Result- Monthly Medal. King’s. Sat 19th July.
July Monthly Medal at Gleneagles: Cantlay’s Composure and McLeary’s Magic
By our Golf Correspondent, David McColgan.
On a cool, damp Saturday at Gleneagles, the King’s Course once again proved it’s not just a pretty face, but a stern examiner of golfing souls. Sixteen hopefuls gathered under brooding Perthshire skies, each dreaming of glory, or at least of not losing too many balls in the heather. By the end, two names stood out: Alistair Cantlay, who claimed the scratch medal with a rock-solid 76, and Robert McLeary, whose net 65 was so good it probably made the King’s Course consider early retirement.
Cantlay: Calm, Collected, and Consistent
From the opening tee shot, Alistair Cantlay looked as if he’d been born with a 7-iron in hand. A regulation par at the first set the tone, and a steady run through the front nine—pars galore, with only the odd bogey to keep things interesting—kept him in the hunt. The back nine saw Cantlay at his best, especially after a bogey at the tough 10th. He responded with a string of pars, navigating the wind and the notorious Gleneagles contours with the sort of calm usually reserved for yoga instructors and bomb disposal experts.
A composed par on the 18th sealed his 76—a score that, while not flashy, was as reliable as a cup of tea on a rainy day. Cantlay’s methodical approach and unflappable temperament have made him the man to beat, and he’ll head into August with a target on his back and, presumably, a slightly smug grin.
McLeary: Net Brilliance and a Touch of Ruthlessness
While Cantlay was quietly dismantling the course, Robert McLeary was busy putting on a net masterclass. His opening nine was a lesson in efficiency, with a run of net pars and a flurry of net birdies that kept his card cleaner than a new set of irons. The back nine saw him shift up a gear, with a crucial net birdie on 10 and a strong finish—playing the last three holes net two-under, just to make sure everyone else knew who was boss.
McLeary’s net 65 wasn’t just a good round; it was a statement. The rest of the field could only look on in admiration (and perhaps a little envy), as he calmly collected the medal and, no doubt, a few free drinks in the clubhouse.
The Chasing Pack: Grit, Guts, and the Occasional Grumble
Iain Aitchison mounted a spirited challenge in both categories, turning in a net 72 and a scratch 81, but a rough patch on the back nine saw his hopes fade faster than a cheap golf glove. Still, his resilience was clear, and he remains a threat for future medals.
Elsewhere, Rob Crockart, Jonathan Dickson, and Aidan O’Carroll all posted net 73s, proving that the field was tightly bunched—at least until McLeary decided to spoil the party. Ryan Longmuir and David Watt provided moments of magic, with birdies that brought smiles (and possibly disbelief) to their faces. Special mention to Watt for a birdie on the tough par-3 5th, and to Crockart for taming the par-5 6th.
The Course: Beautiful, Brutal, and Unforgiving
The King’s Course, with its strategic bunkering and mischievous elevation changes, played true to form. The par-3s were particularly unrelenting, and the 10th hole emerged as the silent assassin—claiming more bogeys than a dodgy curry claims victims. The average net score hovered just above 76, a testament to both the quality of the field and the subtle cruelty of the course.
Final Thoughts: Medals, Murmurs, and Meddlers
As the clouds rolled over the Ochil Hills and the last cards were posted, there was a quiet murmur of appreciation (and perhaps relief) in the clubhouse. Cantlay’s scratch win was a masterclass in steady golf, while McLeary’s net triumph was a display of ruthless efficiency. Both men now have targets on their backs, and the rest of the field will be back to the range, plotting revenge and hoping the golfing gods are in a better mood next month.
For now, the King’s Course can rest easy—until August, when the next batch of hopefuls will once again try to tame its fairways, avoid its bunkers, and, if they’re lucky, leave with their dignity (and a few golf balls) intact.
