The Baxter Cup is the oldest New Zealand trophy in the sport of curling. First contested in 1884, it is thought to be the second oldest still-contested New Zealand sporting trophy (the oldest being The Ballinger Belt in competition rifle shooting, first presented in 1873).[1]

The trophy competition was initially held in Dunedin at the Dunedin Curling Club, but went into abeyance in 1895 after that club was dissolved. The competition was next held in Central Otago in 1900, and has been contested irregularly since that time.[2] The competition is currently organised by the Naseby Curling Council as a one-day bonspiel.[1]

The Baxter Cup was named after David Baxter, a founding member of the Dunedin Curling Club, who donated the trophy.[1]

The current (2017) champions are the Kyeburn Curling Club from Kyeburn, who won the final in July 2017 against Ranfurly's Mount Ida Curling Club.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Naseby Council — Baxter Cup", New Zealand Curling. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  2. ^ Since the Naseby rink is an open-air natural ice venue, bonspiels can only be held in years where the weather is cold enough.
  3. ^ "Weather gods smile on Baxter Cup", New Zealand Curling, 31 July 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.