Breadalbane XVIII Will Be First Without Legend Roberts
The Breadalbane's only ever-present competitor, Eddie Roberts, has decided that Heron's Reach will, for now, be his final swing in the competition. Roberts bows out after 17 successive appearances, famously lifting the Quaich at Slaley Hall in 2008 at the 2nd Breadalbane. Eddie also steps back on a personal high, having recorded 3 points out of 3 for Taymouth in the Rider Cup; ending as the current highest scoring player in The Rider Cup's short history having amassed 5 points for Taymouth in his 2 appearances.
Eddie was unbeaten in singles, taking the scalps of John Bruce and Adam Duncan in the Sunday format. His individual achievements stretch wider than his crowning moment in Northumberland, being part of 4 winning teams before the format changed, and recording 2 nearest the pins and a longest drive too.
Famous for falling asleep in any position once it gets past 8pm, Eddie will be sadly missed when the competitors come together in 2024. It was also poetic that he witnessed his son, Steven, winning his record 3rd individual title before deciding to step away from the competition. Despite struggling with his swing for several years, Eddie was always a fierce competitor on the course and up for a laugh off it; famously donning matching PJs with Steven at Court after being caught out on social media.
BB News caught up with some of the wider Breadalbane society who were keen to pay homage to Eddie:
James Cornelius (2010 Champion, Founding Foreskin and Retired Judge)
"It is a sad moment to lose Ed from the Breadalbane, especially being the only original player to have made every event. Going back to the very first competition, Eddie showed his true nature with a very generous gimme to Alex Smith Snr. allowing him to become the first champion. It was the mark of a true gentleman. Over the years Ed has had a tendency to fall asleep at any given moment, which might explain why he tends to be fresher than most of us at the early morning tee offs!"
Steven Roberts (3 x Champion, ex-Taymouth Captain and Eddie's son)
"It will be different this year, no doubt. My Dad has been a constant presence since inviting me to the Breadalbane and it was always great to get away for the weekend with him. One of my best memories was at Murrayshall - it was me, Blair and my Dad in a 3 man team playing the Lyndoch. We won it at a canter but had a great laugh on the way round and, with the group behind watching, we jammed in a putt from distance at a late par 3 for birdie and my Dad just about rugby tackled me into the bunker he was that excited! Another great memory for me was sharing a room with him in Tenerife at BB10, was a cracking laugh and a brilliant weekend."
Andy Roberts (2011 Champion, Founding Foreskin and Eddie's Brother)
"Thinking of the first meet, and Ed's play-off with Alex's Dad. I think Ed wanted Alex's Dad to win, but in the true spirit of the game; he was trying like a bear. I was proud of him that day. At the second meeting, I was having a real bad time on the greens, and there was Ed, on the final green down to giggle at my final humiliation. A 4 putt followed, or was it more? He tried not to laugh... too much, but the eyes gave it away. The year I won, I think it was the final day. Again, Ed was trying like a bear, until he knew he couldn't catch me. Gracious after that but I think secretly hoping Steven was playing really well and might come back to snatch it. Brotherly love, eh?! He has been a real stalwart of the weekend; but definitely can't hold his Guinness!"
Craig Roberts (Founding Foreskin, Eddie's Nephew and Bottle Merchant)
"What can be said about Fast Eddie, the longest serving and one of our most decorated Breadalmen? Part of the inaugural event in Kenmore, Eddie immediately showed his golfing class by reaching a tense play off with Alex Orr Smith, played in the sunshine at Taymouth Castle. Although Alex Snr was successful, Eddie has frequently recounted the story of the play off and it is undoubtedly one of the tournament's highlights. His victory at a wet and windy Slaley Hall the following year was deserved, just pipping Alex Smith Jnr in another hard fought affair. In the following years Eddie became central to the success of the Breadalbane. As soon as possible, he encouraged his son Justin Bieber to join our merry band and he in turn was quickly followed by the rest of NSYNC (the Falkirk version) in the years that followed. A veteran of 17 uninterrupted Breadalbane appearances, Eddie was without doubt one of the most popular competitors, loving nothing more than a pint of Guinness, poker, a nap and an early morning sauna and steam room with Baz. Anyone who played with Ed knows nothing frightened him more than getting caught having a shank during a round. His smile, infectious laugh and Christmas pyjamas will all be sorely missed during his retirement."
Jimmy Ramsay (Serial Runner-Up and Food Connoisseur)
"I have fond memories of the battles with Eddie on the course at the Breadalbane. What can I say about Ed? Apart from sleeping at the bar, hooking the ball like Tyson and putting the world to rights in the hot tub or sauna; he will always be a great ambassador for the Breadalbane."
Paul Matuszczyk (Founding Foreskin and Eddie's 2023 Rider Cup Partner)
"When I think of Eddie Roberts, I think of a man who can fall asleep at any moment, regardless of the circumstances or the goings on around. King Kong could be loudly humping Godzilla in the middle of Wembley Stadium whilst Oasis crack out "rock n roll star" and there would be Eddie, in the Prawn Sandwich Brigade, fast asleep."
Gary Cornelius (2015 Champion)
"Eddie; what a legend! Always looked forward to catching up with him at each Breadalbane. He will be greatly missed this year, since attending every one from the outset. I actually roomed with Eddie the year I won at Valle Del Este (Breadalbane IX). His motivational pep talks and evening rub downs were a huge factor in my success! Wish him the best of luck for the future and I am holding out hope he makes a special return for Breadalbane XX."
Baz Ramsay (Presiding Judge and ex-Taymouth Captain)
"I am gutted that Steady Eddie will not be at Breadalbane this year, he was a Founding Foreskin and has not missed one weekend. However, he will be missed this year, from his steady scoring and advice on the course, to his Guinness drinking and falling asleep in the evening. Eddie is a previous winner and has set the standard at the Breadalbane on so many occasions. I personally will miss his humour and support. He was always up for chilling in the pool and sauna. Eddie, you will always be welcome back mate."
Jason Kerr (Founding Foreskin and Salsa Dancer)
"There is one memory that jumps out at me straight away when it comes to Eddie. I believe it was one of the early Breadalbane weekends, must have been the 3rd one. Eddie had the overnight lead and we found him on the Sunday morning, in the steam room, head in hands; completely gubbed from the night before and he knew his chances had gone. I will miss catching up with him this year."
Adam Duncan (2020 Champion and ex-Kenmore Captain)
"I always mind playing with Eddie at Wokefield in the first year of The Rider Cup and he wasn't playing well. I gave him a wee tip on the tee at a par 3 and he stuck it to 6 feet; flush as anything! He was all happy with himself. Can't remember who I was with but they were raging, because we were playing against him. Thankfully his memory is shocking and he forgot what I said, proceeding to shank the next 3 out of 4 irons!"
John Bruce (2 x Champion and ex-Kenmore Captain)
"A couple of memories stand out for me when thinking back over the weekends I have spent in Eddie's company. The first was in the 19th Hole at Valle Del Este with everyone dancing around and doing karaoke. Eddie was sat in the corner with a huge grin on his face watching everything happening and remarked that he wished 'he was young again' to join in. Not 15 minutes later he was in the thick of it, having a great time. The other was a few years ago in Peebles, I had been struggling with my game in the build up to the weekend and declared in the bar whilst sipping on a Guinness with Ed that I was worried about shanking it off the 1st tee. Ed put his pint down in disgust, looked straight at me and enquired why I had even mentioned the word as it would now be in his head! From a personal point of view, I'm glad Eddie the golfer won't be attending, having previously beaten me in The Rider Cup singles and fourballs! However, I will miss Eddie the man and his company at Forest Pines."
Miles Shaw (Welsh)
"What else can be said about Eddie other than a total legend who you could guarantee to fall asleep whilst enjoying the weekend festivities!"
Steven Rodgers (Founding Foreskin and Kenmore Captain)
"What can I say about Ed? An absolute legend of the Breadalbane and an all round great man. It will not be the same without him this year; from falling asleep in the bar, to wearing noise cancellation headphones on rounds just so he doesn't have to listen to our rubbish chat. Ed was always great for a chat and a laugh."
Below is a gallery containing some of Eddie's moments at the Breadalbane over the years:
Whether taking time away from the Breadalbane setup will lead to him trying to get back in further down the line, only time will tell. The whole Breadalbane tour will certainly be hoping so as the retirement of Eddie leaves a gaping hole in the weekend.
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