Dun Whinny Jubilee Member/Guest Day 2026 – A Day Worth Celebrating

The 2026 Dun Whinny Jubilee Member/Guest Day was played today over the PGA Course, and what a splendid occasion it turned out to be.

When your golf correspondent arrived in the morning to deliver his now customary Public Service Announcement, the scene was set beautifully: sunny skies, no rain, no fog, just a touch of chill in the air — in other words, almost perfect golfing weather. After fortifying himself with a scrumptious bowl of porridge, he was joined by the venerable Billy Z McNeill. Billy, never one to approach these matters lightly, also set about a hearty breakfast before the pair made their way to the range. There, Billy Z once again showed why he is still regarded in certain quarters as something of a bandit, managing to beat this correspondent with his “Yokey” wedges.

By 10:00am, members and guests were arriving in healthy numbers and gathering in the A70 Bar, where hearty breakfast rolls disappeared at an alarming rate, washed down by copious tea and coffee. There was a proper buzz about the place — the kind of atmosphere that only a member/guest day can generate, with old friendships renewed, competitive intentions quietly declared, and more than a few bold predictions made before a ball had even been struck.

Vice Captain Mike Cantlay then stepped forward to describe the day’s format and the rules of engagement, sending the field on their way with admirable clarity and, one suspects, a quiet hope that everyone might remember them. Defending champion Ross MacNish arrived resplendent in his beautifully matching winners’ jerseys from last year, and confidently announced his intention to defend the trophy. It was a fine show of optimism and tailoring.

With the shotgun start at 12 noon approaching, the field dispersed to the putting green and driving range to sharpen and hone their skills. Once battle was joined, the day quickly found its rhythm. On the 10th tee, Vice Captain Cantlay very nearly began proceedings with a hole in one, which would have been one of the more dramatic opening salvos in Jubilee history. Sadly for him, it remained a near miss. After a few holes, my playing partner Andy McGill, never slow to offer a verdict, remarked that perhaps slow play is a Cantlay trait.

There was plenty to play for beyond the main event, with Nearest the Pin, Longest Drive, Magic Twos, and Nearest the Pin in Two all adding spice to the afternoon. On the par-3 4th, Fraser Carr produced what was said to be the closest effort of all in the nearest-the-pin stakes. Not to be outdone, Andy McGill then nearly aced the 17th, producing a shot that all but disappeared into the hole — only to then miss the birdie putt. Golf, as ever, retained its right to the final word.

But to the main business: the best ball Stableford.

At the top of the leaderboard, and clear winners with an outstanding 48 points, were Allister Wallace and Douglas Samson. It was a superb effort, and one that stood comfortably above the rest of the field. In a format that rewards momentum, teamwork and the occasional timely rescue act, Wallace and Samson clearly found the perfect blend. Their total was not merely good enough to win — it was good enough to win well.

Finishing tied on 44 points were David Mitchell & Ben Mitchell and Thomas McCulloch & Gavin Hepburn, both pairs producing excellent returns and keeping the pressure on throughout. The Mitchells, in particular, were right in the thick of it all afternoon, although Ben later complained of a sore back from having to carry his father around. David, to his credit, seemed willing to accept this analysis with admirable calm.

In fourth place on 43 points came Colin Campbell & Mark Sneddon, another very solid return, while there was a busy queue on 42 points from Scott Jack & Ross Elliott, Mike Page & Andrew Morris, and Ian Fisher & Jim Thow. Ewan Kinnear & Scott Sanderson were next best with 41, meaning the top end of the leaderboard was tightly packed — just not quite tightly enough to trouble Wallace and Samson.

Further down, a whole cluster of pairs posted 40 points, including Andy McGill & Christopher Gardiner, Mike Collier & Colin Kenworthy, Ken Marshall & Fraser Carr, and Tariq Ali & Mohammed Adil Sheikh. That, in itself, tells the story of the day: plenty of decent scoring, but one partnership who found another gear entirely.

As for last year’s champions, Ross MacNish and John McGuffin were unfortunately unable to reproduce the heroics of 2025. Their defence never quite caught fire, and they finished well back of the eventual winners. Afterwards, Ross sportingly blamed the lack of champagne on the course, before warmly congratulating this year’s champions and wishing them every enjoyment of their year as holders. A gracious response from a man who knows exactly what the occasion means.

At the conclusion of play, the field retired for dinner and drinks in the A70 Bar and Dormy Restaurant, where stories naturally improved in the retelling and good shots became even better with each passing glass. Vice Captain Cantlay then conducted the prizegiving, announcing the winners of the various on-course competitions before moving on to the main event and crowning the 2026 Jubilee champions.

There were, of course, plenty of memorable post-round observations. Paul Lewis raised his glass and declared, “the boys done good!” — a succinct and, it must be said, entirely accurate summation. Billy Z McNeill offered the measured verdict that there was “room for improvement,” suggesting perhaps that his earlier work with the Yokey wedges had used up his sharpest material. And Dr Jonnie Dickson, we are pleased to report, was “perfectly reasonable,” which seasoned observers will know can cover quite a range.

Above all, though, the day was another fine advertisement for what this club does so well: good golf, good company, and the kind of warm hospitality that makes the Jubilee such a popular date in the calendar.

A sincere thank you should go to Vice Captain Mike Cantlay and David Mitchell for all their hard work in organising the day. Thanks also to Matthew Reid and his team in the Pro Shop for all their help, and special thanks to the Gleneagles Food & Beverage team, David Blackadder, and Gwen for helping make the whole event run so smoothly.

Congratulations once again to Allister Wallace and Douglas Samson, worthy winners of the 2026 Dun Whinny Jubilee Member/Guest Day.

The full list of winners appears below, along with photographs of the top seven pairs. And if today is anything to go by, members and guests alike should make every effort to join us again for the 2027 Jubilee next year.

Taz