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

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Stopped off for a quick look at East Sands Beach



5 minute or so drive to the Fairmont Resort. 2 courses available, had pre-booked the Kittocks course.






Before I got to the pro shop to check in, was met before I got there. Invited inside, had all the facilities shown and described to me, then off to get changed.
Free swinging could be an issue - thermal, shirt quarter zip, jacket and puffer jacket. Also for the second time ever playing golf, long pants.
Hit on the range, only one there and navigating this wind might be an issue, as well as hitting with frozen hands.


Nice views though


The Fairmont Hotel


Off I went

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Unsurprisingly, not many people on course

Fourth hole and where I lost my first ball






Some beautiful holes





Choppy waters, wing picking up even more'


Skies getting darker