Good things come to those who wait. That’s certainly the case for West Kilbride Golf Club as it prepares to host the Ramsdens Currency Scottish PGA Championship for a third time.
The delightful Ayrshire links first staged the domestic circuit’s flagship event back in 1960 when the decorated Ryder Cup player and captain Eric Brown won the fourth of his eight national titles.
The championship didn’t return to this neck of woods again until 2022 but it’s back again here in 2026 as the club renews its acquaintance with the Tartan Tour showpiece.
Four years ago, West Kilbride certainly served up a treat as Alastair Forsyth went the full distance and more to claim the title with a play-off victory over Paul O’Hara.
In a thrilling finale, Forsyth pipped O’Hara at the second extra-hole after the sparring duo had finished locked at the top on 15-under following rounds of 68 and 71 respectively.
Twenty-two years after he first won the Scottish PGA Championship, Forsyth bridged a sizeable title gap to etch his name on to the famous old trophy for a second time.
The Paisley man will not be returning this year, as he continues his rookie campaign on the over-50s Legends Tour, but O’Hara will be back to defend the crown he won in nail-nibbling fashion 12 months ago at Scotscraig.
On a dramatic day of fluctuating fortunes at the sharp end of the leaderboard, O’Hara trundled in a 15-footer for a decisive three as he pipped the gallant Craig Lee to the title by a single shot.
The 38-year-old’s one-under 70 gave him a 17-under aggregate and a slender victory over Lee, who came barging up the order with a rousing 64. It was Lee’s sixth second place finish in the national championship.
Who will conquer in 2026 remains to be seen but one thing we can say with certainty is that West Kilbride will provide a wonderful stage upon which the very best of the Tartan Tour will be showcased.
The examination will be robust too. “We’ve been fortunate with the weather in that we’ve had heat and rain which is a nice combination,” said Stuart Fairgrieve, the club’s general manager.
“It was getting very, very brown. That bit of rain has made it greener again but it’s still very linksy.
“It’s always a good test. The course is so exposed, and the wind gives it the protection. The chances of getting four calm days in a row here are quite slim.
“It’s a typical links, it’ll never play the same one day to the next. And it can catch you out no matter what.”
West Kilbride is well used to hosting championship golf and the return of the Ramsdens Currency Scottish PGA Championship is another feather in its cap.
“It’s great for the club to have events of this stature,” added Fairgrieve. “We’ve had a run of events here over the years, whether it’s PGA tournaments, R&A championships or Scottish Golf events.
“You try and get a big event like this every year or so. It keeps the club relevant. The members are very supportive and always proud that their club can host such occasions.”
As well as title holder O’Hara, who will be aiming for a third national crown, and last year’s runner-up Lee, the field also includes host club hero and two-time champion Graham Fox, the in-form Graeme Robertson, a back-to-back champion in 2023 and 2024, and Jack McDonald, who played in The Open at Royal Birkdale earlier this summer.
