Published: September 10, 2009 11:41 pm      

Maplehurst hosting Boggs Cup this weekend

Play begins Saturday; Cumberland seeking sixth straight victory

FROSTBURG — The Carroll Boggs Cup, an annual match-play battle between top golfers from the Maplehurst and Cumberland country clubs, resumes Saturday at Maplehurst with 9 a.m. fourball matches.

Named in honor the long-time Cumberland Country Club professional, the Boggs Cup is similar to the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup matches. The teams compete in fourball, foursome and singles matches, with the winner of each match receiving a point for his team.

Twenty-four points will be up for grabs, with Cumberland, as the defending champ, needing 12 points to retain the Cup. Maplehurst would need 12 1/2 points to reclaim the Cup for the first time since 2003.

The competitive, friendly rivalry that began in 1994 is now nearing its second decade. Although Cumberland has won the last five matches, including a 16 1/2 to 7 1/2 romp last year, the all-time series is about as tight as it could be.

Now in its 16th year, Cumberland had won eight times and Maplehurst has won six times. The 2001 matches ended all square. Of the 360 points won in the previous 15 matches, Cumberland has won 181 1/2 and Maplehurst 178 1/2.

This year’s Cumberland team consists of captain Jim Donahue, George Young, Jim Snodgrass, Butchy Blank, Marc Zanger, John Smyth, Bucky Butts, Bob Garner, Gus Bell, Chip Harvey, Kevin Host, and PGA professional Andy Halverson.

The Maplehurst team consists of captain Jim Lauder, John Blank, Kevin Robison, Barry Knotts, Greg Turner, Mike Sipple, Aaron Stevens, Travis Bohrer, Doug Moulden, Barry Mazer, Brett Davis and golf professional Don Budd.

This year, the fourball and foursomes will be played Saturday, with only the singles matches scheduled for Sunday. Saturday’s fourball (best ball) matches begin at 9 a.m., followed the foursomes (alternate shot), at 2:30. On Sunday, the 12 singles matches start at noon. Spectators are welcome to attend.

Contact Mike Mathews at mmathews@times-news.com.