126th Dispatch Trophy entry deadline looms
Draw for 126th edition takes place on Friday ahead of first round being played on 16 May
The entry deadline is looming for this year’s 126th edition of the Dispatch Trophy, which is being backed for the second year in a row by Braid Hills Golf Centre.
Hailes, a Kingsknowe club, will be defending the title in the popular team tournament at the Braids, though it will not be a family affair on this occasion.
“Unfortunately this year due to prior commitments, I will not be able to defend the trophy,” said Steve McCulloch, who teamed up with his son Nathan in last year’s event.
Hailes claimed the trophy for a third time after beating Murrayfield last May in a final played in blustery conditions.
“The win last year didn’t just mean a lot to us personally but really means a lot to the club,” added McCulloch, who was also a gold medallist with the same team in 2015.
“The Hailes GC continues to thrive at Kingsknowe and you could see from the volume of support we had throughout the whole week how much it means to the members. The history and tradition of the tournament is admired by all.
“Personally, to win the Dispatch once is incredible but to manage it twice was amazing. Obviously it was also particularly special being paired with Nathan. In fairness though, one of the beauty’s of Hailes is everyone is more than happy to play with anyone.”
Nathan will be on duty again and admitted: “It’s a fun week regardless of the outcome. We can’t exactly go one step further this year, but it would definitely be nice to maintain our club’s place at the top.
‘Trophy picture from last year is mobile phone screen photo’
“To win any trophy is special in its own reasons, but ones with history and prestige always mean a little more. There’s so much value in succeeding in a team, as well as in representing a club.
“Putting two and two together, succeeding as a representative of an amazing club, with a team made of close friends, at such a historic event, it meant so much to me. I still have the winning photo as my phone’s screen photo nearly a year on.”
Danny Crolla and Paul Page were the two other members of last year’s winning team, with the final in the Edinburgh Leisure-run tournament being watched by
Brian McNamara, who was in the first Hailes team to lift the trophy in 1975, and Gary Malone, who was in the other winning side along with McCulloch snr.
“Having played in the Dispatch for many years and never even making the semi final then coming back after about 10 years away it was a very special day to win it on my first appearance on the finals day,” said Page.
“It was a great week with some great matches and, as you would expect, some weird and wonderful shots experienced up the Braids.
“Really hoping I can represent The Hailes again this year and try to make it back to back wins instead of them having to wait another ten years.”
The cost to enter a team for this year’s Dispatch Trophy is £90, which is an increase of £5 from last year. The closing date for entries is Thursday, with the draw being made on Friday.
After missing out last year, Watsonians are returning for this edition and will have two teams going into the draw. Duncan Johnston and Andrew Weir will be looking after the top Watsonians team while Dispatch Trophy stalwart Brian Tait will be player/manager for the Watsonians O40, an over-40’s team.
This year’s event will get underway on Saturday, 16 May, when a number of teams are likely to be involved in two matches. The last-16 matches will then be played on Tuesday, 19 May, followed by the quarter-finals on Thursday, 21 May. The semi-finals and final are then scheduled for Saturday, 23 May.
To enter a team, please click here https://forms.edinburghleisure.co.uk/edinburghleisure/form/DispatchTrohpy2026/formperma/WHwqOHoGPcG…
Alternatively, email Mandy McBain at [email protected]