governing body for golf in Ireland. This is the first year that the team will consist of seven men and five women, an expansion of one man and one woman. Five four-ball and five foursomes matches – three men’s, two women’s will take place on day one and 12 singles matches – seven men’s, five women’s – taking place on the second day of the competition.
The event is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, October 15 with an “Am-Am,” in which each of the MGA and Golf Ireland players will be paired with three amateurs in a best ball competition. The matches will take place just ten miles north of Dublin. Portmarnock has previously hosted the Carey Cup in 2009 and 1998, with both matches won by the Irish. It has also hosted the 1991 Walker Cup, 19 Irish Opens, the Irish Amateur Close Championship and the British Amateur Championship.