Dave Edwards is making a determined bid to claim outright ownership of the Renton Laidlaw Quaich after getting his hands on the coveted prize for the second time.

In an event hosted by AGW chairman Martin Dempster at his home club of Aberdour in Fife, the retired Press & Journal man amassed an impressive 38 points to repeat his win in the inaugural staging in 2020.

Edwards had arrived without his waterproofs and looked as though he might regret that as dark clouds appeared just before the first of five groups was about to tee off at the picturesque course on the north bank of the Firth of Forth.

But, though it turned a bit cold, even for Scotland on the opening day of May, the rain stayed away, much to the delight of Edwards, even though he’d purchased a top just in case in the pro shop.

Dave Edwards receiving the Renton Laidlaw Quaich from AGW Chairman Martin Dempster at Aberdour Golf Club,

Having said that, he got off to an inauspicious start by having to reload on the first tee after sending his opening effort into a gorse bush beginning with a blob.

But it was onwards and upwards thereafter as he picked up 16 points by the turn before turning on the style on the back nine, where he accumulated an impressive 22 points for an overall haul of 38.

On a day of good scoring, BBC Scotland man Brian McLauchlin finished second on 35 points, closely followed by Scott MacCallum (Straight Down the Middle Communications/Turf Matters) on 34 points.

While it wasn’t his best of days, David Facey definitely deserves a shout out, having travelled up from his home in Blackpool specifically to play in the event then heading straight back down the M6 afterwards.

Along with everyone else, he managed to sample Aberdour’s excellent catering, which was kindly laid on by the chairman, before heading out for his round while a dozen in the group also enjoyed food afterwards and were joined by Yvonne Edwards, Dave’s wife, after she’d accompanied on the journey down from Banffshire and visited their daughter over in Edinburgh as Dave was playing golf.

“It was a fantastic day at my beloved Aberdour,” said the AGW chairman. “The club kindly offered me complimentary tee times for up to 20 players and, topped up by some invited guests, we had a good turnout.

“We were also joined for lunch by our president, Lewine Mair, and it was very pleasing indeed for me to hear that everyone in attendance now knows how I love spending time at my home club, both on the course and in the clubhouse, which enjoys stunning views over the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh.”

Ed Hodge, Dave Edwards & Dave Facey
Mike Aitken, Brian McLauchlin & Mike Woodcock
Euan McLean, Malcolm Campbell and Martin Vousden
Nick Rodger, David Connor & Scott MacCallum

2023 RENTON LAIDLAW QUAICH – FULL SCORES

38pts – Dave Edwards (21 handicap) – New AGW handicap – 19

35pts – Brian McLauchlin (13)

34pts – Scott MacCallum (17)

31pts – Malcolm Campbell (11), Martin Vousden (20)

30pts – Mike Aitken (16)

29pts – Euan McLean (14), Ed Hodge (7), Martin Dempster (10)

27pts – Nick Rodger (19)

25pts – David Facey (16)

Guest winner

37pts – Mike Woodcock, R&A (16)

Nearest-the-pin-prizes

1st – Martin Vousden

18th – David Connor, St Andrews Links Trust