Leith Rules Golf MOGC April 2006

Home Membership Current events Recent events Other events The original rules Leith golf history Links Contact Us		Challenge match hosted by Musselburgh Old Golf Course Saturday April 8th 2006 was the date for the challenge match between the Leith Rules Golf Society and Musselburgh Old Golf Course. The weather was typically Scottish for that time of year - the wind blew from every direction during play, rain and sunny spells ! The match was played in the spirit you would expect from clubs who represent a historic golfing connection going back over 165 years; seriously competitive with strong sportsmanship, stories and jokes ! The hospitality afforded to us at the 19th hole could not have been bettered.
		The match score hardly matters, but for the record MOGC won by 3 matches to 2, with the final match being decided on the last green.
		Playing for LRGS was Archie Baird, a "weel-kent" golfing historian. Archie's wife is the great-granddaughter of Old Willie Park, the first Open Champion to win at Prestwick in 1860 and whose son, Willie Park Junior, won The Open at Musselburgh in 1889. A wonderful circle of history that seems to capture the true spirit of golf, defined in the 19th century by David Forgan: “It is a test of temper, a trial of honour, a revealer of character. It affords a chance to play the man and act the gentleman. It means going into God’s out-of-doors, getting close to nature, fresh air, exercise, a sweeping away of mental cobwebs, genuine recreation of tired tissues. It is a cure for care, an antidote to worry. It includes companionship with friends, social intercourse, opportunities for courtesy, kindness and generosity to an opponent. It promotes not only physical health, but moral force”.
		Surely as true in 2006 as it was then, even when faced with a curly, downhill six-foot putt on a fast green ?