Garrett,
I may well be taken to task here by the good members on this board for any or all of speaking out of turn, talking nonsense, and in a Mucci-esque fashion pontificating on something I have had no experience with. However not being faint-hearted here goes.
The BUDA cup itself is an old, battered but much revered pouring vessel found, I believe, in a second-hand junk-shop (sorry an antiquities store!) in BUDApest hence its name. As far as I can make out it is GCA's equivalent of the famous Claret Jug presented to The Open winner each year. The BUDA cup has been fought over for up to a decade methinks and is presented to the winning team composed of Brits plus ring-ins versus Americans plus ring-ins so I think anyone can throw their hat in the ring! I also suspect that the competition is lively and fierce with no quarter spared. The handicaps of individuals is also another battle-ground associated with The Cup! It seems to be a movable feast in that the playing dates can differ from year to year as do the course venues which are often lesser lights as far as popular recognition is concerned but have charm, quirk and impeccable credentials nonetheless.
I have gleaned this (possibly incorrect info!) from being vicarious and following the descriptions of the cut and thrust as the jousting takes place. I envy the participants who play and particularly if the next meeting is down Cornwall way. Oh what a work out Bernard Darwin and John Betjeman will get! Hey they may want to fly me over to recite Betjeman's "Seaside Golf"!
(
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaXHQ7EJ-vU)
I suspect my blathering will flush out past players who will provide you with the absolutely correct information but a BUDA cup appearance is high on my to-do list over the next few years.
Cheers Colin