Longniddry 2026

A charming blend of woodland parkland and seaside links, sunshine, stunning views over the Firth of Forth, a hole-out for eagle to seal the win, and a pair of blue snakeskin golf shoes worth a mention of their own — Longniddry delivered a truly memorable day of golf.

Course Highlights

Established in 1921 and designed by the legendary Harry S. Colt, Longniddry Golf Club offers an unusual and charming blend of seaside links and tight woodland parkland. A par-68 layout measuring 6,260 yards, with stunning views over the Firth of Forth throughout — a course with genuine character on every hole.

Longniddry transitions beautifully from tree-lined, heathland-style inland holes into open, coastal linksland by the 14th— a proper "two courses in one" feel. It's also a course with no par-5s at all, yet boasts numerous long par-4s stretching over 400 yards. That par of 68 is a surprisingly stern test — the kind of scorecard that looks straightforward until you're standing on the tee.

Weather Conditions

Dry with sunny spells and a moderate breeze — genuinely pleasant Scottish conditions. Enough wind to keep things honest without making scoring impossible, and dry ground bringing plenty of extra run in the fairways. The field made the most of it.

Memorable Moments

The shot of the day belonged to Charlie Wilson (11.8) on the 330-yard par-4 11th — Charlie holed his second shot from over 100 yards for an eagle 2 and a maximum 5 Stableford points. The kind of moment that gets talked about for weeks afterwards, and one that would prove pivotal at the top of the leaderboard.

Honourable mention also to Mark Stephen (Cruden Bay) for his blue snakeskin golf shoes — apparently only two pairs in existence anywhere in the world. A properly memorable bit of footwear and probably deserving of a prize category all of its own.

Tournament Highlights

The top of the WHS leaderboard couldn't have been closer. Two teams tied at 47 points, with the title decided on a better back nine — Charlie Wilson's eagle on the 11th helping just enough to seal victory for the winners.

The Best Gross round of the day belonged to Tony McCurdie (2.7) and Scott McIlwraith (+0.8), who shot a stunning 1-under-par 67 — a round built on 2 birdies, 1 bogey, and 15 pars. Genuinely classy, controlled golf from tee to green.

Jack Halley (3.1) and Abby Stirling (20.4) took full advantage of the dry conditions and plenty of run in the links fairways, both hitting huge drives on the 3rd to take the Men's and Ladies' Long Drive prizes respectively.

The downhill 169-yard 6th was our Nearest the Pin hole — and John Garden (11.1) stiffed his tee shot to within a couple of feet, both taking the prize and holing the putt for a 2.

Winners

Huge congratulations to Charlie Wilson (11.8) and Kevin Skelton (16.8), who took the top spot with a superb 47 points — edging out their nearest challengers on a better back nine, thanks in no small part to Charlie's stunning eagle at the 11th.

A massive well played to James Brownie (11.7) and Paddy Cuthbertson (15.4) in the runners-up spot, matching the winning score of 47 points. A fantastic effort and desperately unlucky to come out on the wrong side of countback.

Best Gross honours went to Tony McCurdie and Scott McIlwraith with a stunning -1 (67) — a proper display of low-handicap golf.

On the Course

Plenty of action away from the main leaderboard too:

• Men's Longest Drive (3rd) — Jack Halley
• Ladies' Longest Drive (3rd) — Abby Stirling
• Nearest the Pin (6th) — John Garden (and a 2 to boot!)

Well played to all three for stepping up when it mattered.

A brilliant day at a truly one-of-a-kind Scottish venue. Thanks to everyone who played, to Longniddry Golf Club for hosting us so well, and huge congratulations once again to Charlie and Kevin on a memorable eagle-fuelled win. Onto the next one.

Leaderboard can be found here.