Academia, Old Tom Morris and a London Letdown

[Noel Mugavin]

Dinner at Mr Wangs, then the short battle with the wind to the sanctuary of the hotel ready for an early start the next morning.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Early exit and quite a task trying to stay as quiet as possible with a heavy bags and creaky stairs.


Used my return portion of yesterday's tram ticket to get back to the airport

Rental cars for me



First time driving a Renault. New fan.


Hours drive north eastish and into St Andrews. Bit of an issue turning into a one way street and not being able to put the car in reverse. No manual in the glove box, so car turned off, bit of googling and soon back on my way.
Sun is out, but brutally cold and windy.
Looking across the Himalayas Putting Course with the Links Clubhouse in the foreground and the Old Course Hotel in the background.

First and 18th fairway, Royal and Ancient Golf Club in the background, dwarfed by the Hamilton Grand, apparently built out of spite


Swilcan Bridge




Road Hole bunker

 

[Noel Mugavin]

There's no play on the Old Course on Sundays due to a number of factors, so it is a public park. Having said that, there were always people wandering around the course even when play was going on during the week.

Jumped in the car and headed to my accommodation where I dropped off my bag and would also have my hire clubs delivered to me. Converted university student accommodation, at the edge of town, however still only a 10 minute walk into the town centre.
Some nice views.

Bags dropped, clubs gathered, back down to the Links Clubhouse to register for the single player ballot for the Old Course on Monday.
At had 8, possible 9 days in St Andrews and 6 or 7 chances in the ballot. Asked a bloke working in the club rooms what my chances were. He said if I was here the week before, would have been 100%, this week 95%. Good to know.
Registration for the ballot is a quick 3 or 4 minute process, done electronically. If successful, all you need to do is provide evidence of an official handicap of under 28 ish, bring clubs, balls and pay about 300 pounds.

New Course and Jubilee Course have their 1st and 18 greens adjacent to the Links Clubhouse






Registration completed, off into town to grab some lunch and a n apple and nuts for my upcoming round.
Plenty of free street parking on the main drag - North Street


Walked to Market Street