The Event

One of the most popular events on the fixture list, it involves both handicap and scratch events. The prize for the overall winner is the Ian MacNiven Quaich, which was donated in 2011 by Renton Laidlaw in memory of the late Edinburgh Evening News golf correspondent. Prior to that, the champion received the Buisitron Trophy.

Our recent governance review highlighted the fact that we should do more for players in the higher handicap ranges. This competition caters for all people with a national handicap whose home club is in the Lothians and who are over the age of 55 on the day of the competition so it certainly addresses that issue. There are handicap and scratch prizes in 3 age ranges.

The R M Lees Trophy is the top scratch prize. The leading scratch player will be in strong contention for a place in the Lothians Seniors team in the Seniors Area Team Championship and this event also influences the other places in that 6 man team. The Lothians won the Scottish event in 2019, 2021 and 2023.

The history of the event and a list of the winners can be seen by clicking the 'History' heading at the bottom of the list on the left hand side of this page.

2025

Monday, 7th July saw one of our most popular events take place at Uphall Golf Club, with nearly 100 entries, the Lothians Seniors Championship was another excellent day of golf with everyone vying for the Ian McNiven Quaich which is presented to the lowest overall handicap player. Last years winner, Lawrence McFadyen returned to his home club to defend the title he won at Kilspindie last year.

This years competition had a slightly different outcome for the Scratch competition with the four best Scratch players being invited to play in a play off for the R M Lees Trophy. The play offs took place in August at Kingsknowe GC and were part of a festival of golf with the culmination of the Seniors Scratch, The Junior Champion of Champions Scratch, the Champion of Champions and the Handicap Matchplay tournaments. Last years recipient David Campbell of Ratho Park, returned to try and make it back to back wins.

We wished all the players the best of luck at Uphall, which provides three handicap and two scratch prizes in each of the three age categories. Playing at Uphall gave lots of people a look at the new clubhouse facilities now provided by the host club after their tragic fire a few years ago. The Uphall players excelled taking 9 of the 15 prizes with Alan Thomson  (Uphall) the overall winner of the Ian MacNiven Trophy.

2025 Scratch Match Play Finals

As mentioned above the R M Lees Scratch Trophy was contested for as a match play event for the first time this year. The four leading available players in the qualifying event were Tom Cannon (Baberton), Alan Smith (Gullane), Chris Brown (Bruntsfield Links) and David Fleming (Greenburn). In the semi finals both matches were very close and were decided on the 19th green with David Fleming and Chris Brown reaching the final. The final was even closer with Chris Brown (Bruntsfield Links GS) winning in the twilight at the 20th green. He has the rare distiction of having won both this event and the Men's Champion of Champions which he won at Muirfield in 2012

R M Lees Scratch Champion Chris Brown (Bruntsfield Links)  

receiving the trophy from Lothians President John Hall.