The Mollymook Cup

The Mollymook Cup is a prestigious invitation only golf event held over 36 holes in September each year at the picturesque Mollymook Hilltop course. The event, which is open to males only, was the brainchild of the late Harold “Hadja” Fitzgerald who had fallen in love with the New South Wales south coast town in the late 1960s and which prompted him to build a weekender there in the early 1970s. That house is still in the family today and is the home base for this golf event each year, and Hadja Fitzgerald continues to be its Patron.

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To be eligible to be invited a number of conditions need to be met. Firstly, being a close relative of Peter & Helen Fitzgerald and a relatively keen golfer is required. So all brothers and brothers in law were automatic invitees, as were any of their sons having reached age 13 and being of sufficient golf skill and knowledge. To this group were added a select and small group of close friends who have been golfing buddies for many years, and their sons. So the names of Fitzgerald, Placek, Pearson, Brookes, Poole, Gray, Barrett, Formosa, Cocks, Reid, McGovern, McGuinness are littered throughout the Honour Roll.

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The inaugural year was 1997 with a field of 11 very nervous starters, the oldest player that year being John Barrett and the youngest being 13 year old Nicholas Fitzgerald.

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To the winner goes absolute fame and glory, as well as The Cup, winner’s cap, and replica of the Cup to be retained as a reminder of immortal glory. And of course the jacket, a unique item retained for a year, and that has toured the world with many of its winners.

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But this is more than any other golf weekend. It is a special bonding experience with particular emphasis on educating teenage boys about the benefits of growing up among so many positive role models, and how important close family and friends are for all of us in our lives.

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There are now close to 30 invitees with 24 different winners in the 28 years of competition up to 2025.