1943 Ryder Cup Team
vs. Hagen Challengers Program

With the outbreak of World War II, The Ryder Cup was suspended from 1939-1945, and the U.S. retained the trophy from its 1937 victory. The United States continued the spirit of the contest by selecting a 10-member team that participated in "challenge" matches against fellow Americans to raise funds for the American Red Cross, various service organizations and other war-related efforts. These exhibition matches brought together the greatest American players of the era.

The team that faced these “Ryder Cup” Teams was the “Hagen Challengers”. Many people incorrectly assume this meant Walter Hagen was on the team or even led the team, but this is not true. Walter Hagen was supposed to be the Captain of the canceled 1939 Ryder Cup, so these matches pitted his Ryder Cup Team vs a team full of professional golfers who would “challenge” Hagen’s team in competition. That’s where the name “Hagen’s Challengers” came from.

The 1943 ?Match was played at Plum Hollow with Craig Wood acting as captain of the Ryder Cup team.

Presented here is an original program from one of those historic matches - the first we have ever encountered.