Much like St Andrews, the golf course is very much part of the town, with the course just appearing as you drive around the corner. Some of the girls are pictured above, near the practice green, prior to the round. (Janet sporting a new vintage car drivers hat!)
Some of the lads ready for battle, with birthday boy Rob Acquroff, second from the left.
After a briefing from the starter, we were ready for battle.
Golf has been played on this links land for centuries, dating back to the early seventeenth century, but the commencement of organized golf was in 1832, with the formation of the North Berwick Golf Club.
The view across the first green, looking toward North Berwick, and Bass Rock out in the water.
The wind was now quite strong, and was at our backs on the way out. Completely the opposite from when I played here 5 years ago. On that occasion, the wind pushed my tee shot from the second hole out onto the beach . The beach is a hazard, so if you hit it down there, you play it back up.
I didn't need any help from the wind this time to hit it on the beach. This was all me. Thanks to Gary Jones for capturing the moment for posterity. Twice played, haven't been close to the fairway!
There are a lot of original stone wall fences running through and around the course. This one runs right across the course, and is in play on the 3rd and 16th holes.
Jenny Lucas powered her drive right through this gap in the wall on the 3rd. Very accurate indeed.
John MacKenzie is pictured here playing his approach into the 9th hole. The 9th marks a change in direction. 8 holes play away from the town, the 9th plays across to the beach, and then holes 10 to 18 come back to town (and straight into the wind).
Most people play better down wind, especially when it is a strong as it was today. Not Peter Lucas, this is when he comes to the fore, responding with a magnificent 21 points into the gale on the second nine.
*** Disclaimer*** This information was posted under the specific direction of the very modest Collingwood supporter, Peter Lucas.
The view from the par three 10th tee. Last time a wedge, this time a 5 iron.
The 13th hole is one of my favourite golf holes anywhere. A 360 yard par four, requiring a strong drive, and an accurate approach shot. The reason for precision, the green is located directly to the left of the stone wall. Even an approach that is reasonable, can finish on the wrong side of the wall.
Oh look at that, an approach that finished on the wrong side of the wall. I wonder who's that could be?
Of course it was mine. Plan of attack...... 1. 60 degree Taylor Made wedge. 2. Open face of said new wedge. 3. Close eyes and hope you don't cause a ricochet. 4. Scratch new wedge when it rams into the stone wall.
As you can see, the ball popped up nicely, and over the wall. Ah thankyou.
The view looking back down the 13th hole.
It wasn't just me getting a little adventurous. Gary Jones was not a fan of the headwind, and found himself in some awkward positions as well. This nearly resulted in a 15 metre tumble onto the rocky beach below.
The bench was a welcome sight on the 15th tee. John MacKenzie and his caddy James wait for the yanks ahead to meander their way around.
Interesting that trollies are required to be on the paths, but marshalls can park golf carts on the tee!!
The famous Redan par three 15th hole. A great source of inspiration for course architecture, copied many times around the world.
Remember how Jenny Lucas negotiated the wall on the 3rd? Well this is the other side, on the 16th. It is now known as Gary's Greystones thanks to his efforts from the tee here.
The wall runs across the front of the tee, and Gary's beautifully struck, albeit a little low drive, careered into the wall, accelerating as it returned over his head. A nett gain of minus 180 yards.
Once you negotiate Gary's Greystones, then you are faced with this for a green. This picture shows the front section of the green, with John MacKenzie's approach shot 4 feet from the pin. The deep swale leads onto another platform, all of which is still the green. What a nightmare!! Something that would never be created today, but something we love about golf at these old courses.
Another shot of the green, from the side this time.
The wind really wasn't that strong!!! A flagpole on the 17th green, struggling to stay upright, as were we at this stage.
The view from the 17th green, looking back across the course and the beach.
Even though the conditions were challenging, everyone walked off the course smiling broadly. A great sign of a classic, quirky, links course. Appetite well and truly whet for the Open at St. Andrews tomorrow.
Mike McCann dominated today, recording a very impressive 40 points (nearly as impressive as Peter Lucas' 21 points coming in **go away Pete this is my computer**), and it was Christine Acquroff who won not only the women's prize with a great 35 points, but also walked away with a love of North Berwick.
After the round thought went back to the other sporting activities of the day, and we saw a great start had been made at Lords, and Jason Day fired a great 66.
Back then to the Renaissance Club, and a few drinks with the birthday boy Rob Acquroff. Happy birthday from all of us Rob!!
No comments:
Post a Comment