The 2026 Highland Tour always looked to be excitingly different this year for several reasons. Not least because we were pleased to welcome 7 members to their first JBGS event.
It started on the Tuesday with an additional event – a match against the members at Golspie GC to celebrate both their James Braid Centenary Festival of Golf and the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the James Braid Golfing Society.
This was followed by the very convivial and always eagerly awaited match at Fortrose and Rosemarkie GC. Long standing rivalries and friendships between the two sides are anticipated with delight and never fail to live up to expectations.
The match against members of Royal Dornoch GC followed with all the JBGS members excited about seeing the fabulous new Clubhouse – which was indeed, utterly amazing. It will certainly be remembered for the unbelievable light show we were treated to.
Not to be outdone, members enjoyed calm conditions (and The incident at the Burn) at Brora GC where the JBGS’s main Stableford competition – The Founding Meeting, takes place.
Click here for the Captain’s report and read on for more details and photos of the events.
And before we even got going, Roy Pickavance invited us all to his 80th birthday party at Brora GC on the Monday evening. Thank you, and Happy Birthday Roy, enjoy the red tees, and many Happy Returns.
Day 1 -Tuesday 23rd June
The tour started with members convening on a bright sunny day at Golspie GC marking the double celebrations: for Golspie GC, the James Braid Centenary Festival of the completion of Braid’s work on the Golspie course in 1926 and for the JBGS members, the 30th anniversary of the Founding of the Society in 1996.
The Highlands – on a sunny day!
The JBGS Captain thanked JBGS member Steve Darlingon, who was key to arranging the event. The result of the match was a 7½ to 2½ win by the members at Golspie GC – the Captain was relieved that members had not let him down and no re-writing of his speech was required.
Day 2 – Wednesday 24th June
Today saw members of the JBGS enjoying a beautiful day at Fortrose and Rosemarkie GC. But the challenge was, could they muster another win after the very unusual occurrence last year?
And then the eagerly awaited outcome from the day. A brilliant time was had by all and the weather was superb too. The food was excellent and most importantly, the course was in very good shape and found to be very much to the JBGS members’ their liking. The outcome was an 8 to 3 win by the JBGS members.
Day 3 – Thursday 25th June
All the JBGS members playing at Royal Dornoch today were excitedly looking forward to seeing the new Clubhouse. It was most impressive externally, very luxurious internally and certainly exceeded all expectations in every way. However back to the main reason for being there, the JBGS match against members of the club. The club’s team numbers were slightly down this year, and with that and a couple of drop outs, fortunately all JBGS members were able to play in the match.
David, Chris, Duncan and Barrie
The Seniors’ Captain at Royal Dornoch GC
What a great day we had at Royal Dornoch. A thoroughly enjoyable match against the members of the club.
a great meal in the super new clubhouse, and an amazing thunderstorm of biblical proportions after the meal. The storm produced rain, and hail, like no one had seen before with lightning show that lit up the skies as if it was daylight. The score was a 7½ to 4½ win to the members of Royal Dornoch GC on a wonderful day which will be fondly remembered in so many different ways.
Day 4 – Friday 26th June
And so to the finale of the The Highland Tour – The Founding Meeting at Brora GC. This is the Society’s main competition of the year played as an Individual Stableford.
But before this the annual Forum meeting was held in the clubhouse. This is the opportunity for members to hear about the Society’s plans and to ask their own questions.
The day was memorable for many different reasons; but notably the opportunity was taken to celebrate the milestone of the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the James Braid Golfing Society with mugs marking this occasion handed out to all attendees. (Others are being sent by post to those not able to attend.) The golf competition also provided the notable occurrence now known as The incident with the Burn by yours truly – fortunately there are no photos of this. Read on for more details.
And the Incident at the Burn, was on hole 5, when yours truly’s trolley blew, wheels up, into the Burn – which was a raging torrent after the huge thunder storm the night before. But thanks to my wonderful playing partners everything was recovered and the round continued nicely, and without further incident. But, note to self – put the brake on next time!
In the evening following the golf the society members met up for the annual dinner at Brora Golf Club, where the captain announced the day’s winners. These were as follows:
The Peter Thompson Memorial Trophy: Winner: Rich Gold, Runner up: Scott Kelly
The Captain’s Pink Balls: Winner: Alison Stanbrook, Runner up: Angela Grant
The Curate’s Egg: Winner: Mike Harris (Best score on the middle 6 holes.)
Heroes of the Week: Winners: Chris Taylor and Steve Race (Steve guided Chris around on his return to golf following illness.)
James Braid
As always, enter the Fines Master, Len Bunton, to ruthlessly hand out penalties for misdemeanours reported to him during the week. An amnesty was offered to all members to avoid heavy fines. With a clear level of guilt amongst JBGS members, £400 was raised for Brora GC Junior Section and presented to the Club on the night.
This was a very memorable tour, showing the true spirit of James Braid and the JBGS which honours his name.
But finally, from Captain Barrie Thomas, “once again, it was a fantastic week, where it was great to see both old friends and make new! A heartfelt thank you to all the JBGS members who attended.”
Onwards now to Fife in September.
