Old trophy ignites firm rivalry

A long-forgotten golf rivalry could be resurrected after more than 70 years following a delve into the history of a trophy once competed for by two wellknown Tayside businesses.

It is believed the prize, which was discovered recently, was last awarded after a tournament in 1949 between staff at electronics and cash register manufacturer NCR Dundee and Brechin-based Coventry Gauge and Tool.

The latter business, now known as Matrix International, is a leading designer and provider of electromagnetic clutches and brakes but was contracted by the UK Government to make munitions before the Second World War.

The work appears to have informed the design of the unusual trophy, with two shells used as uprights and dials from a launch device included as decoration.

A shield at the centre of the trophy, which was provided by NCR alongside supporting golf clubs and balls, appears to confirm the competition took place at Edzell Golf Club, but little else is known about the particulars of the tournament.

The prize has remained at NCR’s Fulton Road offices ever since but the firm will put seven decades of bragging rights on the line after challenging Matrix International to a rematch at Downfield Golf Club on September 20.

Jack Mannion, production management director at NCR, who set down the challenge, said: “We have been modernising some of the office space and coming across a lot of things that have been on display over the years and this was one of them.”

“It’s sat here for 70 years so I’m sure Matrix will be quite keen to take it back up the road to Brechin with them.”

The unusual trophy.