The morning after the Signet Library dinner, our annual Scottish section golf match was held at the famous Royal Burgess Golfing Society, widely recognised as the oldest golf club in the world.

It is hard to imagine that the Worshipful Company of Distillers was already nearing its first centenary when the Royal Burgess was set up in 1735.

A thick Edinburgh haar had settled over the course, with unofficial starter, Brian Morrison, waving us off in style.

Two groups set off to play what is today a challenging but fair and high-quality parkland course. At least, we think that was the case through the morning mists!

A highly competitive and close match followed as the haar slowly cleared.

Our champion golfer, Nigel Mills, added to his silverware, showing supreme skill and control to compile a strong and unsurpassed 34-point Stableford score.

Fortified by the half-way house, a fine back nine helped Matt Gammell to run Nigel close with 33 points, a position he shared with guest Lawson Doe.

Kenny Mackay and Michael Urquhart displayed a deft touch around the greens, whilst David Williamson showed great consistency off the tee.

In the end, only 9 points separated the field, with everyone enjoying moments to remember (both good and bad!).

A fine Royal Burgess platter of soup and sandwiches in the club house afterwards was a fitting reward.

Many thanks to Matt for making the arrangements and his hospitality on the day.

David Williamson
Liveryman

The morning after the Scottish dinner, an intrepid group of four (Messrs Gammell, Mills, Urquhart, and Williamson) held the annual Scottish section golf match at the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society.

Founded in 1761, Bruntsfield is the fourth oldest golf club in the world and a challenging parkland course, with some deep bunkers that can cause havoc with a score card.

Hard fought throughout, Nigel set the pace showing the power, skill, and finesse of the low handicapper.

After a slow start, the higher handicapped chasing pack had to use the Stableford system to its full potential to keep things close.

Each of Matt, Michael and David had moments to remember, reducing the points difference to keep the galleries entertained. Michael’s tee shot to the par three 10th, which flirted with the hole, was particularly memorable.

In the end, Matt’s driving and consistency around the greens was enough to pip Nigel to the win in increasingly wet conditions. Victory was toasted over very welcome soup and sandwiches in the club house afterwards.

Many thanks to Matt for making the arrangements and his hospitality on the day.

David Williamson
Liveryman

Our esteemed and long-serving President – Keith Garrard – has taken the decision to step down after 15 years of guiding the Distillers Golf Society to the place it is today. We now have at least six external matches per year against other livery Companies, three Golf Days per year, as well as knockout competitions in both England and Scotland, which are enjoyed – and closely fought – both sides of the border. All these golfing events enable members to meet in a sociable (and competitive) environment, and Keith is to be thanked most wholeheartedly for everything he has done over the past 15 years.

Of course, we are incredibly fortunate to have the most efficient Hon. Sec in livery golf circles – Graham Franklin – someone who organises, cajoles and sometimes even bullies us (in a nice way!) to ensure that the golf section of the Distillers is run like clockwork. Graham and Keith have made a great team!

I felt incredibly honoured to have been asked by Keith to take over from him as President of the Distillers Golf Society and am delighted to follow in his footsteps. I will try – with Graham’s help – to keep up the traditions of the society, and to make sure that the Golf Section of the Livery not only thrives, but also grows, both in numbers of golfers and in the esteem in which we are held in the livery world.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the match managers who ensure that we field a strong team for each of the matches, and please note that the first match is on Monday 3rd April v the Vintners Company. As I am now the President of the Distillers’ golf society, the fact that I am on the Court of the Vintners is irrelevant – my place is with you!

I would also urge you to put Tuesday 2nd May 2023 in your diary – as well as being my 68th birthday (all presents gratefully received), it is also the date of our Annual Golf Day at Beaconsfield.

May I wish you and your families a happy Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2023. Remember to keep your head still and your swing slow!

Ian Harris
President, The Distillers Golf Society

On a foggy, soggy morning in the Surrey Hills, teams of 4 from 10 Livery Companies assembled at Tandridge Golf Club to take part in the first Inter-Livery Golf Day, organised by our Master and Hon Golf Secretary, Graham Franklin

A great day was had by all, with the team from the International Bankers (captained by their Master, Jason van Praagh) emerging triumphant, with the Tylers and Bricklayers (captained by Master, Simon Martin) finishing as runners up. The team from the Butcher’s Company also achieved a podium finish in third place.

The less said about the Distiller’s performance, the better! However, many thanks to Liverymen Ian Harris, Paul Varney and Jonathan Clark who made up the Master’s team and to Liverymen Neil Stevenson and Toby Cutler who joined up with two members of the Cordwainers to take part in the day.

The Distiller’s didn’t go away empty handed however, as Toby won the “nearest the pin” competition, putting an exquisite 8-iron tee shot to 2 feet from the hole at the 15th.

Above all, thanks to Hon Golf Sec, Graham Franklin, for his expert admin and organisation skills, making sure that the day went without a hitch.

Many good comments and enjoyed by everyone who took part – here’s to next year!

Chris Porter
Master 2021-22

The Royal Burgess Golf Society, Edinburgh

We met at The Royal Burgess Golf Society on a beautiful fresh sunny day in early October and after a coffee and bacon roll we headed to the first tee. The weather was perfect for golf with glorious early autumn sunshine and a slight breeze.

The course was in superb condition with the green being perfect and providing a fast pace for putting. The teams were mixed into two 4 balls with the Distillers 3 players being nominated, and we then scored our Stableford scores against the course.

All the players made a good start with strong scoring until we reached the 141 yard 5th hole, where Cameron played a crisply hit 8 iron. The ball landed on the left fringe of the green on the edge of the bunkers and then rolled sharply right onto the green and straight into the hole!

This was his first hole in one as well as the first I have witnessed, and resulted a net Zero and 5 Stableford Points!

The competition continued to be tight, and we all enjoyed a great round of golf. After the round we retired to the clubhouse for a light lunch and refreshments while we counted the scores.

The result of the 3 scores was 97 points to 96 points with 603 Squadron narrow winners and Cameron’s Hole in One clearly proving vital.

The trophy was presented to Nick McGlynn and it was agreed that we all had a wonderful day out.

Distillers

Matt Gammell – 35 points
Bill Wemyss- 32 Points
Fergus Hartley – 29 Points

603

Nick McGlynn – 35 Points
Archie McCallum – 35 Points
Cameron Dalziel – 27 points