How It All Started
Haider Cup was the dream child and founded by Marhum Arif Peera of Los Angeles in 2001. Arif’s vision was multipurpose and not just about golf; to provide a platform for friendly competition, create a strong networking environment for the community and help the less fortunate by supporting charities. His dream was fulfilled on all counts. Over the years, thousands of dollars have been raised for worthy charities around the world benefiting a variety of causes including but not limited to; healthcare, education, civic engagement, and faith based institutions.
Since its inception, the event has been hosted in cities such as; Toronto, Orlando, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Minnesota. The three day event is played in Ryder Cup format; Team Canada vs. Team USA with the following setup; day one is two-man team scramble, followed by two-man team better ball on day two, and topped off with mano-a-mano singles match play on the final day.
Haider Cup on average, draws over 60 players in total and although played under a friendly guise, the pressure and scrutiny is far from it. Each and every putt counts, there are no gimme’s. Every point is hard fought and every win is emotionally savored till the next time. The battle is real, the competition fierce and the will to win is intense. At the end of the three day event the intensity continues but now it’s of friendship and brotherhood; new connections are made, friendships formed and lifelong memories built.
The continuity and growth of Haider Cup is in great hands as we move forward. A terrific combination of wily and supportive veterans along with swashbuckling youngsters ensures many more years of not only tough competition but of newer friendships, stronger bonds and helping the under privileged.
Although Arif conceived the event, he would acknowledge that it would have been a challenge to pull it off alone. He needed and acquired help from; Imtiyaz Kara, Hasnain Chagani, Shafiq Ebrahim and others. We need to also take this moment to thank multiple corporate sponsors, organizers and captains, without whom Haider Cup may have remained a dream.
