Mortonhall and Baberton all set for Summer League final

Willem Kerr won the Dispatch Trophy earlier this year and is gunning for Summer League silverware too. Pic: TSPL

“Mortonhall have done brilliantly to get to the final,” said Baberton team manager Ian Gourlay. “To beat Royal Burgess away in the quarter-finals and then see off an incredibly strong Turnhouse team in the semi-finals is a remarkable achievement.

“I was not overly surprised, though, as Mortonhall played some excellent golf against us in the group stages. They gave us a heavy defeat at Mortonhall and we were arguably a little fortunate to get a drawn match at Baberton.

“There is no doubt in my mind they start as favourites, but anything can happen at a neutral venue. I know the Baberton guys will give their all. In reality, we are delighted to be in the final and we are looking forward to what will hopefully be a very competitive game.”

Mortonhall team manager Graeme Stark said there is a “buzz” about the club heading into the title showdown at Turnhouse and that is not surprising on the back of those eye-catching victories over Royal Burgess, the event’s dominant force over the past decade, and last year’s winners Turnhouse.

“Since the latter, we had a  nice run in the Edinburgh Interclub at Turnhouse, eventually losing to the host club in the final,” said Stark. “It was another great performance by our team and it gave some of our players a chance to play the course under Tournament  conditions.

“Our team (which includes Willem Kerr, a Dispatch Trophy winner this year with Heriot’s) is shaping up well and most seem to be available for the match. That is a great start for us. Now I need to get them all playing well. As for the match itself, we all know Mortonhall has never won it, but we have been to a few finals over the years. Could this be our year?”

Baberton are bidding to  land the title for the first  time since 1999, having first claimed the prize 20 years prior to then.

“I have Ally MacPhail and the hero of the semi final, Sandy Robert, both on holiday and unavailable,” reported Gourlay. “I am also waiting on Scott Carmichael. He has been caddying on the Challenge Tour this year, but could possibly fly back in time if his man misses the cut. Even if he manages home, I have to consider the fact he just hasn’t played much golf this year.”

Baberton (from): Dougie Waugh, Mark Riddell, Colin Malone, Jake Edgcombe, Andy Laurence, Tom Cannon, Matt Kaye, Stephen Marshall, Finlay McCall, Scott Carmichael, Brent Munro, Jimmy Downie.

Mortonhall (from): Michael Boddie, Bill Buchan, Graeme Clark, Ian Dickson, Martin Fitheridge, Duncan Hamilton, Alex Main, Greg Nicolson, Rob Paterson, Steven Scott, Chris Timms, Willem Kerr.