Braids ashes scattering for well-known Edinburgh golfer after losing cancer battle
Latest Lothians Lowdown also includes North Berwick member’s full set of holes-in-one, West Lothian bridging 29-year gap, Duddingston delight for Louise Fraser and Kai Laing
A well-known Edinburgh golfer is to have his ashes spread over the Braid Hills after losing a battle with cancer.
Duncan Hamilton was a Royal Burgess member when he won the Lothians Boys Championship in 1976 - the year before Andrew Oldcorn claimed that crown.
He was also a member of Murrayfield around that time and went on to become a member at Newbattle, Dunbar and Mortonhall.
Indeed, he was a member of the Mortonhall team that made a winning Dispatch Trophy debut in 2018 then successfully defended the coveted prize 12 months later.
A Lothians County player, Hamilton made a number of appearances in the Scottish Amateur Championship and was also a Scottish Senior internationalist.
Hamilton was also well known in the Edinburgh legal circles, where his solicitors practice, Duncan Hamilton & Co, prospered for many years.
He passed away peacefully in Australia, where he had moved and spent the last few years of his life, with his partner Liz and two sons by his side.
“Duncan was a dedicated golfer whose determination was evident to all that knew him well,” said Graeme Millar, a close friend.
“One of Duncan’s last wishes was that his ashes be spread over the Braid Hills where he spent so many happy times. He will be missed by his golfing companions in Australia and, of course, here in Scotland. RIP Duncan.”
Full set of North Berwick holes-in-one for Colin Campbell
Shane Lowry has a rival for the title of golf’s ‘Hole-in-One King’ in Colin Campbell.
That’s because Campbell has completed an incredible achievement of making aces on all four par-3s on the West Links at North Berwick.
He’d already had holes-in-one at the fourth, sixth and 15th and completed the full set when he also made one at the tenth.
Lowry’s latest ace came at the sixth hole at Augusta National in this year’s Masters, having already had one at the 16th at the Georgia venue.
In addition, he’s also had something to celebrate at the 17th at TPC Sawgrass and the eighth at Pebble Beach.
West Lothian end long wait to win Lothians Team Tournament
West Lothian bridged a 29-year gap by winning the Lothians Team Tournament at Haddington.
The long-awaited return of the trophy to the Linlithgow club was pulled off by a team comprising Ross Neill, Marc Williamson and Alastair Shaw.
Shaw led the way with a 72, with Neil and Williamson signing for 73 and 74 respectively.
West Lothian’s six-over par total was matched by Longniddry as Dominic McGlinchey posted a 71 and Andrew Brown and Craig Davidson both shot 74.
However, it was a first win in the event since 1997 on a card play-off.
Four teams - Police Scotland L&B, Craigielaw, Turnhouse and Royal Burgess - finished on 223.
Represented by Fraser Campbell, Fraser Jervis and Stuart Reid, Police Scotland L&B won the Walker Cup, the prize for non-course-owning clubs.
Duddingston delight for Louise Fraser
Kingsknowe’s Louise Fraser is this year’s Midlothian County Women’s champion after claiming the crown at Duddingston.
Fraser beat Broomieknowe’s Kate McIntosh in the final as the event was held at the Capital club for the first time in 20 years.
She joined Belinda Murphy and Claire Hargan (twice) in landing the title at Duddingston, where the course once again provided a great challenge for competitors.
Fraser collected both the Finlayson Trophy and Champion’s Necklace for her week’s work.
Rachael Livingstone won the Robertson Salver as leading qualifier, having shot a 74 that included three 2s.
Kai Laing emerges as Broomieknowe’s latest rising star
Broomieknowe is becoming a hotbed for young talent, with Hannah Darling’s emergence as one of Scottish golf’s brightest stars being followed by Kai Laing beginning to make his mark.
He finished his 2025 campaign strongly by winning the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Race to Dunbar event with a fine 68 in testing conditions at the East Lothian venue.
He then produced an equally impressive display when finishing second to England’s Charlie Rusbridge in the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship at Quinta do Lago in Portugal.
Laing has now got his 2026 season off to a flying start by winning the Craigmillar Park Open, following opening rounds of 69-77 at the Capital course with a brace of 67s to finish with a level-par aggregate.
His win in the Stewart Brewing-sponsored event came 50 years after Nick Faldo claimed the title in his last event as an amateur.
Laing won by a shot from defending champion Jamie Duguid of Dunbar and Aberdour’s Jack Small, the halfway leader.
Entry rise for Lothians Golf Association event
The Sivewright Quaich, an event instigated in 1969, has attracted an increased entry this year.
A total of 34 teams - four up on last year - have entered the Lothians Golf Association-run event on this occasion, with 28 of the 38 affiliate clubs being represented.
Holders Buckstone A have been handed a home tie in the opening round against Ye Monks of Ye Braids B while last year’s runners-up Thorntree will also have home advantage at Royal Musselburgh against MCBA.
JPM Chase, a new affiliate club, have been drawn away to Watsonians while West Links Juniors, who are also playing in the event for the first time, face a tough home tie against Scarifiers, who play out of Murrayfield.
The final is scheduled for 20 September at Prestonfield, which was the home club of Bill Sivewright, a former Lothians executive member who instigated this competition.