Result - DF Darroch Trophy. Queen’s. White Tees. Saturday Oct 11th.

DF Darroch Trophy – Queen’s shines, an ace steals the headlines

On a bright autumn day that finished in golden sunshine, the DF Darroch Trophy delivered exactly what Queen’s promises: cunning golf, lively leaderboards, and a story no one will stop telling. First, the silverware: warm congratulations to our champion, Captain Daley Smith, who posted a sparkling 40 points and edged it on countback from the ever‑game Scott Jack, also on 40. Nipping at their heels was last year’s holder, Rob Simpson, who turned in 39 and then vented his frustration in Bar 70, having missed the defense by a single, maddening point. Bill Sexton and Adrian Murphy rounded out the top finishes with 38 and 36 respectively in a tightly packed field.

But let’s be honest: the day belonged to David Logie. The mercurial one authored the shot of the season—a glorious hole‑in‑one at the 17th—his seventh ace. Seven! Most of us are still waiting for our first ball to stay on the green. Queen’s hummed when it dropped; even the trees seemed to applaud. Commiserations to Eric Lambert, who came heartbreakingly close on the 5th—close but, alas, no cigar. Our very best wishes, too, to Mrs Lambert for a speedy recovery; the whole club is thinking of you. And a tip of the cap to Mr Billy Z McNeill for digging deep and buying Eric a hot drink at the halfway house—a gesture nearly as rare as Logie’s tally of aces.

Elsewhere in the drama, Simpson’s title defense may have been subtly sabotaged in the car park when he encountered Captain Smith lamenting “a lack of form”—a lullaby that evidently sent Rob to sleep at precisely the wrong moment. Kevin Beattie, Paul Lewis, Rob Crockart and David Bruce all posted sturdy 36s, while Neil Coulson, Mark Higham and David Frame were among a clutch on 35, proof that Queen’s rewards patience and a hot putter. As the sun dipped behind the Ochils, the DF Darroch once again proved its charm: generous to the brave, ruthless to the unwary, and forever capable of a little magic at 17. Congratulations, Captain—savour the trophy. And Mr Logie, do stop making holes look so small.

Fine margins.