A personal account of the Dispatch Trophy at the Braids, celebrating a historic trophy, community spirit and the next generation of golfers
The Edinburgh Evening News Dispatch Trophy has a pedigree few local competitions can match. First played in 1890, this team event for club golfers has become a week-long celebration at the Braids that combines history, rivalry and camaraderie. Over the decades the number of entries has fluctuated, but the core attraction remains unchanged: players relish the chance to compete for a trophy that carries weight both literally and symbolically.
As an organiser and long-time observer, I still get a thrill from seeing entrants pause behind the first tee to admire that imposing prize.
Why the Dispatch Trophy matters
The competition endures because it offers more than a match score; it offers a link to the past and a living tradition.
The tournament has now reached its 126th edition, and while some clubs have faded or found it harder to field teams, the event itself has resisted the fate that befell other regional championships. Unlike the Evening Times Scottish Foursomes Championship, which vanished from the calendar, the Dispatch Trophy benefits from committed volunteers, the stewardship of Edinburgh Leisure, and a network of clubs determined to keep it alive.
The presence of that heavyweight trophy on the course is a tangible reminder that this is more than a social round: it is a piece of local sporting heritage.
Young players and seasoned names bring the week to life
One of the most encouraging developments has been the influx of younger competitors who respond to the event’s atmosphere. Teenage players have appeared in recent fields, with 14-year-old Harry Mody making his debutant appearance for Swanston and describing the opportunity as an “honour.” Clubs based at the Braids entered spirited youth sides, and Harrison sent three teenagers to tee up. Pairings like 15-year-old Freddie Stevenson teaming with veteran campaigner Scott Knowles, and the father-and-son combinations of Aidan Byers and Elliot Munro (both 16) alongside their dads Brian and Donny, exemplify how the tournament blends emerging talent with experience.
Notable participants and their stories
The field also included players with notable backgrounds. Steven Armstrong, who once played in The Open at Royal Birkdale in 1998, returned to local amateur competition and struck the opening blow in this year’s matches. Jamie Gullan, known for his footballing link to St Johnstone, joined the Mortonhall side, while Max Christie—son of manager Terry Christie—experienced the event despite an early exit. Alongside these names are familiar stalwarts such as Scott Knowles, Keith Reilly, David Campbell, John Liddel, Andrew Hogg and Allyn Dick, the latter holding a record seven gold medals, whose ongoing involvement helps sustain the competition.
Clubs, rule changes and the recent champions
Structural tweaks have also refreshed the entry list: a rule revision allowing course-owning clubs to enter has opened doors for teams like Murrayfield, whose youthful contingent displayed great spirit and could become regular challengers. Competitive balance means any committed side can make a run, and this time Riccarton—comprising members from Baberton—emerged victorious. Their win echoed previous successes in 1956 and 2005, while Stewart’s Melville FP pushed hard before falling at the final hurdle. The narrative of an established club reclaiming glory underlines the tournament’s cyclical nature.
Organising, memories and the city setting
Being part of the organising group brings daily reminders of why the event matters. Carrying the trophy around the courses each day is a physical task—it’s famously heavy—but the smiles it draws make it worthwhile. The week also revives memories of past custodians such as Ian MacNiven, the long-serving Evening News golf correspondent who mentored successors and lent continuity to Lothians golf coverage. For me, the journey back across Edinburgh via Morningside and Barnton is a ritual that connects the competition to the city’s streets, reinforcing that the Dispatch Trophy belongs as much to the community as it does to the clubs.
Looking ahead
Despite the challenges of changing club structures and reduced entry lists compared with earlier eras, the Dispatch Trophy’s combination of history, competitive spirit and intergenerational appeal suggests it will endure. With young players joining seasoned names, clubs embracing rule changes and organisers committed to safeguarding the week, the tournament continues to be a highlight of local sport. For anyone asking why I would spend a sunny but breezy afternoon at the Braids covering these matches, the answer remains simple: I love this tournament, and I believe it still represents one of the finest pieces of golfing tradition in Edinburgh.
