Historic amateur events like Dispatch Trophy are worth saving

I honestly can’t remember the exact words but, in a polite way, I think someone expressed surprise to see this correspondent out on the course at the Braids in Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon covering a golf tournament.

Yes, of course, the Edinburgh Evening News Dispatch Trophy, a team event for club golfers in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, is a far cry from being at The Open, Masters or a Ryder Cup, so, in fairness, I could see what the gentleman in question was getting at as we chatted at the back of the eighth green.

My reply was exactly the same thing I’ve said to lots of people over the years when it comes to the Dispatch Trophy and will continue to do so in my time on this planet: “I love this tournament!”

Dispatch Trophy stalwarts John Liddel, left, and Andrew Hogg chat before representing Heriot’s Quad and Buckstone respectively in the first round at the Braids | Iconic Media Group | Iconic Media Group

Put simply, it’s been an honour and pleasure to have been involved in such an historic event in a working capacity over the past 30 years and, as that continues, now being part of a small group of people who organise it.

The Dispatch Trophy was first played in 1890, with this year’s staging being the 126th edition. Yes, the number of entries has reduced considerably from the good, old days, but it’s a harsh fact that so many teams that played year after year no longer exist while ones still in existence simply struggle to raise sides.

The main thing is that this historic tournament is still going as opposed to it suffering the same fate as, for instance, the Evening Times Scottish Foursomes Championship. It was a cracking event back in the day but was gone overnight and unlikely to ever be resurrected.

The beauty about the Dispatch Trophy is that the players who take part in it enjoy being involved in something with such a rich history. Eyes light up when people see what, for many, is the most impressive prize in golf sitting behind the first tee as they head out in matches.

I’ll probably end up with a hernia because, boy, is that trophy heavy to lump around during the week-long tournament, which is now run by Edinburgh Leisure, but, honestly, I won’t mind. Not when I’ve seen the sheer joy it brings to people to be part of a special week.

14-year-old Harry Mody was Dispatch Trophy debutant

On this occasion more than any other in recent years, it was also great to hear lots of the competitors talking about how they “love playing in this event”, with some being bitten by the Dispatch Trophy bug for the first time.

Fourteen-year-old Harry Mody was in the Swanston side while Harrison, one of the clubs based at the Braids, had three teenagers teeing up. Freddie Stevenson, who is 15, teamed up with Scott Knowles, one of the event’s seasoned campaigners, while Aidan Byers and Elliot Munro, both 16, created history by joining forces with their dads, Brian and Donny.

“Wow” was Mody’s reaction to getting an opportunity to “play in a tournament this big”, describing it as an “honour”, which was great to hear given that he hails from the south of England and is now in Scotland pursuing his dream to carve out a career in golf.

Steven Armstrong was once in his shoes and played in The Open at Royal Birkdale in 1998. Still loving golf every bit as much but back in the amateur ranks for a good while now, the proud Turnhouse man hit the opening blow win in this year’s event.

Jamie Gullan, who helped St Johnstone win promotion to the SPL next season, was also involved as part of the Mortonhall team while Max Christie, son of Terry, a trophy-winning football manager with Meadowbank Thistle, Stenhousemuir and Alloa Athletic, enjoyed his first taste despite bowing out on the first day with Kilgour Property Management.

Add in stalwarts like the aforementioned Knowles, Keith Reilly, David Campbell, John Liddel, Andrew Hogg and Allyn Dick, the event’s most-decorated player with seven gold medals, and there’s a core there that you just know will keep doing everything in their power to keep the Dispatch Trophy chugging along.

Stewart’s Melville FP and Riccarton A were the two finalists in the 126th Dispatch Trophy at the Braids | Iconic Media Group

At the same time, it’s been a breath of fresh air to see Murrayfield, for example, show such tremendous passion and enthusiasm for it since a rule change paved the way for course-owning clubs to enter. As was the case yet again, a group of young lads were an absolute credit to the club and justice will be done if Murrayfield’s name is eventually etched on the trophy after becoming perennial challengers.

Riccarton, a team made up of Baberton members, claimed the glory on this occasion, emulating triumphs in both 1956 and 2005, with Stewart’s Melville FP falling at the final hurdle as they produced a brave bid to land a first win in the event as a merged team.

All in all, it was another fantastic edition, one which I’d like to think would have earned a seal of approval from Ian MacNiven, the long-time Edinburgh Evening News golf correspondent and the man who showed his successor the ropes at not only the Braids but other big Lothians events.

Dispatch Trophy staged in ‘greatest city in world’

As was the case when ‘Big Ian’ was still alive, my journey home to Fife from the Braids each day last week was down into Morningside then across the city to Barnton rather than jumping on the city bypass and going via Newbridge.

Why? Well, that’s the trip I always made when dropping Ian off at his home near Haymarket and, as well as bringing back lots of good memories, I love being reminded that Dispatch Trophy is staged in the greatest city in the world.

Anyway, thanks to the person who spoke to me on Saturday afternoon and I hope you now know there was nowhere I’d rather have been covering golf on a sunny but breezy day in Auld Reekie.