Opening day of 123rd Dispatch Trophy one of best in its rich history
Put it down as one of the best opening days in the long and rich history of the Evening News Dispatch Trophy, writes Martin Dempster.
Yes, that’s a bold thing to say when you are talking about an event that was founded in 1890, but, for one reason or another, it was an extremely special start to the 123rd edition at the Braids.
First and foremost, there was no disguising what it means to the players, both old and young, to be involved in a tournament that boasts one of the best trophies in golf. They also love it being held on one of the best municipal courses in the world, which, of course, is mainly due to the fact it nestles high above the Capital with stunning views in every direction, but is also brilliant for match-play over a double foursome.
Adding to those elements on this occasion was the return of a number of players who’d competed before, but not for a long time, as well as several newcomers, including a rugby legend and two former professionals.
Most of the 22 ties spread over two rounds were tight as drives were boomed, shots holed from fairways and putts knocked in from both on and off the greens. And for a spell in the morning, ties were starting to the sound of Beyonce carrying across the city from a soundcheck ahead of her gig later in the day at Murrayfield.
On a mainly benign day for an event now staged in association with Edinburgh Leisure, the main headlines were provided by Duddingston, Bank of Scotland and Bass Rock.
Being represented for the first time, Duddingston came through two ties against Turnhouse and Silverknowes, winning the first one comfortably but then having to dig deep in the afternoon.
David Miller, who’d come in as a substitute for Gary
Thomson from the morning match, holed from off the green for a crucial half at the par three 17th, alongside Connor Scott in the back tie. Seconds later, Allyn Dick did likewise at the last for a birdie alongside Jamie Duguid, before the match was effectively decided after the back Silverknowes pairing found the dreaded ‘Graves’ at the 18th.
“That’s as good as I’ve seen Keith Reilly play in my entire time in this event, and he holed an incredible footage in putts,” said Dick in tipping his hat to one of the Silverknowes stalwarts.
Mortonhall, the winners in both 2018 and 2019
before reaching a third successive final last year, fell at the first hurdle on this occasion. Wearing red trousers or shorts in honour of Dispatch Trophy legend Ian Taylor, a Bank of Scotland team comprising Calum Burgess, Andy Stevenson, John Gallacher and Neil Sutherland beat them by one hole.
“A big scalp, so we are happy with that result,” declared Burgess, who added of the tribute to Taylor: “We’ve done it before and have decided to keep the tradition going.”
Bass Rock, playing in the event for the first time to coincide with the club’s 150th anniversary, beat Lochend in the morning then Craigmillar Park in the second round. Duncan Forbes replaced Gareth Pugh for the latter after playing in the Tantallon club championship qualifier earlier in the day.
“I teed off at 7am, got round in two hours and 45 minutes, shot a 74 and then came to play here. It’s been tiring but nice and now I’m off for a beer!”
Peter Johnstone only found out at around 9.10am that he was needed to replace John Archibald less than an hour later for defending champions Heriot’s Quad. But his dash was worth it as the Gullane member helped the schools’ side prevail against 2012 winners Caermount after the sort of finish that is typical in this event. Playing at the front for Heriot’s Quad, Dave Campbell and Innes Christie lost the last four holes only for that to be counter-balanced by Johnstone and Scott Johnston taking the last five holes at the back.
“It was the Dispatch and the Braids,” said a smiling Campbell.
Helped by some big-hitting – Stuart Langlands almost drove the 15th green into a gentle breeze – the top Heriot’s team is also through to the last 16.
Scottish rugby legend Andy Irvine made his debut in the event at 71, admitting his presence in a British Rugby Club of Paris team that had featured Gavin Hastings in the past had left him feeling “nervous”. In a team that also contained Colin McClung, Robin Carmichael and David Bell, Irvine suffered a 6&4 defeat against Granton Golfing Society, but he admitted afterwards: “It brought back some great memories.”
Kenny Alexander, who played against Irvine along with Alex Renton in the back match, said it had been a pleasure to spend some time in the company of the former Scotland and All Blacks player.
“What a lovely guy and we thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Alexander, admitting that had also been helped by him and Renton being under par and not having lost any balls in the gorse bushes.
Stuart Middleton, a twotime winner with Edinburgh Thistle, marked his welcome return to the event by helping Dalmahoy progress with a tight win over Hailes C.
“It must be around 30 years since I last played in it,” said Middleton referring, in fact, to a 1993 final defeat at the hands of Prestonfield club Crags.
The plus-four handicapper is joining forces on this occasion with Richard Fyvie, the former Pumpherston pro who is now back playing amateur golf and working as LIberton’s club secretary.
Chris Laird and James Devlin are the other team members in Dalmahoy’s first foray into the event, though Third, a club within the Kirknewton club, won back in 1972.