Club Match - DWGC vs Blairgowrie. Sun 30th Aug.
Dun Whinny Weather the Storm to Retain The Ken McKenzie Salver
There is a distinct Perthshire charm to late-August match play: the kind where the forecast looks rather like a threat, the wind off the hills tests every layer of Gore-Tex, and victory tastes twice as sweet once everyone is safely dried out and seated in the Dormy.
On Sunday 30th August, Dun Whinny welcomed the formidable contingent from Blairgowrie Golf Club for our annual inter-club fixture across both the King’s and Queen’s Courses. The morning had served up a decidedly cold, wet, and blustery greeting, but the golfing gods took pity just long enough to grant a timely window in the weather. The rain held off for the matches, only to unleash a proper biblical deluge the very moment post-round drinks and dinner were underway. Impeccable timing from the greenkeeping clouds.
Leading from the front on the King’s, match captain Tariq Ali partnered young Bailey Law against Blairgowrie’s Captain Ronald Nelson and scratch-threat Michael McKenzie. Giving away a substantial amount of firepower on paper, our captain and his partner battled stoutly before succumbing two down on the eighteenth. As this correspondent always maintains, it is merely good Gleneagles manners and exemplary diplomacy to let the visiting skipper claim his scalp.
Any hospitality ended abruptly in match two. Rob Simpson and Scott Jack produced an exhibition of ruthless fourball golf, dismantling the low-handicap duo of Michael Murray (1.5) and Greg Lane (5.5) by an emphatic 6&4 margin. Behind them, Ken Marshall and Alan Black found themselves locked in a tense duel against Jamie Salvin and Lewis Duncan. Drawing on pure grit and course knowledge, Ken and Alan edged ahead down the closing stretch to secure a vital 1-up triumph.
Over on the Queen’s, the demolition derby continued. Paul Lewis and David Watt delivered the performance of the afternoon, steamrolling Gordon Mitchell and Bob Swan 8&6 in a display so clinical that the match was concluded before the halfway hut was even in the rearview mirror.
Allister Wallace and John Gumley then produced a fantastic team display to overcome Doug Sharp and David Kerr, ensuring the overall fixture was locked up in Dun Whinny’s favour. In the final pairing, Gordon Colborn and Ian Fisher fought bravely against Neil Morton and James Crighton before bowing out 5&3, putting the finishing touches on a 4–2 scoreline.
With four hard-earned points on the board, Dun Whinny proudly retain The Ken McKenzie Salver.
As ever with our friends from Blairgowrie, the entire contest was played in the warmest and most cordial spirit. Our thanks go to Captain Ronald Nelson and his team for a splendid day’s golf, and we look forward with great relish to making the return journey to Rosemount and Lansdowne next year.
Tariq
