Golf: Royal Burgess anniversary year tees off in fine style

FORMER Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallcher and Alex Hay, the ex-BBC golf commentator, helped Royal Burgess get its 275th anniversary celebrations off to the perfect start.

The duo were the special guests at a recent Sportsman's Dinner held at the Barnton club, where they were joined by broadcaster Ed "Stewpot" Stewart, who conducted an auction which raised funds for the '275 events' as well as the Paul Lawrie Foundation and Colin Montgomerie's Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.

"The evening was a great success with Bernard accepting Honorary Membership of the Society and relating a few Ryder Cup stories while Alex was also on top form," said club captain Neil Scott.

"On 24-25 July, we are having our 275 weekend where members, and guests of kindred clubs, will play shotgun sixsomes on both days followed by a formal dinner on the Saturday with Willie Allan speaking and followed by a prize-giving lunch on the Sunday.

"We are also holding a 275 Family Sixsomes in September and the Junior section will have its own 275 Junior Tri-Am."

Royal Burgess is one of the oldest golfing societies in the world, with the first publicly recorded reference to its existence in 1735 appearing in a 19th century edition of the Edinburgh Almanac.