Sivewright Quaich Tournament 2021

Buckstone G.C. won the Sivewright Quaich for the third time on Sunday 12 September at Prestonfield G.C. against Aegon. On a bright sunny afternoon, Robert Gray and John Dunn got off to a fast start and were 3 up after 5 holes. Despite an exquisite chip in for a birdie 2 at the second, Martin Hunter and Dougie Sutherland were 1 down at the same stage. By the turn, Robert and John had slipped to all square, while our second couple were 2 down. Things were not looking quite so rosy, but if both pairs could relax more and play their normal game they could get the better of their opponents. After 12 holes, the standard of our team’s golf was improving markedly. By then we were all square in the front match and only 1 down in match 2. The short 13^th hole proved pivotal with both pairings winning the hole with creditable par 3s. Robert and John then marched away with their game winning holes 14, 15 and 16 (15 and 16 with birdies) as well as a fine par 4 at the long 17^th for a half. Meanwhile Martin and Dougie won the 15^th to go 1 up with 3 to play. This resulted in a 5 & 4 success.

Our Club thanks not only these 4 cup winners for representing the Club, but also all those who were prepared to put themselves forward to play for BGC. (See below for further details.)

Note: Murray Sykes had played in every earlier round and was originally selected to play in the final but was laid low by Covid 19 and Dougie S stepped up from the subs' bench at very short notice.

This means that our Club has won the Sivewright Quaich in 2013, 2016 and 2021 as well as featuring in 3 other finals in the last 10 or so years. Not bad for a wee Club like ours.

Our winning team may be seen below together with our supporters on the day, Captain Ian McKerrow and Past Captain John Notman.

In recent years the LGA have encouraged Clubs to enter more than 1 team and so we have entered a "Captain's team" and a "Match Secretary's team" this year and in 2019 when the Tournament was last played. Separate pools of players were established and kept separate for each round. This year we were represented in the final by players from the Match Secretary's pool of players.

It was extra pleasing that, in the final, our Match Secretary's team beat Aegon who had the audacity to defeat our Captain's team in an earlier round. Revenge is sweet!

In earlier rounds other members of the Club helped get us to the final:

24/08/21 - The Match Secretary’s team played their semi-final tie against The City Chambers at Mortonhall – and won! Yes we have a team in the final again.

Our first pairing of John Dunn and Robert Gray got off to a good start winning the first and third holes Meanwhile Martin Hunter and Murray Sykes struggled with their putting early on, 3-putting three of the first four greens. As a result they were 2 down after 4 holes. John and Robert played some excellent golf thereafter to reach the turn 5up. M & M missed some opportunities to win some holes but buoyed by a good birdie 4 at the 8^th (as the first couple had done), they reached the turn only 1 down.

Very good par 4s at 11 and 13 and a fine recovery at 14 for a par meant John and Robert were 6 up at that point. M&M squared their match with a fine par 4 at 13 even though their opponents had a stroke at that hole. They were still all square on the 16^th tee, while John and Robert were 7up after 16 holes. The result was therefore a comfortable 7&5 win. A fine effort by all the players, who seemed to appreciate the support of the members who turned out to do just that.

04/08/21 - The Captain’s Team were beaten by Aegon at Niddry Castle in their quarter final tie. Despite starting well and being 2up after 4 holes, Kevin Matthews and Sean Black suffered some unfortunate breaks to lose their game. Stephen Graham and Aki Barbod played well but could not overcome a pair with local knowledge and who played better than their handicap. Thanks for representing the Club and getting this far, guys.

29/07/21 - The Match Secretary's Team of Gray & Masterton plus Dunn & Sykes won tonight at Turnhouse in the tightest of margins, 1 hole, despite both teams being 3 down at one point . An incredible turnaround. Well done guys.

05/07/21 - The Match Secretary’s team won their tie against Kingston at Mortonhall. After torrential rain had closed the course earlier in the day, conditions improved to allow the team of Dougie Sutherland & John Dunn, Murray Sykes and Martin Hunter to secure a fine win by 5 & 4.

29/06/21 - The Captain’s Team of Sean Black, Kevin Matthews, John Notman and Aki Barbod successfully progressed to the quarter-final of the Sivewright Quaich last night at Mortonhall. They defeated Ye Monks of the Ye Braids ‘A’ by 5&4.

BGC were 1 down after 5. However, Sean and Kevin settled down and played the next 10 holes in 1 under par to go 6 up after 15 holes. Meanwhile Aki and John were their usual steady selves and gave nothing away cheaply. There was never more than a hole in it (mostly 1 down) and they squared the match at the 16^th. A fine effort by both couples.

25/05/21 - Our first Sivewright match of the season took place against Heriot's at Kings Acre and our Captain's team were on the tee. Stephen Graham and Sean Black got off to a flier and were 6 up after 6 holes. This included two gross birdies at the 2^nd and 5^th holes. They were never troubled and increased their lead to 8 up after 14 holes. Meanwhile John Notman and Aki Barbod got off to a great start too winning the first 3 holes, a lead they never relinquished and were 4 up after 12 holes. John and Aki were steady throughout the match and never gave their opponents a chance to get back into the game. The result, therefore, was a resounding 12 & 10 win.