Result- Monthly Medal. PGA. Saturday 16th August.

Report

Mild, slate-grey skies gave way to a glorious warm summer afternoon, and the scoring blossomed with the weather. In the gross, congratulations to Alastair Cantlay, who posted a tidy 75 and never relinquished the lead. Andy Lothian surged into second with an outstanding back nine of 35, while Ross MacNish matched 78 for third with impressively crisp ball‑striking.

The net crown went to the evergreen Ken Swa on 67—defending his title from last year with trademark nous. Rumour has it Ken now carries two yardage books: one for distances and one for memories of every bounce since 1983. Experience and advancing years? He’s proof they’re a performance enhancer—especially on the greens.

Ken Marshall’s card was the classic two‑act drama. He was cruising at two over through 13 after a composed 35 out, then met the PGA’s booby traps head‑on: an 8 at 14 and a 7 at 15 turned a canter into triage, a 44 home leaving him on 79. Golf remains the humbler-in-chief.

A tip of the cap to my playing partners—Frank Johnson, Patrick Elsmie, and Ian Fisher—for tolerating my glacial pace as I tiptoe back from a nerve injury. I did at least repay the patience with back‑to‑back birdies on 14 and 15. And Mr Elsmie nearly bought the clubhouse a round: he pitched it to two feet… then spun it back to seven. Backspin, eh? Looks glorious on television; slightly less helpful when you’re chasing a one.

Warm applause for our winners—Cantlay and Swa—and smiles all round on a day that reminded us why we love this game. Next week it’s the Roy Nicolson Salver on Queens; entry via the app.