Dispatch Trophy stalwart will be notable absentee in 124th edition at the Braids

But John Archibald will still be there to cheer on his beloved Heriot’s in team tournament

Dispatch Trophy stalwart John Archibald is being forced to sit out the event for only the second time in 49 years after undergoing prostate surgery - but he’s still heading up to the Braids to cheer on his beloved Heriot’s in the 124th edition.

The historic team tournament, which is now supported by Edinburgh Leisure, gets underway on Saturday morning and, though entries are up on last year, it won’t quite be the same without Archibald adding some colour and not just because of the trousers he’s sometimes worn.

“I recently got home from hospital and minus my prostate,” he reported, “so I am gutted that I will miss the Dispatch this year for only the second time in 49 years but, if selected, I’ll be back next year to celebrate my 50th anniversary when it comes to this tournament.”

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Archibald is a four-time winner, picking up his most recent gold medal just two years ago, when he joined forces with Dave Campbell, Innes Christie and Scott Johnston to land the coveted prize for Heriot’s Quad.

“The only other time I’ve missed it was when I broke my ankle thinking I was (Brazilian legend) Zico on the wing in a game of football with the kids,” he added.

“The Dispatch is always the first tournament that goes in the diary every year. It’s played on a course that rewards accuracy rather than length, which suits my game, and I can’t wait to get back into it. I wish both Heriot’s teams the best of luck and I am planning to come up to watch for a wee time at least and shout on the boys!”

Ewan Gordon is Archibald’s replacement alongside Campbell, Christie and Johnston in the Quad team while the Heriot’s FP side is the same one that made it to last year’s final, namely Scott Dickson, Stuart Langlands, Steven Sinclair and Sam Hall.

Making a welcome return to the event, Edinburgh Academicals will be represented on Saturday by, from left, Nick Peoples, Hugo Rintoul, Paul Loudon and Jamie Simpson

Both having received byes into the second round, It’s a tasty start for Heriot’s Quad against six-time winners Silverknowes while Heriot’s FP take on Kilgour Property Management.

Silverknowes finished a best-ever second in the recent Lothians Team Tournament thanks to the combined efforts of Keith Reilly, Graham Robertson and Connor McWatt and that trio are joining forces once again with Chris Milligan in this event.

“We all really look forward to the Dispatch as it’s one of the highlights of the golfing season and I’ve heard the course is in great condition,” said Reilly. “It’s getting harder up there every year, though - I think it’s age and the quality of the teams!”

Always strong supporters of the event, Silverknowes are also being represented by a B team (Stevie Garioch, Anthony Howden, Gary Cheyne and Keith Tulloch), the Generations (Ian Connelly, John Connelly, Steven Reilly and Stevie Adamson) and Granton (Kenny Alexander, John Macrae, Jack Carlin and Aidan Renton).

Duddingston won last year's Dispatch Trophy and are first on the tee on Saturday mornng at the Braids in the event's 124th edition. Picture: National World

Duddingston, the defending champions, are first on the tee against Stewart’s/Melville FP at 7am on Saturday morning, when 26 teams are involved in opening-round matches before the second round is then completed high above the Capital in the afternoon.

Four members of last year’s triumphant team - Allyn Dick, Jamie Duguid, Connor Scott and Ben Alexander - will be Duddingston’s starting side, with Gary Thomson and Craig Pirie also named in a permitted pool of six players.

“Similar to last year, a few changes will be needed through the week to allow for work etc,” said Dick, who earned a place among the legends in the event as he claimed a sixth gold medal 12 months ago after already being on five winning Carrickvale teams.

“We are all really looking forward to this year's event. Without a doubt, it’s a highlight in the calender and, having seen pics of all the work being done at the Braids (by new head greenkeeper and former finalist Gary Rodger and his team), the course could very well be in great shape, so fingers crossed the weather holds out for a wonderful week of golf.”

John Archibald, celebrating a win with Heriot's Quad two years ago, is being forced to sit out the 124th Dispatch Trophy after recent prostate surgery. Picture: National World

Drew McIntosh, brother of former Scottish Boys’ champion and now Tartan Pro Tour player Eric, is captaining Stew Mel, joining forces with Scott Simpson. Greame Nisbet and Kevin Cattanach.

“Myself, Scott and Graeme were part of the team that lost in the first round last year, with Kev coming in to provide some well-needed experience,” said McIntosh. “We are looking to put on a better show than last year, however it looks to be a struggle given the draw.”

Making a welcome return, Carrickvale are set to be represented by James Kerr, Paul Cunningham, Josh Cullerton and Gregor Maiden, with a second-round meeting with Colinton Mains being their first assignment.

Back at the Braids after a much longer absence, meanwhile, are Edinburgh Academicals, a welcome re-appearance coming in the year that school celebrates its bicentenary. “It's also our FP golf club's 125th anniversary next year, then the 75th anniversary of our only win in the Dispatch Trophy in 2026,” said club captain Colin McClung. “Hopefully our young side, with the players ranging from 18 to 35, this year will get a good run and want to come back again over the next couple of years, too.”

Royal Burgess trio Hugo Rintoul, Paul Loudon and Jamie Simpson and Tantallon’s Nick Peoples will be starting for Accies against Turnhouse team BBT, with McClung, a participant in the past for British Rugby Club of Paris, waiting in the wings if they progress and someone is unavailable.

Win or lose in their first-round match, Edinburgh Leisure are in for a tasty treat as they are up against Donuts@9th Newbattle and, as the name suggests, they will be shared at that point in the match. “In the friendly spirit in which we play, they will even get a choice of cream, jam or chocolate fillings!” said Fraser Jervis, who is in a squad along with Craig Surgeon, Graeme Reid, John Nisbet, Scott Stables and Paul Hares.

“However, as the saying goes ‘don’t confuse kindness with softness’. These Charley Hull fans and donut-eating lads want their golf to be spoken about also and taste some success.”

Having fallen in love with the event, Australian Lloyd Dunlop will be in the Murrayfield ranks once again but it remains to be seen who else will be on duty for the Capital club.

“Our team selection is pretty open for choice at the moment, with some guys still in the US and another player, Stuart Thurlow, playing in the Brabazon Trophy,” reported team manager Stevie Anderson. “We also have a new member and Dispatch Trophy first-timer Carl Johnstone while Bobby Gibson will be making his comeback in the competition for Saturday after a few years away at university.”

Hailes, winners of the Sivewright Trophy, a double-foursomes event run by the Lothians Golf Association, last year, have two teams in the field and are adopting a squad approach this time around.

“Hailes A will hopefully see Craig Gordon, Danny Crolla and Hamish Hamilton partnering up as one group and Andy Rowe, Alan Mackay and Gary Malone teaming up in the second group,” said Hamish Hamilton. “Craig is a former Scottish Mid-Am champion, Danny is a previous Hailes club champion and Hamish is the current Kingsknowe club champion. Gary and Alan partnered up as part of the Hailes team that won the Dispatch trophy in 2015 and Andy is the course record holder at Kingsknowe.

“Hailes B, meanwhile, will be represented by Scott Finlayson and Marc Cairnie and Andy Sanderson and Fraser Sutherland. Marc was also part of the Hailes team that won the Dispatch in 2015 and Andy, Fraser and Scott have all been key members of the Kingsknowe Summer League team for the last few years.”

It would be great to see a Braids team get back in a final, with Edinburgh Western having last landed the trophy around a century ago with a team that included three-time major winner Tommy Armour and his brother, Sandy.

Flying the Western flag against 2012 winners Caermount in the first round are Kevin MacDonald, Keith MacFarlane, David Wilson and Andrew Rennie. “All four are three handicap or under,” said Sandy McFeat. “David is the current club champion and the other three are all former champions.

“David and Andrew have both been members for over 30 years whereas Keith and Kevin are newbies, having been members for about 10 years each. We always support the Dispatch and have had two semi final appearances in the last 30 years, David playing in both.”

Three-time winners Harrison is launching a three-pronged attack this year, with experienced duo Dougie Waugh and Donny Munro teaming up with youngsters Kiron Gribble and Kai Laing in the A team.

Brian Byars, a gold medallist in 2000, joins forces with Simon Moggie, Fraser Murray and Rich Thomas while Scott Knowles, John Cafferty, Stuart More and Iain Ashley are on duty for Harrison 21.

Harrison are on a high after winning 2024 Braid Hills Winter Shield while are also set to face Carrickvale in the Edinburgh Municipal Club’s Winter League final. “Harrison will have an open doors policy to all players, spectators and organisers for food and refreshments,” said Byers, another of the event’s stalwarts.

Tantallon’s withdrawal means that Kilgour Wealth Management are through to the second round while 2005 winners Riccarton won’t enter the action until the last 16 next Tuesday due to Dirleton Castle also pulling out due to other playing commitments.

Saturday’s draw

First round

7.00am Duddingston v Stewart’s/Melville FP

7.15am RBS v Musselburgh Old Course

7.30am Bank of Scotland v Granton Golfing Society

7.45am Royal Burgess v Watsonians

8.00am Bass Rock v Harrison A

8.15am Edinburgh Leisure v Donuts@9th

8.30am Mortonhall v Lochend B

8.45am Dalmahoy A v Hailes B

9.00am Edinburgh Academicals v BBT

9.15am Edinburgh Western v Caermount

9.30am Silverknowes B v Turnhouse

9.45am Silverknowes Generations v Westermont

10.00am Kilgour Wealth Management w/o against Tantallon

Second round

10.15am Hailes A v Dalmahoy B

10,30am Lochend A v Swanston

10.45am Lothians GA Executive v Mortonhall

11.00am Kilgour Property v Heriots

11.15am Harrison 21s v Braids United

11.30am Carrickvale v Colinton Mains

11.45am Riccarton w/o against Dirleton Castle

Noon Edinburgh Thistle v Harrison B

12.15pm Silverknowes v Heriot’s Quad