The Roberts-Bradley Cup (trophy) was returned to the Hope Country Club the last weekend of August, thanks to local golfers who defended their home turf with a victory over Magnolia in an annual challenge match.  The attractive  trophy -- and the friendly contest -- were created by golfers Bob Roberts of Hope and Speedy Bradley of Magnolia two decades ago.  The trophy travels to the winning clubhouse after each challenge match and resides there for the coming year.     
     The challenge match -- patterned, with some modification, after the professional Ryder Cup -- consists of three rounds of matches over two days.  Eleven two-man alternate shot matches were played Saturday morning and 11 two-man "shamble" matches Saturday afternoon.  Each match was worth one point, with tied matches giving each team half a point.   After the first round, Hope led 6.5 to 4.5.   After the second round, Hope was at 10.5, with Magnolia leading at 11.5, to end the first day's play.

      On Sunday, 26 single matches were played.  At the end of the day, Hope was victorious with 26.5 points to Magnolia's 21.5.  Playing for the Hope team are (from left) Dean Davis, Danny Putman, Ryan Stout, Jim Meador, Tal Rhodes, Brady Rhodes (holding trophy), Jordan Short, Adam Hamilton, Zac Hoglund, Jeff May, Steve Atchley, Ray Bruce, Chris Short, Boone Butler, and Garrett Davis.

     Golfers not pictured, who also competed in the challenge match, are David Williams, Jerry Pruden, Wes McRaven, Lupe Hernandez, Larry Burke, Stephen Rivard, Jerry Beckham, Mike Nelson, Jeremy Stroud, Ron Brown, and Kevin Fuller.