Sunday night report

Our annual home encounter with Carnoustie Mercantile, the matches in their 40th year.

We put out a team of heavyweights, determined to triumph and retain the much coveted trophy.

On the first tee, Mr Brian McIntosh was heard (from the 2nd green) to say that it didn't matter about the result - as long as we all had a "guid laugh" - there wasn't a lot of laughing going on as he passed us heading up the 13th, shouting something about "21 handicap my farce" (or something like that). Matters weren't helped by the fact that his playing partner, Richard "Armitage" McAulay is not currently on his best form - although we hear he is seeking professional help.

David McIntosh and Trevor "Tiger" Hayes wasted no time in getting their opponents in a verbal headlock, the match effectively over as a contest on the 4th green.

Playing again with John "sleeping-beauty" Seaton, I managed to contribute a bit more than I had at Carnoustie in May, and we managed to win on the 16th.

In fact the home team prevailed strongly, with one pair graciously allowing Carnoustie a win, thereby avoiding a whitewash. The banter afterwards was the usual discussion of politics and philosophy, with one Carnoustie member mercilessly teased about sombreros, horses and tequila.

Great fun, as these matches always are, particularly against such "like-minded" opponents.