First time the name was used was in 1998, when the tournament was played in the Algarve, Portugal. It was named after the small container used for the local variety of ice cream - in the shape of a penguin with a removable hat. (Pingu is also the name of a video game character.) The pingu with the red hat is used to mark the 'longest drive' on a selected par 5 hole and the one with the blue hat the 'nearest the pin' on a selected par 3 hole.    The red-hatted pingu was originally the winner's trophy and the blue-hatted one the runner's-up trophy, but this has since been replaced by a solid brass pingu.

The tournament was first contested however in 1996 when it was held in Jerez, Spain. At that time there were just 4 players: Alex Pöppl and Robert Wurzer representing Bavaria and Mark Johnson and Mike McGinley for the British Isles. The result was a convincing victory for the British Isles team.

In the second year's event, again held in Spain, but this time in Andalucia, the team was restructured and Tony Chambers replaced Mark. The result was the same - another victory for the British Isles team - although because of the all-Irish make-up of the team, it was known as the 'Irish-Bayerish Championship' at that time.

In 1999, the tournament moved to Tuscany, Italy. This time, the Bavarians getting desperate, they added an extra team member, Heinrich Sauer, so outnumbering the British Isles team. Nevertheless, the British Isles team competed doggedly and at one stage was leading the Bavarians by 1 point. However the Bavarians drew level by the start of the last day, and with some luck and some good play it has to be said, overcame the gallant British Isles team to produce a narrow victory.

The 2000 Pingu Cup, again held in Tuscany from 24th to 31st March 2000, saw another new addition to the Pingu Cup membership.    Chris Lord joined the British Isles team to make it 4 players on each side.   Unfortunately an injury to his left wrist kept Roy Eastwood from actually playing, but he attended the event caddying for his fellow teams members.    Unfortunately this wasn't enough to ensure a victory, and the Bavarian Team romped home with a 29 to 25 win.

The 2001 Pingu Cup, held in Tuscany for the third time in three years, saw four players on each side for the first time.   This new phenonemon was short-lived however, as Chris fell ill after the fifth day, and had to return home prematurely.    The Bavarian team was even stronger this year with some very good play, giving the British Isles Team a 33 to 24 point beating.

In 2004 Pingu stayed in Emilia Romagna, but moved up the road to the area around Modena.   Robert Wurzer and Chris Lord were unable to come this year and these were replaced by Christian Sandl and Chris Eastwood (Roy's son) for the Bavarian and Isles teams respectively.   This new blood was enough to spur the British Isles to a convincing victory 29 points to 7.

In 2005 Pingu was again held in Emilia Romagna based this time in Salsomaggiore Terme.   Robert and Chris Lord returned to their respective teams this year, but Alex Pöppl could not come, so Christian Sandl made up the team.   This led to a close fought match, with the Bavarians winning 25½ to 22½.

In 2008 Pingu returned once more to the Frassanelle Estate, but this time staying in a smaller villa - Lieta as Bencontenta not available.    Chris Eastwood could not come to this one, so Steven Bastian made his first appearance to take his place.    Also, Alex Pöppl could not come, so the Bavarians were a team of three. Conditions being very wet, having had quite a lot of rain before our arrival and during our stay meant that our waterproof clothing had to be put to good use.   This must have favoured the Bavarians, because they ran out winners 26 points to 16 over The Isles.

In 2010 Pingu went to Scotland for the first time.   Based in St Andrews, the home of golf, Pingu was played over predominantly links courses for the first time.  Unfortunately neither Chris Eastwood nor Steven Bastian could come this year, so the Bavarians "loaned" The Isles one of their players.  It was Alex who drew the short straw and became an honorary Isles member for the week.  With some of the best weather enjoyed in Pingu history, the Isles took advantage of playing at "home" and pushed the Bavarians into second place winning 27½ to 20½.