Result - Captain’s Prize. Queen’s. Yellow Tee. Stableford. Sat 12th Sept.

Collier Conquers a Wild Gleneagles to Claim the Brass Eagle

There are days at Gleneagles when the Queen’s Course simply asks you to survive, and Saturday's Captain's Prize was very much one of them. A wet and blustery morning greeted the Dun Whinny membership, the kind of weather that makes club selection feel more like guesswork than science, and nowhere was that battle tougher than for the earliest starters.

Out first into the very worst of it were Michael Collier and Eric Lambert, teeing off into driving rain and a wind with genuine teeth. That Collier not only survived those conditions but went on to post the outright winning score of the day says everything about the character required to get the better of Gleneagles on its angriest mornings. A magnificent 37 points saw him crowned the 2026 Captain's Prize Champion, comfortably clear of the chasing pack.

It wasn't all plain sailing even for the Captain. Daley Smith, contrived to find the woods right of the first with his very first swing of the day. To his enormous credit, he dusted himself down and went on to card a highly respectable 33 points, tying for second alongside Vice Captain Michael Cantlay.

This correspondent enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining round in the company of big-hitting Bailey Law and the ever-consistent Mark Nicolson. Young Bailey gave us all a exhibition in raw power off the tee, while Mark, fortified by a fine cappuccino at the halfway house, finally started finding the pars that had been eluding him — a timely reminder that the secret to good golf may simply be good coffee.

There was real drama, too, when the leading group reached the 13th. Michael Collier's approach found the water, leaving Eric Lambert on the bank beside him — whether discussing fishing tackle or debating the merits of his new ball retriever remains a matter for the clubhouse to decide.

Further up the course, big-hitting Kevin Beattie — still visibly restored from recent travels to Portugal with Kinnear and Smith, and no doubt still processing the distilleries of Islay — produced the shot of the day at the 15th, clearing the green entirely and recovering for a birdie. His playing partner Stuart Wallace matched him for audacity, finishing just four feet away and giving serious consideration to an eagle, before having to settle for a very fine birdie of his own.

Warmest congratulations go to Michael Collier, our 2026 Captain's Prize Champion, on a superb round played in genuinely testing conditions. The Brass Eagle has found a very worthy new custodian.

Finally, on behalf of the entire membership, we send our very best wishes to Dr Jonny Dickson for a full and speedy recovery. You were sorely missed on the course this weekend, Doctor — we all look forward to seeing you back defending your title very soon.