Draw - Blue Tees Competition. PGA. Sat 25th July.
Blue Tee Challenge – The PGA Steps Up as the King's Hosts the Stars
This Saturday brings one of the most eagerly anticipated competitions in the Dun Whinny calendar — the Blue Tee Challenge over the PGA Centenary Course. In a normal year, this event would be contested on the King's, but the King's has rather grander company this week, currently hosting the Seniors Open, where Cameron Percy has set the early pace with a stunning opening 63. One imagines the King's is rather enjoying the attention, even if it has temporarily abandoned us for more illustrious company.
The PGA Centenary is no consolation prize, however. From the blue tees, it is a formidable examination of golf — long, demanding, and utterly unforgiving of loose driving. This is a course that rewards power and precision in equal measure, and those who have played it from the whites in the Strokeplay Championship will know that the extra yardage from the blues adds a completely different dimension. Club selection becomes an exercise in optimism, and the rough has a habit of swallowing golf balls with considerable enthusiasm.
The Blue Tee Draw
The field is strong and the draw has produced some compelling groups.
The opening group of Thomas McCulloch, Michael Collier and Andy Lothian sets the tone early.
The 7:00am group of Scott Williamson, David McColgan and David Logie is one to watch closely. Mr Logie will relish the challenge of the blue tees, and on his day there are few better ball strikers in the club. If his iron play is on song, he will be very difficult to beat.
The 7:10am group of Ken Marshall, Rob Crockart, Tom MacKenzie and Kevin Dickson is arguably the most competitive four-ball of the day. Marshall has been in outstanding form all season and will fancy his chances on a long course that suits his game. Crockart, as ever, will find a way to post a competitive score regardless of whatever scenic detours his ball takes along the way. MacKenzie and Dickson add further quality to what promises to be a lively group.
Rob Simpson, Daley Smith, Tony Moran and Michael Page tee off at 7:20am. Moran's return to the draw is always welcome — he is one of those players who seems entirely at home on a long, demanding course, and Page continues to be one of the most consistent performers of the season. Big hitting Simpson and Smith will relish the extra length from the back tees!
The 7:30am group of Allister Wallace, Paul Lewis, Jonathan Fletcher and David Clarke rounds out the main blue tee field. Fletcher has shown flashes of excellent form this season, and Wallace and Lewis are both capable of producing a score that challenges the leaders.
The final group of Mark Nicolson, Steven Smart, Keith Stirling and Kevin Beattie tees off at 8:20am. Nicolson arrives in fine form after his excellent runner-up finish in the Jack Adams Trophy and will be quietly confident of challenging at the top of the leaderboard.
The Yellow Tee Alternative
For those who prefer a slightly less brutal examination of the PGA, the Yellow Tee Alternative Competition runs alongside the main event, offering a competitive but more accessible challenge over the same magnificent course.
The 7:40am group of Jonathan Dickson, Paul Kelly and Billy Z McNeill is a fascinating trio. Kelly and McNeill have both been in excellent form — McNeill in particular has been one of the most consistent net performers of the season, while Kelly won the Millennium Trophy Final earlier this summer. Dickson adds further quality to what should be a very competitive group.
The 7:50am group of Robert McLeary, Ian Fisher and Colin Campbell is equally compelling. Campbell leads the Strokeplay Championship gross standings and has barely been off a leaderboard all season. Fisher claimed the net prize in Round 2 of the Strokeplay Championship with a superb 67 and will be looking to continue that form. McLeary has been quietly consistent throughout the campaign and will not be overawed by the company.
A Weekend to Remember
While the professionals battle it out on the King's — and Cameron Percy attempts to hold off the chasing pack — Dun Whinny members will be writing their own stories on the PGA. The blue tees will demand the very best from everyone in the field, and with a draw this competitive, the winner will have thoroughly earned their moment.
Good luck to all competitors on Saturday. May your drives find the fairway, your irons find the green, and may the PGA treat you with considerably more kindness than it has shown on previous occasions.
