Draw - Princes Pot Round 1. PGA. Sat 11th April.
Another chapter in Dun Whinny tradition unfolds this Saturday as the Prince’s Pot gets underway—a two-round Stableford test over the PGA Centenary Course, where patience, positioning, and the occasional bit of luck tend to separate the contenders from the also-rans.
First contested in 1986, the Prince’s Pot has evolved alongside the course itself. What began on the old Princes layout—now long since reshaped into the modern PGA Centenary—remains a true test of consistency across two rounds. As ever, it’s not about one flash of brilliance, but about backing it up… and then doing it all over again.
The Draw – Ones to Watch
A glance down the tee sheet suggests a wide-open contest, with form players, proven winners, and a few lurking “danger men” ready to pounce.
8:30 – Williamson / McColgan / McCulloch
A steady opening group, but keep an eye on Thomas McCulloch, fresh off recent success. He’s quietly building momentum and looks well suited to a format that rewards consistency.8:40 – Crockart / McNeill / Stewart
All eyes here will be on Billy Z McNeill, the reigning man of the moment. After his J.D. Penny heroics, confidence will be sky-high. If he avoids any late-round “generosity,” he could put this beyond reach before Round 2 even begins.9:00 – Logie / Dickson / Sexton
This is the marquee group. David Logie, ever the benchmark, tees it up alongside Dr. Jonnie Dickson, who continues to threaten something extraordinary every time he puts that bucket hat on. Add Bill Sexton—still capable of producing fireworks—and you have three genuine contenders in one group. Expect scoring… and possibly some scoreboard watching from others.9:10 – Stewart / Moran / Smith
Tony Moran and Captain Daley Smith both have the game to grind out points on the PGA. If conditions turn tricky, don’t be surprised to see one of these two quietly climb the leaderboard.9:20 – Page / Wallace / O’Carroll
Michael Page has been hovering near the top in recent weeks, and Allister Wallace brings experience and resilience. A group that could produce a steady, under-the-radar challenger.9:30 – McLeod / Black / Gray
The mercurial Alan Black is impossible to ignore. If he catches fire, he’s capable of posting something eye-catching. If not… well, it will at least be entertaining.9:40 – Kelly / Bruce / Cantlay
Fresh from victory, Paul Kelly arrives in form and full of confidence. The challenge now is backing it up—never easy over two rounds, but if he starts well again, he’ll be right in the mix.9:50 – Stirling / Campbell / Fletcher
Colin Campbell (recent runner-up) and Professor Jonathan Fletcher (perennial contender) form a particularly dangerous pairing in this group. Both have the temperament for Stableford—expect tidy cards and very few mistakes.10:00 – Higham / Penman / Grant
A classic “dark horse” group. If Mark Higham can keep the ball on the correct side of the road this week, he has the game to surprise a few. Likewise, Sandy Grant is more than capable of sneaking into contention when least expected.
Final Thoughts
The Prince’s Pot is rarely won on Saturday—but it can certainly be lost. A strong opening round is essential, but with another 18 holes to come, restraint may prove just as valuable as brilliance.
With the PGA Centenary in good condition and the field packed with form players, expect plenty of movement on the leaderboard. The only certainty? By the end of Round 1, a few players will already be eyeing Sunday… and a few others will be eyeing the bar.
Play well, and remember—this is a marathon, not a sprint.
