The Edward Trophy – A Modern Classic at Gailes Links

If the Tennant Cup represents Victorian tradition, the Edward Trophy is a story of modern ambition and enduring quality. First played in 1973, this 54-hole stroke-play championship was created by Glasgow Golf Club to add a major new tournament to Scotland’s amateur calendar — one that would showcase the challenge and charm of its celebrated championship links at Gailes.

The trophy takes its name from David Edward, a past Captain of the club who was widely respected for his commitment to amateur golf. Edward believed in creating opportunities for talented players to compete at the highest level and saw the potential for Gailes Links to host an event that would attract the very best. His vision quickly became reality.

From its earliest stagings, the Edward Trophy drew strong fields from across the UK, and it didn’t take long for the event to gain a reputation as a stern but fair test of golf. Gailes Links — with its firm, running fairways, clever bunkering, and unpredictable coastal winds — asks the kind of searching questions that only the best ball-strikers and course managers can answer. It’s no surprise that the Edward Trophy has become a proving ground for players destined for national titles, international caps, and even professional careers.

Though younger than the Tennant Cup by almost a century, the Edward Trophy has carved out its own place among Scotland’s most respected amateur events. To win it is to have passed one of the game’s most exacting examinations — and to have your name alongside a distinguished list of champions who met the challenge of Gailes at its most demanding.