St Andrews 19 – 23 April 2010
At 0430hrs on Monday 19 April four CEGC members, John Phillips, Jamie Alexander, Kevan Hawkins and Bruce Lornie left Banbury for the 400 mile drive north to St Andrews for three days of competitive golf that would take in four golf courses in the “Auld Grey Toon” itself and across the River Tay in Monifieth.
After arrival and checking in at the Aslar Guest House, highly recommended and a fabulous breakfast cooked by Mary Doll, we set off for the Himalayas. For the uninitiated the Himalayas is the putting green owned and used by the St Andrews ladies putting club. Those of a certain age can play 18 holes for £1 or £2 if slightly younger. A great test as the course is well named.
Tuesday dawned dry bright and blowing a gale. We were later to learn that the wind was gusting on the course at 45 knots. We were off to the Jubilee course, renowned as the most difficult of all the St Andrews courses. Five hours later we returned, windswept and chastened by a very tough track. John won the day with a very creditable 20 stableford points. Some might think that is a low score but believe me in the conditions it was good.
Wednesday and we were off to Monifieth just outside Carnoustie. Here we played the short Ashludie course in the morning and after an excellent lunch played the Medal course. The Medal course was used for Qualifying for the 2007 Open and is an excellent test. The morning event was won by Jamie on countback from Bruce with 34 points and the afternoon by Kevin with 30 points.
The whole day was an absolute bargain at £69 which included coffee and bacon roll on arrival, soup and sandwiches for lunch and high tea at the conclusion of the golf. For those of you unfamiliar with the term high tea, in Scotland it really means evening meal and in this case was a huge plate of fish and chips with salad, followed by a selection of sweets.
Thursday and the final day for golf was to be at the stunning St Andrews New Course. Opened in April 1895 was termed “New” to differentiate it from the already existing course we now know as “Old”. The weather as in each of the other days was fine and sunny. The important point to note was that the wind had died considerably – still sufficiently blowy to affect the flight of the golf ball but in comparison to Tuesday a mere zephyr.
Such were the strict rules laid down by the organiser in that no one person may win more than one daily prize, the winner at the New course was Bruce with 29 points.
Friday morning saw us all packed for home, only breakfast and the prize giving remained. Stan the guest house proprietor read the words and Dundee Liz our charming waitress presented the prizes. Each player was presented with a small memento of their day’s victory and the champion golfer of the week, Kevin, was presented with his trophy.
Once all the ceremony was over we hit the road and headed south. Four very tired but very satisfied golfers.