Blog 2026

19th January 2026

Iain L MacLeod R.I.P.

A sad occasion for Port Bannatyne Golf Club with the death of Iain Lewis MacLeod.
53 years a member, former Captain and was Centenary Captain, hard working and an extremely efficient and effective Secretary for nearly 30 years, driving force behind many of the initiatives that that the present day membership enjoy including the modernisation of the old clubhouse, he will be sadly missed.
Our thoughts and condolences are sent to Helen, Kirsty, Rory and his family and Neil.

Jim Bicker

Sadly Iain passed away tis morning the club's oldest member. Iain our Centenary Captain along with Ian Shaw

Iain opening the Centenary bridge.

Iain and John Preston who died last year.

Iain and his friend of many decades Glyn Meridith at Muckle Flugga

19th January 2026

Rothesay Motors Winter League  week 3

Today we were back to Rothesay Motors Winter League business after a few weeks layoff with the weather.
With all 36 players in action on a damp but perfectly playable course, it stayed dry and the thought of a steaming bowl of homemade soup or Mac n Cheese up the clubhouse afterwards with a few beers kept everyone moving.
First out at 8:30 were Roddie Leitch & Chrissy Lawrence v Robert McArthur & Gordy McIntyre. Roddie and Chrissy took a good lead with some great golf, when at 2 under par at the turn found themselves 2 up, after the next few holes they were 4 up with 5 to play. Robert and Gordy made a late charge though winning the next 3 holes to be only 1 down with two to play. Then younger pairing holing out from distance at 17 to take the tie 2&1.
Next up Jordan Leitch (s) & Iain McFarlane took on Davie Kilpatrick & Neil Mckirdy, this game was fairly tight through the first 6-8 holes, but a great run of birdie/par golf from Jordan & Iain seen them run out for a handsome 4&2 victory.
Ewan Irvine & David McNee(s) took on last years champions Stuart Gilchrist & Kalum Ledicott in game 3, the champions struggled in this one, the game always just edging away from them. Ewan & David closing out with a good 3&2 win.
The forth game out was Carl Kelly & Colin Muir against David Driver & Graham Fisher, this was nip and tuck the whole way round, some great golf in this one, the two teams couldn’t be separated after 18 holes and was a tied game.
Game 5 was John Black with club captain Matt Dunn v Jack Standaloft & Gordon Currie. This was a one sided affair from the off, it was a matter of when and by how many, John & Matthew comfortable 4&3 winners.
Colin Renfrew(s) & Martin Young took on Hector Whitelaw & Al Stewart in game 6, on paper this should have been a close one, but Colin and Martin dominated taking the match with a commanding 5&4 victory.
Tie 7 was another tight match, Graham Dunn & David Rutherford taking on John Whitelaw and Alex Morrison Cowan, this went all the way to the 18th with Graham and David making the 3 which took the game 1up.
The penultimate match was Sean Lawrence & Martin Myatt v David Greer & Neil Whitelaw, another close run game with no more than 2 holes separating the pairing’s the whole way round, ending in another tied match.
Fiona game of the day saw Matt McLean (s) & Stewart Izat against new pairing Lawrence Devine & Stephen Dunn, nothing complicated with this one, Stewart Izat rolling back the year, a great putting display ended in a 4&3 win for himself and Matt.
Well done to all involved.
Huge well done to Graham and Duncan for their hard work this week, the weather has been honking this last 10 days and the course was better than anyone expected.
Thanks as always to Leighton and family at Rothesay motor services for their continued support for our club.

2nd January 2026

Captain v Vice Captains medal

So today up on the course we had the annual Captain v Vice Captains medal, this year it was father and son, Matthew Dunn v Graham Dunn.
24 players took to the course, as always in superb condition with tees and greens all cut yesterday.
The Captain bought everyone a drink of choice as did Graham.
Then the battle commenced.
With some great scoring in tough windy conditions it was Vice Captain Graham Dunn who came out on top, a winter league format played, with the final score 4-2 to the Vice Captains team.
A piping hot bowl of hearty soup awaited everyone when they came back in and a few beers enjoyed.
Thanks to all who took part, great to see the course as busy.
Full teams below;
Captains team.
Matthew Dunn, Stephen Dunn, Joe Livingston, Duncan Lyon, Roddie Leitch, Fraser McGregor, Davie Kilpatrick, Phil Williams, David Greer, Graham Fisher, Donald Standaloft and John Whitelaw.
Vice captains team;
Graham Dunn, Scott Dunn, Jimmy Poole, Ewan Irvine, Chrissy Lawrence, Craig Fisher, Neil McKirdy, Stewart Izat, Iain McFarlane, Alan Stewart, David Whitelaw and Neil Whitelaw.
Huge shout out goes to two of our junior members, Fraser and Craig for joining us. Both played really well under tough conditions.