Draw - The Hally Prize. King’s. White tees. Stableford. Sat 4th July.
This Saturday sees members gather for one of the club's most cherished competitions, the Hally Prize, a Stableford played over the King's Course from the white medal tees. While there is always silverware at stake, this year's competition carries a little extra significance as it marks the last club competition on the King's before the course closes in preparation for the Seniors Open at the end of July.
It provides one final opportunity for members to test themselves against one of Scotland's finest inland courses before the professionals arrive. The King's has already earned plenty of respect this season, requiring patience as much as brilliance. From the white tees, every hole asks a question, and with recent heavy rain leaving the course soft, it is likely to play every inch of its yardage once again.
Unfortunately, the weather forecast suggests the umbrellas may once again be seeing action. Rain is expected over the weekend, although golfers are eternal optimists. Let's hope the King's gets the send-off it deserves before the professionals take over.
The Hally Prize is one of the club's oldest continuous competitions, first played for in 1960. Donated by J.A. Hally, one of Dun Whinny's original members from 1936, the competition has been supported through three generations: first by his son Mike Hally, and today by his grandson, Richard Hally. In a fitting tribute to that enduring legacy, Richard Hally will have the honour of striking the opening tee shot on Saturday morning.
The Contenders
Trying to pick a Hally Prize winner is never an easy task. Stableford golf over the King's has a habit of producing surprise names, but there are certainly a handful of players arriving with confidence and form on their side.
Leading that list is Colin Campbell. Colin has been the benchmark in the Strokeplay Championship so far, following his opening-round 82 on the PGA with an excellent 77 on the Queen's. His aggregate 159 gives him a healthy lead in the gross championship, and few have been playing more consistently this season. If he converts good golf into Stableford points, he will take some stopping.
Close behind is Ken Marshall, who sits second in the Strokeplay standings despite one of the season's cruellest moments on the 17th at the Queen's. Without that unfortunate triple-provisional and resulting eight, Ken would be leading the championship. The King's has often suited his eye, and he'll undoubtedly be keen to make amends this weekend.
Rob Crockart simply refuses to disappear from leaderboards. He currently sits second in the aggregate net standings and fourth in the gross race, a remarkable level of consistency. Even when his golf ball embarks on an unexpected sightseeing tour—as it did via the 9th fairway last Saturday—he somehow manages to salvage a score. Players with that resilience are always dangerous in Stableford.
Another player quietly enjoying an excellent campaign is Michael Page. Runner-up in the opening Strokeplay round and still fifth overall in the gross standings, Page has been one of the steadiest performers all year and has the all-round game to contend around the King's.
From a handicap perspective, Patrick Elsmie is arguably the form man. Leading the aggregate net standings after two rounds of the Strokeplay Championship, Patrick has demonstrated that tidy golf and a reliable putter remain a potent combination. If he continues that form, he could easily add the Hally Prize to his growing list of achievements.
Billy Z McNeill also deserves a mention. Sitting fourth in the aggregate net standings after rounds of 73 and 72, Billy Z continues to do what Billy Z does best—quietly accumulate Stableford points while everyone else is wondering how he's done it. He has become one of the club's most reliable handicap performers and would surprise nobody by featuring prominently again.
There are plenty of other names capable of mounting a challenge. Mark Higham arrives full of confidence after reaching the Club Championship Final and sits third in the Strokeplay gross standings. David Logie is always a threat around the King's, while Jon Cooper has already shown this season that he can tame the course, courtesy of his memorable 72 and eagle at the 3rd.
And then there are the dark horses. Stableford competitions have an uncanny habit of producing one player who has quietly gone about his business all season before suddenly posting 39 or 40 points. With a field as strong as this one, it would be no surprise if Saturday produced another unexpected name on the famous Hally Prize.
That said, if you were asking for three names to keep a particularly close eye on, they would be:
Colin Campbell – the season's most consistent gross performer.
Patrick Elsmie – the current net leader and in excellent form.
Rob Crockart – seemingly incapable of having a bad competition, no matter how adventurous his route around the course becomes.
They may not be the only contenders, but they are certainly the men everyone else will be keeping an eye on.
One Last Dance
Saturday represents our final competitive walk around the King's before its summer break. By late afternoon, another name will join the distinguished list of Hally Prize winners, continuing a tradition that has endured for 66 years.
Good luck to everyone taking part. May the rain stay away, may the fairways be kinder than expected, and may your final round on the King's be a memorable one.
