Result- Winter Stableford. Queen’s. Sat 24th Jan 2026.

After two days of relentless rain that threatened to turn the Queen’s course into a series of interconnected water features, the Dun Whinny faithful were pleasantly surprised to see play get under way exactly on time this Saturday. While the opening tee shots were struck during a passing rain shower and the ground remained decidedly "casual" underfoot, the field showed admirable grit. The rain eventually abated, and for one fleeting, glorious second, the sun even made a cameo appearance.

However, the weather wasn't the only challenge. A stiff, biting wind whipped across the glens, and the greenkeepers clearly woke up in a mischievous mood, tucking the pins into some truly diabolical positions. This was especially evident on the back nine, where almost every flag was perched at the very rear of the green. With the wind in their faces and the ground offering zero run, the course played exceptionally long, turning many a par-four into a grueling marathon.

Navigating these treacherous conditions with the precision of a surgeon was Professor Jonathan Fletcher, who carded a superb 38 points to claim the top spot. In a week where the elements and the architecture conspired against the field, the Professor’s composure was a masterclass in winter golf.

Among the notable mentions, Eric Lambert, Tariq Ali, and Dr Jonny Dickson all showed great tenacity to finish in a three-way tie for second with 35 points. David Abercrombie and Tony Moran also deserve credit for their 34-point returns, proving they could handle the "long" back eight better than most.

Looking ahead, the drama continues next week with the last Winter Medal on the Kings course. Given the current form of the field, it promises to be a grand finale. Entry is available as usual via the app—be sure to secure your slot before the pins move even further back!

Taz

Reminder

For those wishing their scores to be included in the Tom Brown Tankard and the Winter Stroke Play standings, please submit a photograph of your signed scorecard to me (Tariq). As with previous seasons, results will be collated using HandicapMaster. Scorecards must be submitted by 6pm on Tuesdays. No more than 3 cards per week. This the same process as the past few years when Mr Logie was in charge.