On Friday 27th February, the LUGS travelled north to the historic links of Muirfield for our annual fixture against the SUGS, the Scottish Universities Golfing Society. From the moment we arrived, it was clear we were in for a day to remember.
The weather was nothing short of phenomenal. Under bright skies and with only the gentlest whisper of coastal breeze, Muirfield was shown at its very best. The course itself was presented immaculately — fairways pristine, greens rolling true, and bunkers as penal as ever. It was a privilege to tee it up on a layout in such perfect condition.
The morning matches were fiercely contested throughout. Both sides traded blows across the links, with matches ebbing and flowing in classic fashion. At the halfway stage, LUGS held a narrow but well-earned 3–2 lead. A notable result was Jonny Calder’s (against the run of play) defeat of his wife Nicola and her partner Ian despite a spirited comeback. Spirits were high, and the belief was very much alive.
Lunch in the clubhouse more than lived up to expectations. Spectacular in both quality and hospitality, it provided the ideal interlude – a chance to recount the morning’s heroics, regroup for the afternoon and enjoy the camaraderie that makes this fixtures so special.
Refuelled and refocused, both teams returned to the course for the decisive session. SUGS, buoyed by home advantage and clearly unwilling to concede their ground, mounted an impressive comeback. Despite several tightly fought matches and valiant efforts from the LUGS side, momentum shifted. As the final putts dropped, the scoreboard read 7.5–4.5 in favour of SUGS.
If lunch had set the standard, dinner somehow surpassed it. The evening was even more wonderful – superb food, excellent company, and the kind of atmosphere that reminds us why these traditional fixtures endure. Stories grew taller, putts grew shorter (in the retelling) and plans were quietly laid for revenge in the return fixture.
While the result ultimately went the way of the SUGS, the day was a tremendous success in every other regard: exceptional golf, outstanding hospitality and a fitting showcase for university golf at one of the game’s great venues.
We thank the SUGS and Muirfield for their generous hosting – and we look forward eagerly to the next encounter.
| SUGS | LUGS | |||
| 1 | David Simpson/Callum Connacher | Nick Holt/Mike Kershaw | W | |
| 2 | Neil Steven/David Greenshields | W | Alex Modgill/Gorm Nielsen | |
| 3 | Mark Kernaghan/Sandy Reid | Hugh Jackson/Joe Park | W | |
| 4 | Jonny Calder/Al Pugh | W | Nicola Calder/Ian Raisbeck | |
| 5 | Ross Finlay/Andrew Jessop | John Dennis/Andrew Berryman | W | |
| Morning Score | 2 | 3 | ||
| 1 | Fraser McCluskey/David Giffin | W | Jeremy Smith/Nick Kershaw | |
| 2 | Phil Pritchett/Sandy Reid | Halved | Stuart Lloyd/Hugh Maurice | Halved |
| 3 | David Simpson/Neil Steven | Hugh Jackson/Ian Raisbeck | W | |
| 4 | David Greenshields/Callum Connacher | W | Nick Holt/Alex Modgill | |
| 5 | Mark Kernaghan/Ewan Cameron | W | John Dennis/Mike Kershaw | |
| 6 | Ross Finlay/Jonny Calder | W | Gorm Nielsen/Joe Park | |
| 7 | Andrew Jessop/Al Pugh | W | Nicola Calder/Andrew Berryman | |
| Afternoon Score | 5.5 | 1.5 | ||
Result: SUGS beat LUGS by 7.5-4.5
London University Golfing Society 