Glenalmond returned to tournament golf this weekend, not long after our great success at the Cyril Gray in the summer.

The Queen Elizabeth has traditionally been played over the weekend in September, finishing on the Monday to coincide with the Glasgow holiday. There has often been challenges in making sure it was far enough away from the Grafton Morrish, and to avoid other major events, the Ryder Cup included.

However, in recent times it was moved to a Friday start, which in the main has worked well. However, when about 10 years ago the R&A added an extra day to its medal, resulting in the scratch medal day clashing with the first round of QE. This meant that at least 4 players were otherwise engaged in St Andrews and not Barnton, including Tom Simmonds, whose 69 meant he was the runner-up in the combined spring and autumn scratch competition, and Mo McEachran, who was round in an excellent 2 under par 70 (congratulations to them both).

However, despite not having those players in our team, the team was then filled with the players of the “experienced” kind, and we were optimistic in our first round game against Accies. However, when they produced a team with the oldest being 30, the comments “is this a fathers vs sons match” and other similar soon started. Sadly on this occasion, youth prevailed, and we went down 2.5-0.5 to them in the first round.

At the top couple, myself and Niall Booker went out, and after a bogey at the first, managed to turn the game around, including a fine 3 at the long par four 4th. We went to the turn one up, but lost the 10th to a birdie, and couldn’t keep up with steady par golf before a birdie at 16 finished us off. Shot of the day goes to Niall at the 14th, when having put me in the trees, and attempting the risky shot given the state of the match, failed to get out of the trees, then from 150 yards and needing to draw it round some trees managed to put it to 4 feet, to get a fine 4 (sadly only a half).

Niall Watson and Ruaraidh Stewart at two went down to some fine golf and at 3 David Sanderson and Stephen Titterington, also up early in the game, couldn’t hold on, and got a gentlemen’s half when hands were shaken as a result of the top two games.

It must be noted that Burgess was in excellent condition, with the greens in tip top form. Our opponents, mostly Bruntsfield members (including one of their greenkeepers) were very jealous.

Three of us were able to make the dinner on Friday evening. An excellent speech from an ex-captain of the RBGS and fine food and a convivial evening spent at the table with the Gordonians.

The final was won by Watsonians beating Glasgow Academicals 2.5-0.5 and full match results can be found here. https://www.royalburgess.co.uk/queen-elizabeth-coronation/

We now move on to finish our year at the annual weekend on 11th and 12th October at Elie, where the numbers are gradually building. We are looking forward to having the Warden, Lucy Elphinstone and guest of honour Gavin Hastings speaking at the dinner. OGGS members should get signed up here – https://oldglenalmondgolf.co.uk/events/annual-meeting-2025/ and those who are not OGGS members should contact the Hon Sec at secretary@oldglenalmondgolf.co.uk to book your place.