We Got To Play Golf Today.....

Go time....

Today was a welcome change from the craziness that rolled through here yesterday. The winds were strong and steady this morning but the sun was shining and we were getting to play some golf. More specifically, we teed it up on the Jubilee Course. The Jubilee is a tough one on a calm day, With today's winds, we were going to have some fun for sure. We were paired with a gentleman, also named Paul, coming to us from Ohio. He and his wife were over for their 1st time to Scotland. After some brief introductions, we were off for our round.

Approach into Par 4 1st @ Jubilee Course

Par 5 3rd @ Jubilee Course

Par 4 4th @ Jubilee Course (Double Green w/Par 4 14th)

Beautiful setting along the Par 4 8th @ Jubilee Course

Par 4 8th @ Jubilee Course

The Par 4 8th hole here on the Jubilee is my favorite one out here. I love how the estuary runs along the left side and how the dunes frame up the hole. We played it downwind today which makes it fun. Pick the right line and you can really get it down there. This would be the last hole we were to get much of any help from the wind. The rest of the day, the back nine and the crosswinds gave us all we wanted. 

Par 4 8th @ Jubilee Course

Par 3 9th @ New Course

Par 4 10th @ Jubilee Course

Next stop, The Himalayas down below....

It's about to go down....

Paul got off to a strong 3 up lead through 9 holes...

He was looking solid early into the back 9....

And then.....holes like this happened

After a heated match that went back and forth, the match ended with me up 1 to close things out. Good fun on a really unique experience and place here in the heart of the Links, just off to the side of The Old Course. Good stuff.....

Had to get 9 more in.....

As we left the Himalayas Putting Course, we hopped in the car and headed south along the coast. We really didn't have any particular plans. We simply had time and no where else to be. We drove down through Kingsbarns and Crail, both courses we would be playing later this week. We passed a little 9 hole called Anstruther. Paul remembered Tom Coyne, author of "A Course Called Scotland" listing Anstruther as one of his hidden gems in the book. Hence, I turned around and we gave it a go. To sign in you have to go see Matt in the bar to pay your £20 and get your scorecard. His words of advise as we set out were to "hold on around 4,5 and 6. It's Fife's Amen Corner. The 1st tee and the blind, straight up the hill nature of the tee shot revealed the quirkiness we were to discover here. 

Par 3 2nd @ Anstruther

Par 3 2nd @Anstruther

The Par 3 2nd hole with the Memorial Tower (Fallen WWI & II Soldiers) and North Sea as a back drop was a really cool hole.

Memorial Tower @ Anstruther

Making our way around to Amen Corner, Paul and I played the Par 4 4th quite well, both almost driving the green. Paul birdied and I parred. Back into the wind, the Par 3 5th, may well be one of the coolest and certainly most difficult Par 3's in the UK. It was actually voted as such by the UK Golf publication, Today's Golfer, back in 2007. Played into a strong headwind today, we had to agree. 

Brutal.....

We both took driver off this tee and ended up two yards from each other. Mission accomplished, we avoided the gorse to the right and the North Sea to the left. The thing about this hole is, from the back tee you cannot even see the green!

Par 3 5th @ Anstruther

The view below is from our drives. We still had some 50 plus yards to the hole. Again, this is a Par 3!

Green of Par 3 5th @Anstruther

The Par 3 6th below, albeit much shorter, was no bargain either. There is a severe false front that will repel anything coming up even a foot short along with a bunker and a wall of gorse for anyone going long on this hole. Between the two of us, we did both.  I hit the ridge and came back down in front of the green and Paul found the gorse. Tough sledding but a really cool hole nonetheless. 

Par 3 6th @Anstruther

Our walk this afternoon along the North See and Anstruther Golf Club wasn't originally in the plans for the day. However, I am so glad we found it. What a great way to end the day. I would have to agree with Mr Coyne and his assessment as to Anstruther being a hidden gem. Couldn't agree more. We got back into town and headed to The Dunvegan for dinner and little of the Tour Championship coverage on Sky Sports before heading to the house and the rack. A long day but a good one. Tomorrow, we are off to The Crail Golfing Society and the Balcomie Links. Guess that's all for now. LYDCP!

Well Hello There Ali.....

Tropical Storm Ali....

So this happened....... Tropical Storm Ali rolled across Scotland today with a vengeance. As I said in yesterday's post, we were certainly expecting foul weather but this one took it to the extreme. Paul and I were slated to play The New Course, (1895), but the winds and rain this morning made it clear we were not to tee it up today. Once the rains died down, the winds rolled in as expected. We didn't understand just how bad they would be. Although it was partly sunny at times, the winds were crazy. Trains were getting derailed, cars were being flipped on their sides and bridges were closed all over Scotland. Travel was best done on foot today and we did get a chance to walk around town. I was able to show Paul some of the special places here in St Andrews. We went over to St Andrews Castle as well as the ruins of the St Andrews Cathedral. The cathedral ruins are a sight to see. They have markers on the ground to help you discern what went where with regards to the church layout. Within the ruin grounds, a large cemetery with grave stones dating back centuries, houses two of the world's most famous golfers. Old Tom Morris and his beloved son Tommy Morris are buried side by side. So much reverence for St Andrews' golfing sons.

St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Cathedral

St Andrews Cathedral

St Andrews Cathedral...Pit of Misery?

St Andrews Cathedral Cemetery

After all this sight seeing it was time for some food. We walked back towards the Old Course, more specifically the famed,  Jigger Inn, for some Skink Soup and Fish & Chips. So good...Along the way, we couldn't help but notice that the courses were eerily quiet. Sadly for many today, all the St Andrews Links courses were closed down due to the weather. We felt bad for those that traveled from afar to play the Old Course. It just wasn't meant to be today for them.

Par 4 17th @ The Old Course (Empty)

Thanks Ali.....

We made our way back to the house late this afternoon to chill out for the remainder of the day. I actually went to Hot House Yoga to stretch things out this evening while Paul took a walk about town and cooked up some chicken for us. Nice relaxing way to end a crazy weather day. Tomorrow we get back at it bright and early on The Jubilee Course. Guess that's all for now. LYDCP!

Hot House Yoga_Hot Yin

Carnasty.....You Didn't Disappoint!

Welcome to Carnoustie....

After sleeping in this morning, Paul was rested and ready to roll after his long travel day. I must admit, I was excited to be heading back to Carnoustie myself. The weather when we left St. Andrews was rainy and a good bit cooler. The rain followed us all the way up the coast to Carnoustie and we knew we were in for a challenge today. My hopes of playing a more docile Carnoustie than the one I met in 2010 were not meant to be. Carnasty in all its glory would once again prove a most difficult challenge. 

Claret Jug

Since my last visit, the club built an impressive new clubhouse and pro shop just to the left of the 1st tee. This was a welcome change from the dated old starter shack that was there during my 1st visit years ago. With the 147th Open Championship being held here back in July, I know all these changes were well received. I always enjoy seeing the memorabilia and any other cool stuff that speaks to the history of the club. After a quick bite to eat and a warm up session in their new state of the art simulators we were good to go. We met our caddies out on the 1st tee along with our playing partners, the Sharp couple, from North Berwick. Our caddies, Dave and Terry were delightful gents who'd both been members for decades. As such, they were full of useful course knowledge and a few good stories along the way.

Carnoustie's Beginnings

The man behind the legend..

Par 4 1st @ Carnoustie 

The golf was a tale of two nines. We had light rain and no wind through the front nine. As soon as we made the turn, the rain went away and the winds let loose. With all the run in the fairways and the swirling winds, gauging how far we could or should try to hit / and the ball was a constant challenge. As challenging as it was, I will admit that I loved it as we were forced to hit shots we never would face at home. The winds were sustained over 30 with gusts over 40 mph. Those kinds winds are no joke. Not only were they blowing us around, but there were several times where heavy wooden benches along several of the tees were being toppled over. All in all, today was a fun day out there. Carnoustie once again reminded us why it's known as the hardest course on The Open Championship rota. 

Paul's Approach into the Par 4 1st @ Carnoustie

Hogan's Alley

The Homestretch....The Par 4 18th @ Carnoustie

Following the short drive back to St. Andrews we cleaned up and headed back into town for some dinner at one of the best spots in town, Little Italy. The food has always been so good here and tonight was no different. After clocking another 9+ miles out on the course and about town, it's time for some rest. As for tomorrow, it's up in the air, literally. There is a tropical depression or storm coming across Scotland tomorrow and winds are projected to be 50+ for most of the day. We shall see what Mother Nature brings. Guess that's all for now. LYDCP!

Little Italy

The Brother In Law has arrived.....

Just got here and they are already giving us trophies!

And so it begins....Paul arrived safely this morning and I ran back down to the airport to get him. It's good to have him here and I know he's going to have a great week. It didn't take us long to get back to St Andrews and get our day started. After getting unpacked etc. at the house, we made our way up to The St Andrews Golf Club to show him around the club. Before lunch and our round at The Castle Course, I had a little surprise for Paul. As several of my R&A friends were in town this week for the Autumn Meeting and Medals, I was able to catch up with one in particular who was gracious enough to give Paul a tour of the clubhouse and some of the incredible history therein. What a treat to start the week off!

Once we finished at the R&A, we made our way to The Castle Course for some lunch. This was to be the 1st of our 7 scheduled rounds this week, weather permitting. We teed off around 2:00 pm this afternoon and with little delay, felt as though we had the course to ourselves. The caddies in the groups ahead of us did a nice job in keeping their groups moving along. Thankful for that. I had warned Paul about the greens and the challenges they would bring. They didn't disappoint. Nor did the weather as it was perfect all afternoon. The golf was pretty good too. Paul rebounded nicely after a slow start. I was able to play well for 16 holes. Only problem was, there were 18 and I ran out of gas on the last 2. Oh well, it was fun and I know Paul enjoyed his maiden links voyage.

Big stick off the Par 4 6th @ The Castle

Par 4 6th overlooking St. Andrews

Par 4 6th overlooking St Andrews

Par 3 8th @ The Castle Course.... (Birdie)

The Art of the Short Game...

We came back to the house to clean up and head to Adamson's for a steak dinner The food was excellent as was the service. Quick too, which was greatly appreciated after we had both logged over 11 miles on foot today. Tomorrow we tackle Carnoustie. Until then, it's time to rest. Guess that's all for now. LYDCP!

Can't imagine walking all that way.....

Lazy Sunday.....

All Saints Episcopal Church 

Today was a lazy Sunday here in St. Andrews. Thew weather was forecasted to be clear but rather windy. I got up early and made my way to the All Saints Episcopal Church here in town. Kristen and I found this place several years ago and haven't missed a service when we have been here. The church itself is built of beautiful stone inside and out. The gardens in the courtyard are home to some of the prettiest flowers you will ever see. Once inside, the Reverend Dr. Alasdair Coles never disappoints with his message. He also has an incredible memory as he remembers us / me every time we have been back.

All Saints Episcopal Church

Courtyard Roses

Courtyard Roses

After church the sun was brightly shining as I took a walk along both the St Andrews Castle as well as the remnants of the St Andrews Cathedral. The gates weren't open yet this morning but I definitely want to make a point to bring Paul by here later this week. I want him to see where Old Tom Morris and his son, Tom Morris Jr are laid to rest.

St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Cathedral Remnants

After my walkabout, I made my way over to the New / Jubilee Clubhouse for some brunch. It's hard to resist one of the breakfast staples here, fresh smoked salmon with eggs and bacon. So good.....

Tasty Treats

Practice Time

After coming back to the house to rest a while and let the winds die down, I made my way up to the St Andrews Links driving range for some practice. Paul's arrival tomorrow begins our seven straight days of golf. Time to tighten up. All in all, just what I needed today. Guess that's all for now. LYDCP!