Lothians Handicap Matchplay 

The Lothians Handicap Match Play is open to players from all the clubs and societies affiliated to the Lothians Golf Association.

Clubs have complete freedom to choose who represents them with the only requirement being that the player has a national handicap between 10 and 28 at the time of entry. In the past Clubs have chosen their B Champion, the person of the right handicap who has progressed the furthest in the summer singles, the winner of a particular handicap event, or just someone who has expressed an interest in playing, drawn from a hat if necessary.

A draw is made in February of club representatives from the previous year, with the first names out of the hat enjoying home advantage through until the semi-finals, which, along with the final, are played at a neutral venue.

2019

The 2019 finals will be played at Archerfield Golf Club on Monday 12 and Wednesday 14 August. The recent trend of reduced number of entries was reversed in 2018 and we hope this continues in 2019. Every effort will be made by us to encourage every club to enter.

2018

Alan Thomson (Harburn) is the 2018 Lothians Handicap Matchplay Champion following his 4&3 win over Ian Lambie (Linlithgow). Ian found himself 4 down at the turn which was not as bad as it sounds given that his opponent, Alan Thomson (Harburn) had 7 pars in those 9 holes, playing off a handicap of 10. Stirred on by his club captain caddy, Ian fought back with wins at 11 and 12 but with his putter not quite ‘on song’ his challenge faded out when Alan got up and down out of the bunker at the short 15th to win the hole and the match by 4 and 3. It is surprising that not every club puts forward a player for this handicap event. Everyone I have spoken to at the finals over the last 16 years has thoroughly enjoyed the experience and especially the drama of the final stages played over some of our best courses.

The losing semi-finalists were Colin McRoberts (Dundas Parks) and Drew Messenger (Baberton)

Lothian Handicap Matchplay - Champion