This document discusses the history and importance of challenge trophies in sports. It notes that trophies like the Ryder Cup, Claret Jug, and Warren Shield are iconic prizes awarded to the best athletes and teams. The Warren Shield was first introduced in Malaysia in 1894 and was used as the trophy for the annual Penang and Singapore golf club championship. Over time, various trophies have been donated and used for different Malaysian golf tournaments, though some like the original Warren Shield have been lost. The document emphasizes that challenge trophies should not be retired unless sponsors request it, as they are pieces of sports history.

1. The Golf Life The Observer by V. Ravindran
Trophies –
theultimate
possession
V. Ravindran is the CEO of Samarahan
Country Club in Kuching and has served
two national golf associations in 28 years.
Sports probably began with the inception
of humanity. Our need for competition is
an inextricable part of our nature and the
environment that we live in.
In sports, challenge trophies are awarded
only to the best athletes and teams.
The football World Cup was initiated
with the Jules Rimet Trophy; in
badminton, the Thomas Cup holds centre
stage, whilst for golf, one of the most
iconic trophies must be the Claret Jug,
which is presented to the champion of
the British Open.
In team events, the Ryder Cup is the most
distinguished and we have to thank the
English entrepreneur Mr. Samuel L. Ryder
for that.
The challenge trophy (or shield, as
the British term it) was first introduced
to Malaysia in 1894 by Major General Sir
Charles Warren on the eve of his departure
back to London. The Commander of the
Troops in the Straits Settlement donated
four shields to football, rugby, hockey
and golf.
The Warren Shield was used as the
trophy for the annual club championship
between the Penang Golf Club and the
Singapore Golf Club.
The inaugural Straits Championship
teed off in Penang mere months after
Warren’s departure. It is the progenitor of
the Malaysian Amateur Open’s pedigree.
The event was renamed the Federated
Malay States and Straits Settlement
Championship in 1912.
In 1948, the original Warren Shield and
rose bowl were lost in transit during a train
ride to Singapore. The trophies were either
taken by looters or destroyed when the
train fell victim to a bomb raid.
Since Merdeka (Independence Day),
the tournament has been renamed the
Malaysian Amateur Open Championship.
ThecurrenttrophywasdonatedbytheMGA.
As food for thought, consider what
happens to the sponsors of these priceless
pieces of history. Are they honoured
or remembered during and after major
tournaments?
The answer to this is straightforward and
one can rest easy knowing that all trophies
are insured against theft, loss and damage.
In my opinion, challenge trophies must
never be retired unless a request is put in by
its sponsors.
One only has to consider the miniscule
number of trophies have since been retired
at the request of their donors as proof in
the pudding.
TOURNAMENT
Putra Cup (Sponsor: YTM Tunku
Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj)
Seagram Trophy – Malaysian Open
(Sponsor: House of Seagram)
Putra Trophy – (Sponsor: HRH
The Raja of Perlis - awarded
to the best Malaysian Amateur
Closed Champion)
RSA/BHI/AXA National InterClub
Trophy was awarded to the best
Malaysian Club Champion
President’s Challenge Trophy
(Sponsor: Dato’ Thomas M.L. Lee)
100Plus Challenge Trophies
(Sponsor: F&N/100Plus)
President’s Challenge Trophy
- (Ladies’ Category Trophy -
Peninsular Vs. Sabah & Sarawak.
Sponsor: Datuk Robin Loh
Malaysian Amateur Closed Ladies
Trophy (Sponsor: MGA)
Petronas National InterClub
Trophy (Sponsor: Petronas.
Awarded to the best Malaysian
Club Champion. Since Kuala Kubu
Baru won the Trophy for three
consecutive years, the trophy has
been retained by them)
Chivas Regal Trophy (Sponsor:
Chivas & Co - awarded to the
best Amateur Open finisher)
YEAR
1961
1961
1969
2003
2004
2006
2010
2010
N/A
1961
Challenge Trophies