Belfast Royal Academy Old Boys’ Golf Society.
The Belfast Royal Academy Old Boys’ Golf Society was formed in 1939 and the inaugural competition was held that year at Fortwilliam Golf Club. The first winner of The Picken Cup was C.C. Harte, B.R.A. teacher and later President of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The war put a temporary end to the competition, but it was revived in 1946 and has been played every year since.
At its height in the 60’s and 70’s there were 4 or 5 outings each year playing Fortwilliam, Malone, Knock, Royal Belfast and Royal Portrush Golf Clubs. Former Warden and Society Secretary, Ken Knox, recalls that on one round at Royal Portrush, he lost more golf balls than points scored due to the severe weather and severity of the rough.
There are two competitions and two trophies for which Golf Society members play each year. The first, The Picken Cup, was donated by Jimmy Picken, an Old Boy who was one of the school’s most distinguished cricketers and a talented golfer. The trophy is awarded for the best points score and is played for at Malone Golf Club.
The second competition is the Society’s Captains Day and is played at Royal Belfast Golf Club. That competition results in two awards; the Captain’s Prize for the best score and The Ferguson Trophy, presented to the player with the best aggregate points total over the two outings. The latter prize, first competed for in 1973, is named after Billy Ferguson, one of B.R.A.’s outstanding golfers.
2024 Golf Calendar
Society Captain: Andrew Magee
The Picken Cup: Thursday 13th June 2024 at Malone Golf Club
Captain's Day: Friday 13th September 2024 at Royal Belfast Golf Club .
Old Boys and their guests are welcome, a starting sheet will be in place so to book a time email Ken Knox or telephone 028 9034 1900
The Molly Malone Trophy Match against Old Belvedere
After a 16 year absence the Molly Malone Trophy match between BRAOBA and Old Belvedere was reintroduced. The first match was played in 1993 and it was great to see four Old Boys travel to Dublin to play in the Belvedere Union Golf Society Captain’s Day at Portmarnock. Molly Malone will travel back north after a tightly fought match. Thanks must go to all involved in getting this annual fixture back up and running. We look forward to welcoming the belvedere team to Royal Belfast GC in 2024.
Ulster Public Schools Old Boys’ Golf Society Annual Tournament May 2023
A clean sweep for Belfast Royal Academy Old Boys' at the Ulster Public Schools Golf!
The Team included Richard Martin, Steven Minford, Tim Weir, Iain Knox & Greg Henry.
On the day the team won the Best Team Nett Trophy, Best Team Gross Trophy, Best Individual Nett, Best Individual Gross.
A great day out at Royal Belfast GC playing alongside 7 other Schools.
Photo has the last two men standing at the end of the night!
