A Wonderful Week

I really have had an amazing week. It started off with my first food tour for Kevin at Scottish Golf Experience and it couldn’t have gone any better to be honest. Eight wonderful guys from North Carolina were across for a week’s golf and had just pitched up in town. They were excellent company and we had a superb night of it. Thank you guys for making that such a fun experience for me too.

Now, I was playing the Old Course on Thursday evening and practicing my putting before teeing off. I heard some very familiar voices at the side of the green and it was the North Carolina lads who had just finished playing. We had a wee chat and it turned out they had all managed to get a game on the Old through the ballot system apart from Jeff. So I said that he could join me and Isaac as we were just about to tee off. The guys looked a bit incredulous in the least at this offer, but sure enough Jeff was able to play with us and we had a great game in the evening sun on the old lady.

His friend Joe walked out to caddie for him last few holes and the rest of his mates walked out to see him play the last hole in the fading St Andrews light, which was lovely. A fine end to their week in the auld toon.

I was so glad to help here as it would have been real tough on Jeff missing out on playing the Old. And what a bit of a player he is, having just started the game about ten years back, he has an incredible swing and touch.

A lovely man as well, as were all the group. I really do have so much time for nearly all the Americans I meet. They are impressive.

Now, I played in the first round of the Jock Hutchinson on the New Course on Saturday and got off to a flying start. However the wheels came off on the par 5, third hole, where left with only a five iron second shot in, I walked off with an 8 and then proceeded to drop a further 7 shots over the next three holes! 10 over after six! Consistency is not in my golf bag! Nor my life bag for that matter.

I did pretty well to finish at plus 12 and give myself a wee chance to qualify for the match play on the Old Course and one of the most coveted trophies in the club.

So must go for now folks as I am due out on the Eden for the second round in an hour, the rain is coming down a bit but I’m feeling bullish. But I always feel bullish before a game of golf mind!

Have a good one folks.

postscript on Jock Hutchinson:

2nd round: I had another disaster on the Eden with a 9 on the 3rd hole again. I won’t talk you through it though. It appears now that I am very borderline to qualify. Tant pis !

C’est la vie.

Post postscript: I did qualify for the match play over the Old Course in the Jock Hutchinson!

There manifestly is a golf god.

Fare forward passengers.