Riccarton repeat history to lift historic Dispatch Trophy for third time
Golf Correspondent Martin Dempster reports on last-day action in battle for golf’s greatest trophy
History repeated itself as Riccarton beat Stewart’s Melville FP to win the 126th Edinburgh Evening News Dispatch Trophy - the same outcome from when the two teams also met in the final 21 years ago - at the Braids.
It was a third triumph in the historic tournament for the Baberton team, with the ‘Class of 2026’ - Mark Riddell, Owen Brady, Jake Edgcombe and Fergus Lockhart - emulating feats in both 1956 and 2005.
“It feels absolutely fantastic,” declared Riddell, the self-proclaimed “older statesman” in the side at 50. “It’s been a brilliant week from start to finish. Even if we hadn’t won today, the fun we’ve had on the golf course has been brilliant.”
Under a warm sun but breezy at the same time high above the Capital, Riddell teamed up with Owen Brady to finish one up at the front against Scott Simpson and Drew McIntosh.
At the back, meanwhile, Edgcombe and Lockhart also just had their noses in front against Guy Dalziel and Stuart McLaren when the match was decided up ahead.
Under the circumstances, both Brady and McIntosh hit brilliant drives to get up on to the top level of the 18th fairway before Brady confidently knocked in a 15-foot birdie putt to close the door on their opponents.
“It feels brilliant as we’ve heard the 2005 winners talk about that all the time over the years and you realise when you come and play in it yourself how big a tournament it is,” declared Brady. “To get across the line is amazing.”
Left-hander Edgcombe holed some crucial putts, including a testing eight-footer down the slope for a half at the 14th to keep Riccarton four up before that lead was quickly halved as Stew Mel won the 15th and 16th in the front game.
“It is absolutely brilliant to be a Dispatch Trophy winner as it is a great event,” admitted 25-year-old Edgcombe. “The format, the fact it’s a team event and also the golf course - it’s very special to pull this off with your mates.”
With all due respect to the three others in the triumphant team in the Edinburgh Leisure-run event, it was Lockhart who had a smile as wide as Princes Street - and no wonder.
While Edgcombe plays off plus 2, Brady is off plus one and Riddell is a scratch player, the 31-year-old is a four-handicapper and could perhaps have been a so-called ‘weak link’.
Not, though, was that the case at any point during the week and, even though he was teeing off with a plus-six player and former professional in McLaren, Lockhart did himself and his team proud from start to finish.
“He was tremendous because he sort of came in at the last minute,” said Edgcombe in heaping praise on his playing partner.
“From day one, he was brilliant. I know he would have been feeling nervous but he hardly missed a shot and holed so many good putts. It was one of the best performances I’ve seen from someone and he deserves a lot of praise.”
As for the man himself, Lockhart said: “Man, that feels unbelievable. I did not expect that a week ago when I turned up - it was something else!”
In an event backed by Braid Hills Golf Centre for the second year running, It wasn’t to be for Stew Mel as their brave bid to create history by landing a first win as a merged team fell at the final hurdle.
But, along with others, they’ll be back again in 12 months’ time along with beaten semi-finalists Murrayfield and BBT to try again in the battle for the greatest trophy in golf.
Semi-finals
Murrayfield (Cameron Whyte and Bobby Gibson 0; Stuart Thurlow and Harrison Shaw 0); Riccarton A (Mark Riddell and Owen Brady 1; Jake Edgcombe and Fergus Lockhart 1).
Riccarton A won 2&1
BBT (Scott McPherson and Jack McVey 0; Kyle Wilson and Calum Robinson 1); Stewart’s Melville FP (Scott Simpson and Drew McIntosh 3; Guy Dalziel and Stuart McLaren 0).
Stewart’s Melville FP won 2&1
Final
Riccarton A (Mark Riddell and Owen Brady 1; Jake Edgcombe and Fergus Lockhart 1); Stewart’s Melville FP (Scott Simpson and Drew McIntosh 0; Guy Dalziel and Stuart McLaren 0).
Riccarton A won 2&1