Academia, Old Tom Morris and a London Letdown

[Noel Mugavin]

9th

Finished the front 9 playing bogey golf. Very happy with that.


Sausage roll from the halfway house.
At some stage one of the young Scottish blokes, Connor, asked where I was from in Australia. Told him Perth. That's where my brother and his girlfriend are living at the moment he told me. More discussion, a message to his sister, turns out live in the next suburb to me.

10th turns back toward the Eden River, with the wind behind the back


Nice par to start then back 9

Par 3 11th, bit of danger


Bit timid, landed short but safe





American bloke put one pretty close, then stood next to it waiting, looking at us. Eventually asked 'is that good?
'Your asking the wrong bloke mate, I give nothing'
He putted out for a birdie

 

[PERLHR]

Huh...love the A400M photo bomb at low level....probably running up and down the east coast...

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Last 7 returning to town into the breeze. Each hole worth an extra shot according to Peter.
12th hole, hidden fairway bunkers from when the course played in the opposite direction.
What breeze? 2 putt par.

Spoke too soon. Doubled the next 3 battling the breeze.













Hell bunker on the Par 5 14th


Not me, but Connor found himself in there much to the mirth of the group. He got out really well though in 1 shot.
Found myself in a bunker close to the green. Successfully out in one and only trip to the sand for the day.
.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Arrested the slide with a bogey on the 16th



The Road Hole.


Discussion with Peter on the tee, I was struggling into the wind with the driver and the safe and smart play was to go the bail out along the left of the hotel.
Start of my backswing, thought f### it, might only be here once and went the aggressive route over the O in Course


Worked a treat, middle of the fairway. Unfortunately into the wind took another 2 shots to get to the green, then 3 putted.


Jigger Inn

Only 80 or so out, 50 degree held up in the wind and ended on the edge of the green


We lost Steve somewhere along the way on this hole. He had an absolute shocker off the tee and then i must have just got worse for him

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The 18th

Old Tom Morris, Nicklaus, Tiger, Rory, Noel Mugavin* (May not be my real name), all the greats





Not the greatest tee shot, bit to the right, duffed my second, third on the green about 6 feet from the pin
Looking back





After my third shot, Peter's handed me my putter and told me 'Enjoy the best feeling in golf, walking to the 18th green with your putter in your hand'
And it was a great feeling. Took my time, took it all in, amazing golf hole, course and town,

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Putt for par, hit it well, unfortunately horseshoed around the hole, tap in for bogey.



Round over, bid my farewells to my playing partners and Peter. Was on a high, just played the Old Course and played well, although to be honest that wouldn't have mattered if I didn't. Just a special feeling playing it.


Hung around a bit watching groups coming into 18. Everyone seemed happy, much unlike what you normally see on the 18th hole of a golf course.
Eventually dragged myself away, lured to the clubhouse pro shop. Amazing how a good mood causes you to be blind to price tags.
Couple of last photos, then the end of a great day.

 

[Larko1]

Great report @Noel Mugavin
Was lucky enough to play The Old, New, Jubilee, & Eden courses back in 1987.
Your photos brought back many great & not so great memories of my week there.
Enjoy the rest of your travels