Summer Meeting. King’s. White tees. Saturday August 1st.
Summer Meeting – The King's Reclaimed at Last
After what feels like an eternity of watching the King's Course disappear behind the velvet rope of the Seniors Open and the well-worn spikes of the more "experienced" membership, Dun Whinny's finest are finally back where they belong. This Saturday — 1st August — sees the Summer Meeting over the King's Course from the white tees, and the draw promises a thoroughly compelling day's golf.
The King's, freshened up after its time in the professional spotlight, will be in excellent condition. From the whites, it remains one of the finest examinations of golf in Scotland, demanding length off the tee, precision into the greens and the sort of mental fortitude that only comes from years of competitive club golf. Or, in some cases, years of competitive club golf and still not quite having it sorted.
A Royal Welcome for Our Newest Member
The draw begins at 7:00am, and leading the field out first is none other than Mr Matthew Reid — Dun Whinny's newly crowned Member, avid Dundee FC supporter (someone has to be), and a man who has been spotted wandering the Academy with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of someone who has recently discovered that golf exists.
Mr Reid is, by all accounts, seems to be relatively new to the game, but harbours ambitions of reaching the heights of a certain AJ — a target that is admirable, if somewhat ambitious for a first competitive outing on the King's from the whites. The club extends a warm and genuine welcome. We look forward to watching his game develop with great interest.
History, however, counsels caution before writing off the newcomer. A certain Billy Z McNeill was once considered a fresh face, and he has since become one of the most quietly dangerous Stableford performers in the club. Another potential bandit in the making? Time, as they say, will tell.
Mr Reid is joined in the opening group by the ever-reliable Rob Crockart and Scott Williamson — two experienced campaigners who will no doubt offer our newest member a warm welcome, some sage advice, and absolutely no mercy on the scorecard.
The Draw
The 7:10am group of Michael Collier, Jonathan Dickson and Eric Lambert is a solid and competitive three-ball. Collier arrives as the reigning Blue Tee Challenge champion and will be looking to continue his excellent recent form. The King's from the whites suits his methodical, patient approach, and he must be considered among the early favourites.
At 7:20am, Jon Cooper, Tariq Ali and Billy Z McNeill tee off in what could be one of the most entertaining groups of the day. Cooper has already demonstrated this season that he can produce something special on the King's — his eagle-fuelled 72 earlier in the year remains one of the rounds of the season. McNeill, meanwhile, continues to accumulate points with the quiet efficiency of a man who has absolutely no intention of being overlooked. Ali adds further quality and no small amount of competitive spirit to what should be a lively three-ball. Mr McNeill remarked he was bringing ear defenders. No idea why! Mr Cooper seems to be a calm, quiet individual.
The 7:30am group of David Logie, Tom MacKenzie and David McLeod demands particular attention. The former Club Champion Logie will be keen to remind the King's — and the rest of the field — exactly why he holds that title. After last week's memorable excursion onto the King's 3rd fairway from the PGA's 7th tee, one imagines he will be particularly motivated to keep his ball on the correct course this time around. MacKenzie and McLeod are both capable of producing excellent scores and will ensure Logie is given no easy ride.
Tony Stewart, fresh from his Jack Adams Trophy victory, tees off at 7:40am alongside Paul Lewis and Stuart Wallace. Stewart arrives in the form of his life and must be considered one of the clear favourites. Lewis has been a consistent presence throughout the season, while Wallace pushed all the way to a countback in the Blue Tee Challenge. This is a group with genuine leaderboard potential.
The 7:50am group of Crawford Gray, Ken Marshall and Douglas Hamilton is another to watch closely. Marshall has been one of the season's most consistent performers and will relish the return to the King's, where he has unfinished business following that unfortunate triple-provisional on the 17th during the Strokeplay Championship. A focused Ken Marshall on the King's from the whites is a very dangerous proposition indeed.
At 8:00am, Patrick Elsmie, Keith Stirling and Robert McLeary form a well-balanced group. Elsmie leads the aggregate net standings in the Strokeplay Championship and has been one of the club's most reliable performers all season. If he brings that form to the Summer Meeting, he will be very difficult to overlook.
The 8:10am group of Rob Simpson, Paul Wadsworth and Sandy Grant is intriguing. Simpson has been a regular companion of your correspondent throughout the season — including our shared 72-hole marathon — and will be hoping the King's treats him more kindly than the PGA's 7th tee did last week. Wadsworth and Grant add further competitive quality to what should be a solid three-ball.
At 8:20am, Ian Fisher, Allister Wallace and Mark Higham tee off in arguably the most competitive group of the morning. Fisher claimed the net prize in Round 2 of the Strokeplay Championship with a superb 67. Wallace was desperately unlucky to lose the Blue Tee Challenge on countback. Higham has been one of the most consistent performers of the entire season. Three players, all in form, all with something to prove. Expect fireworks.
The 8:30am group of David Watt, Iain Aitchison and Jonathan Fletcher rounds out the penultimate tee time. Lord Watt — he of the legendary 7-2-7 over holes 5, 6 and 7 during the PGA Stableford — will be hoping the King's inspires a rather more consistent sequence of numbers. Aitchison and Fletcher are both capable of producing a strong card on their day.
Finally, bringing up the rear at 8:40am is the group of Colin Campbell, Mark Nicolson and Kevin Beattie. Campbell leads the Strokeplay Championship gross standings and has been the model of consistency all season. Playing last has its advantages — he will know exactly what score is required — and if his game is anywhere near its best, he will be a serious contender for the Summer Meeting honours. Nicolson arrives in fine form after his excellent runner-up finish in the Jack Adams Trophy, making this a genuinely dangerous closing group.
One Final Thought
The King's is back. The whites are in play. The field is strong, the draw is competitive, and somewhere at the front of the queue, a newly minted member and devoted Dundee supporter is about to discover what Dun Whinny competitive golf is all about.
Good luck to everyone taking part on Saturday. May the King's reward the brave, punish the reckless, and may Mr Reid's introduction to club competition be everything he hoped for — and nothing like what the rest of us have experienced on the 17th.
Come on you Dee.
