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

 

[Scash]

First time in Scotland and all going well, wont be my last. Absolutely enamored by the place .

We've spent a fair bit of time in Edinburgh as our son and DIL live there and absolutely love the place. So much to see and do.

 

[Scash]

These piqued my interest
View attachment 509901

That's Calton Hill and worth a look. Its a relatively easy walk up and fantastic views of the city. If you get a clear day you can get amazing sunset views. We normally take a couple of cans of Tennents and sit up there!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Could see the rain coming, was moving into the direction of the wind, but still closing fast



Blue skies to the south



Getting concerning now






Still beautiful views though





Beautiful drive up the hill and then it hit

 

[Scash]

The building on the right of the monument is affectionately known by locals as the golden turd or dog poo building due to its rather unique feature on the top.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Got to my ball at the crest of the hill when the heavens opened. A mad scramble to put my rain weather jacket on. Bear in my mind, I already have 5 layers on and the wind is at cyclonic levels. Buggy starts rolling down the hill, have one arm in a sleeve, 1 out. Absolute disaster. Finally get the jacket on, herd my buggy back, play my shot and the rain stops. Frantic 5 minutes, I was wet, even colder and not loving life very much. Views were still nice though.



Next hole was even more demoralising. Uphill, into the wind and had to get over a row of trees growing in a ravine short of the fairway.
No chance I was getting over the trees into the wind and the inevitable happened and ball lost




Looking back


Respite, an easy, short par three




Nope, lost ball left off the tee. Penalty stroke, 3rd shot of the tee, left into rough, fourth shot into bunker.

Stroke of luck, Ground Under Repair, free drop


Made the most of it, bladed the shot across the green into a bunker other side


Nice views though

 

[Scarlett]

I look at those photos and wish I could remember playing there… and I know I did. The problem is they were holes 55-72 of the ‘longest day’ and yes it had been raining for most of the day: raining sideways!

So I feel your discomfort through the words and pics! Nice views though.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

15th green and back to looking like a beautiful day. Still freezing cold and a howling wind though.


16th is beautiful


Even appreciated the bunker


View of St Andrews from the green



17th, trouble over the wall on the right. Where I went, another lost ball





I love playing golf and if it wasn't for a pesky little thing called work, I'd play every day. But I have never been so happy to get to the last hole of a course. Hated golf, hated life, hated Scotland, hated myself.