Iain McLean Wins Centenary Ladies Cup
Congratulations to Iain McLean who has won The Ladies Cup in the prestigious competition’s centenary year.
The historic competition – first played for in 1926 – was originally organised by the Ladies of Gullane village, who donated a small silver miniature one hundred years ago. The inaugural winner was Peter Morin of Dirleton Castle GC, so it is particularly fitting that Iain, the current Dirleton Castle captain, is this year’s winner.
One of the most prestigious match play competitions in East Lothian, the Ladies Cup is open to male members of all East Lothian golf clubs, with a field of 128 players competing on Gullane No.1 throughout the knock-out stages. Indeed, this year’s line-up featured players from each one of East Lothian’s clubs.
In this year’s final, having emerged successfully through six matches, Iain defeated Dunbar Golf Club’s Douglas Sanderson, etching his name on the famous silverware for the second time, having been the victor back in 2023.
“I am thrilled to win The Ladies Cup during its centenary year, and it means a lot to have my name on the trophy for a second time. It is a fantastic competition to play in and fabulous to see golfers from across East Lothian represented in the draw.”
“Jeff Aitken, who acts as chairman, has done a wonderful job in maintaining The Ladies Cup through his hard work and organisation, and it’s an event that many golfers look out for at the start of the season. I look forward to seeing the competition continue to go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
The competition was organised for many years by the well-known Robertson Durham family and was taken over by Mrs Robertson Durham’s sister Mrs Bowhill (of Bowhill Cup game) in the late1950s. Following her passing, Mrs Guy Robertson took over the organisation of the event but unfortunately all previous records of the competition were lost, and the running of the event was eventually passed onto the Secretary of Gullane Golf Club. The competition was rejuvenated in 1970 when an independent organising committee was formed to take on its running, with input from Sir Ian Bowhill, who had taken a keen interest in the Ladies Cup throughout its history.
The Ladies Cup committee still remains, and with the original trophy having found a home in Australia, a new trophy purchased in 1983, which is the one we see on display today.
The maximum handicap for the Ladies Cup is 18.3, while the winner receives £200 together with the trophy, and all winners from the fourth round onwards are presented with a prize voucher. Reigning champion Iain will be joining the Ladies Cup committee to assist with the running of next season’s competition.