THE BIRTH OF ‘THE BRAIDS’ AND THE DISPATCH TROPHY

**Johnny Jones discovers some photographic golfing treasures**

A few years ago, while leafing through some old photograph albums piled up on a battered chair in an antique shop, three pages of sepia photographs, showing crowds of people watching golfers, caught the author’s eye.

The photographs were all quarter-plate size and apart from the pencilled date of 1890 there were no other identifying marks. However, I did recognise the distinctive clubhouse at the Braid Hills Golf Course, Edinburgh, Scotland and given the number of spectators, it was obvious these photos had been taken at an important occasion.

So with his interest aroused I bought the old album and resolved to investigate.

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A subsequent search of the Scotsman Archive showed that a Civic ceremony was held to mark the opening of the Braids Hills Park on 30^th May 1889 and that the Braid Hills Golf Course was officially opened three months later on 5^th September.

But as these photographs were dated 1890 (and there is no reason to doubt this) it appeared another important event had taken place soon after the course opened.

Further research revealed the only other event of note that took place on “The Braids” in 1890 (in April), was the inaugural Evening Dispatch Challenge.

So it seems these fascinating photographs record a historic local sporting event (one which continues annually to this day) – and in all probability – are the first photographic records of competitive golf on the Braids.

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I find it therapeutic to uncover the history from old photographs, and enjoy sharing my findings here. It is fantastic that the magazine Edinburgh Life has shown such a keen interest in my research as they provide it with a wider audience, as they have customers worldwide. My article ‘The Dispatch Trophy’ is seen below on their front cover for this period’s edition.

Thanks again

Johnny

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