Scottish Golf in the Winter.

So the winter has been and gone meaning the golf season over here is now in full swing again. I didn't blog all winter as this blog is supposed to be about golf tours and the people I meet along the way.For many reasons I didn't think it was appropriate to bore you with the details of my activities in the winter but I will give you a brief precis of what has been going on.
Most of the winter was spent working for a company called Courtney Travel, owned by a guy called Jim Gaw. The work was varied, December for example consisted of primarily driving people to and from Christmas parties, going there they were great but coming home most of them were drunken assholes ! Most of my work involved working on film or TV productions, as said in previous blogs the job is about transporting whatever is needed from A to B. Mostly sandwiches and coffee etc. Some days you get an important piece of paperwork or extras to ferry A to B.
A lot of tourists ask do we play golf during the winter months in Scotland ? Well the answer is in the picture on the right which was the view from my hotel room, the 1st fairway on "The Championship Course" at Carnoustie. This was taken at 9am on Friday 4th December and if you look closely you will notice local members halfway down the fairway. So that should answer the question. However I would like to point out that we have just experienced the worst winter in my twenty years in Scotland. Shortly after this picture was taken it snowed and felt like it continued to do so until March. But generally we can play here during the winter months.
Yesterday I picked up my first golf clients of this season, they arrived weary and tired after a seven hours delay due to a technical problem with their flight from Toronto. Talking of delays I notice that Iceland has kindly donated more volcanic dust for our consumption. Is it not bad enough that they have the audacity to ask us to invest money in their bank and then decide to keep it, now they block our flight paths with volcanic dust ! Next thing you know they'll be sending us Puffins with learning difficulties so they can claim benefits here just to try and mess up our economic system even more ! I can live with that as long as they don't send Bjork back here !!!
Back to the real world my delightful Canadian fourball enjoyed their first round of golf on The Ailsa Course at Turnberry today followed by dinner at Wildings, which is just a five minute drive down the road. Tomorrow we have an early tee time at Prestwick and then we travel over to Edinburgh for a couple of days sightseeing.
Those of you who know me well you can stop laughing now !! Those of you who don't know and are kind enough to read this rubbish I'll explain when I meet you.
Remember next Saturday 3pm Blackpool F.C. play Cardiff, the winners are promoted to the premier league, fingers crossed its been a long wait since 1971.

The Last Word Film Shoot.

It's that time of year when I start to look for alternative means of employment, primarily to keep me occupied and pay my bills. Some tour operators spend their winters living off their seasons earnings and next years deposits, me I just go to work. In winters gone by I have done an assortment of jobs to pass the time. One of them you can read about in a previous blog " The Grumpy Bus Driver in Bristol ".
When I caddied on The Old Course I put myself through university and eventually got a degree in modern history. The long term plan back then was to become a teacher a path that I abandoned when I realised that teenagers are close to the top of my list of dislikes. After completing university I went to Florida for a couple of winters only to discover that caddying here in Scotland and caddying at a Florida country club are two completely different jobs. Here caddying is a skill, it's about knowing your golf course, reading greens and weather conditions something you get better at with experience. In Florida it's about cleaning golf clubs and kissing ass, to be honest a chimpanzee could do the job and probably better than some of the caddies I met ! So needless to say I was quite happy to give that nonsense up. At some point in the future I will write about my time there if just to keep Maurice amused.
Until the last couple of winters I worked in the care industry helping people with learning difficulties, now that is an experience that I learnt of lot from. The last four winters were primarily working with young men who are autistic. I had the good fortune to work with people who would be placed at different levels on the autistic spectrum, from those who were severely challenging to many aspergers people who would be at the top end of the spectrum. A lot of people can be very patronising towards these guys without intending to do so, me I have great admiration for them as they manage to maximise their abilities everyday. How many of us can say we do that ? Again another blog for another day. Which brings to how we ended up working on the film shoot for "The Last Word".
During the summer I did the occasional little bit of work for a company called Courtney Travel, a transport company west of Glasgow owned by Jim Gaw and his Father-in-Law Harry. Jim has a full time staff but every so often he needs extra drivers. My first experience of working with Jim was driving the rock stars and entourage to and from a festival called "T in the Park". An eye opener to say the least.
The first day I had to transport the crew of Franz Ferdinand back from the concert to their hotel in Edinburgh. The second day I had the misfortune of collecting Glasvegas and transporting them to and from Glasgow. The band themselves were OK but the lead singer has an attitude that has to be experienced to be believed. By 1am the next morning I'd had enough of his constant moaning and bitching and my red mist descended, we were very quickly kept apart by his manager and fair play to the nuss he did have a remarkable change in attitude on the journey back. By the time we had returned to Glasgow the coach was the best thing since sliced bread and the singer thought it would be a good idea to take it and the driver on their next tour of Europe. Personally I'd rather stick a live wasp up my backside than contemplate another minute with them. The final day I had to collect Nathan the guitarist from Snow Patrol and his family from Edinburgh and take them to and from the festival, nice people. Isn't it strange how the coach is good enough for a class act like Snow Patrol, top of the bill and sold millions of Cd's, yet not good enough for some wannabees from Glasgow ! Funny world we live in !
Anyway I digress, I ended up driving the minibus on the film set of " The Last Word" due to Roy Andersons land of unfulfilled promises. Roy owns McLaren Travel a transport company specialising in golf tours, at the start of the season Roy promised many tours and a lot of work. I'm still waiting Roy ! So having a gap in my calender I was only too pleased to help Jim and myself, plus I got to experience something new. Now I am not the greatest film watcher and an even rarer visitor to the cinema, suffice to say I had no idea about the goings on that go into making a film. It is indeed a very unusual world.
Firstly the job of the minibus driver on a film set is very simple, you transport whoever and whatever from A to B as and when directed. In terms of status you are definitely at the bottom end of the food chain, but there are a lot of people like myself down there. The film set itself will consist of two bases; The Unit Base which will house an assortment of mobile homes and offices, consisting of mobile homes for the star actors/actresses, offices for the production staff, make up department, costume department, a catering van and dining room and toilets etc. The other base is the location where the production company are making the film. The minibus driver normally transport whatever is required from one to the other and back again. This could be anything from camera crew and equipment, members of staff, costumes and the tea and coffee, plus whatever else someone has forgotten to take with them.
The most amazing thing for me was this whole village can be taken down and re-assembled overnight wherever the filming may be taking place the next day. Considering that people would start work on this set at 5am (or some earlier) and not finish till after 7pm, the facilities crew do a remarkable job. They completely re-house this small village overnight and manage to supply it with electricity and water. Now I know that the minibus driver does not have the worst job on set.
The actors have their own chauffeur driven transport, the only actors the minibus gets to collect are the extras. Although on this film I did often transport young Richard Mack to and from home, a promising young actor who thankfully suffers from a lack of ego, hopefully he will stay that way. One of the drivers was a guy called Jass Brown who has driven over the years for all the lead actors on films made in this area, you could write a book on the snippets of gossip he let you into. Jass was looking after Ewan McGregor who is the lead actor in the film. The leading lady is Eva Green, apparently the "Bond Girl" in Casino Royale. It's amazing how different people look in real life compared with what you see on the screen. I don't mean that in any detremental way, many people you believe to be bigger or heavier, Eva for example although very pretty could definitely do with a good dinner.
As for the film itself I have very little to no idea what it is about, as there is no book on sale yet. From what little I saw and heard it appears that some virus is killing all and the stars need to find a cure asap. But to find out how true that is I guess we will have to wait until the film comes out.
The thing that struck me the most is how long the days are, the actors are on the set for twelve hours and we are there before they arrive and after they leave. As I have said before if you ever watch an interview on TV and the actor/actress say there work is very boring well believe me it is. What you eventually see on the screen bears no resemblance to what takes place when the film is being made. Suffice to say it was an interesting week or two and I got to learn about something new.
At the moment I am working on another film set which is travelling all around Scotland filming in the most remote places. The film is called "The Eagle of the 9th", all about a Roman Legion that was sent to Scotland and disappeared. If they experienced the weather I have over the last two weeks it's not a mystery that they disappeared believe me. This week we are off to Loch Maree, Applecross and Glencoe, one of the three I have heard of. I'll let you know how it goes at a later date and the story behind the leading mans burning testicles !

The Eden Club Founders Cup.

After our little golf tour it was time to go back to work, this time with a company called The Eden Club. For those of you that wish to know a little more about this organisation you can look them up at http://www.theedenclub.com/. You will find the information you need on that website.
The work is very different from the normal service I provide and it really is nothing more than a chauffeur service for some wealthy people. The interaction we normally have on our golf tours doesn't occur on these events, it's just a case of transporting people from A to B, with a smile of course.
I've done this job for the last five years or so, thanks to my working relationship with Max Espie and his partner Mick Moore. They are both responsible for the logistics at The Eden Club in St Andrews. The work is bearable because of their camaraderie and craic ! In the early days we enjoyed the work the pay was good and we only worked a twelve hour day because all the members stayed at The Old Course Hotel. Therefore all the evenings dinners and entertainment was in the hotel, so once we had got them all back from the golf courses we were free for the rest of the evening.
The dynamics of this job changed a couple of years ago when the club purchased and renovated Pitormmie House, which is a ten minute drive from St Andrews. Now the members who stay at The Old Course Hotel have to be transported to Pitormmie House for their evenings entertainment, thereby turning what used to be a twelve hour day into an eighteen hour day and all for the same money ! As is fitting with the image of The Eden Club Pitormmie House has been renamed Pitormmie Castle, which only goes to confuse the local cab drivers.
The Founders Cup is a tournament for members and their guests, they play a Stableford Competition on three courses, The Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, so the job involves transporting the guests from their accommodation to the courses and back, then when they have showered and changed up to Pitormmie Castle for their evenings entertainment.
So far this summer The Eden Club has supplied me with over thirty days work so I'm hardly likely to say anything untoward in this article, but there is many a time when I am working for them I can't help thinking that things could be so much better, if the powers that be just stopped and thought for a moment.
Poor Mick and Max have been run ragged all summer along with their part time assistant Frank, I don't know what these guys get paid but I don't think it's enough for what they have to put up with. Meanwhile the members receive a first class service unaware of the difficulties that go in to providing that service. Suffice to say that once my four days service was complete I had the pleasure of catching up with some sleep, meanwhile 'Pick & Mix', as they are commonly referred to continue with their long days. Good luck guys !!

Royal Troon Golf Club ( Portland Course )

The final round of our three day golf outing was a game at The Portland Course, at Royal Troon. Stewart Watt is a member here so much to Decky's delight we got a cheap round ! Turned out to be a lot cheaper than we thought as Stewart wouldn't take any money off us.

Royal Troon normally offers a round on the Portland Course as part of its all day package, which includes a round on the Old and lunch. A lot of visitors tend to overlook the round on The Portland as they don't want to play thirty six holes, I have been guilty of this in the past myself. Having now played the course a few times I can honestly say don't overlook it, if it is on your schedule play it, you will enjoy the visit.

In many ways Royal Troon is like St Andrews, people generally only visit the place because they want to play the Old Course and the package that most of you sign up to will include either the New Course or The Jubilee ( or most recently The Castle Course, more about that thing at a later date), in this case The Portland Course. Once the wish of playing these famous courses is completed most golfers view the add on courses with some disdain, I say underestimate these lovely golf courses at your peril because it will be your loss if you choose not to take up the chance to play them.

The Old Course at Royal Troon will always be in my top five golf courses in Scotland. I really like the gentle start where the first few holes can lead you to believe that the course is not that difficult. However I think the back nine, particularly into the prevailing wind is as difficult a finish as any course I've played. I include Carnoustie in this because regardless of the wind conditions there I have always scored better at Carnoustie than Royal Troon.

The Portland Course on the other hand is very different from The Old Course at Troon. There are some great holes and they are not necessarily too long. Having said that I have been fortunate that every time I've played there the wind has decided to take the day off, but I can imagine that some holes will play long on a windy day, but I'm in no rush to discover that ! Many of the par fours and fives are not necessarily a driver off the tee, particularly you long hitters, I can take driver off them all. The par three's I like my shortest club was a six iron at the tenth.

Anyway lets get down to the nuts and bolts of the day. Stewart and Chip played Decky and myself although we won the first hole by default the way Stewart started we thought we were going to get a spanking. Stewart hits the ball so far for a man of his size and age it's ridiculous. So when he hits it straight as he did this morning he is impossible to beat. Luckily for us he returned to normal on the back nine and was soon fishing for his ball in the rough like he was yesterday. Decky and I scrapped home on the seventeenth with a nice birdie.

After the game Stewart invited us back to The South Beach Hotel, (which is owned by his family) for some lunch, which consisted of homemade soup and some salmon for main course. He was indeed the perfect host for the day and for that we would all like to thank him. On top off that we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery for his Mum. A lovely man with a heart of gold but I wouldn't swap his troubles for mine so I wish him all the best, and thanks again for a great day.

"A Grumpy Bus Driver in Bristol"

For the people who are kind enough to read my nonsense this is just a quick message to say I am so far behind with my blogging I make Obahmas health bill seem express. I have the final part of our golf tour to complete and my work for the Eden Club Founders Tournament to complete. At this moment in time I am working on film shoots that are taking place throughout Scotland. For those of you that think the film business is glamorous believe me it is not !
Yes I get to meet famous people but believe me these guys earn their dosh, a minimum of 12 hour days, no breaks and crap surroundings. On the plus side you get well fed and watered. Next time you watch an actor on TV saying his/her job is really very boring, take it from me it is.
Anyway the purpose of this little note is to show the variety of work I do in the winter to make the world go round, as in pay one's bills. The film work has come courtesy of Jim Gaw who owns`a company called Courtney Travel, next summer we will be using his transport to carry you around.
Last winter I took an agency driving job in Bristol driving a bus, it was horrendous, the drivers in the south of England are the most stupid people I have ever had the misfortune to meet. After a bad day at work I wrote the following letter to the local paper, needless to say they did not print it and to be fair I don't blame them, but it was my rant and I felt better for getting it off my chest. So here we go;
"Why is your Bus Driver so Grumpy Bristol ? "
"Everyday you wait on your bus whether your going to work, from work, to town or visiting friends, relatives etc. Whatever the reason the bus when it arrives, usually late, you are greeted with the face of a grumpy bus driver. Not always but more often than not ! Have you ever considered what could make this public servant such a miserable person ? Well I will tell you.
I work for an agency that supplies bus drivers nationwide. We are sent all over the U.K. wherever there is a shortage of local drivers. For the last year I have driven for First Bus in Bristol and it now appears that they have recruited enough local drivers to meet their demand, so our contract is coming to an end. We as agency drivers have been in Bristol for the last three years, many have come and gone. A lot of them haven’t stayed the course and I can’t blame them for going home.
We are lured away from home with promises of good wages and a place to stay at a reasonable cost. The truth of the matter is you don’t always get paid what you are promised, you stay in miserable houses with complete strangers who you have never met before. Should you manage to find a decent place of your own the agency still deducts rent money from your pay for a house you don’t ever stay in ! There are drivers who live in Bristol, work for the agency yet still pay rent for houses they have never lived in, apparently that is legal !!! The agency keep back a portion of your salary should you be deemed guilty of any alleged misdemeanour. This could be anything from being too ill to go to work, an inability to complete a shift, involved in an accident, or whatever the agency deems fit to be described as a misdemeanour.
However I digress from the real reason for the glum face you often encounter driving your bus. Whether you are an agency driver away from home, or a local First Bus driver, or a driver for any of the other bus companies, the reason for our misery is the lunatics that drive their cars around Bristol ! Never in my life have I come across such incompetence, arrogance, stupidity and downright dangerous. The people I have met on my travels on the bus, 95% are good company and very polite. So what happens when you get in your cars ?
Let me explain in the simplest of terms so there can be no misunderstandings here. Buses often weigh over ten tonnes, they are approximately 33 to 35 feet long. We can be carrying up to 76 people when full, that is a lot of lives to be responsible for and to try to get to their destination safely. We drive within the speed limit because we can’t really go any faster. But here is the crux of the matter, we have to leave enough space in front of us to be able to stop safely that is why there is nearly always a reasonable gap between us and the car in front, so we don’t crush the car in front when we try to stop !
So tell me drivers of Bristol why is it so important that you have squeeze in to that space and risk getting killed. Why during a nine hour shift do I have to spend eight and a half hours doing my up most not to crush the car in front. Where are you going that is so important that it is worth dying for, or serious injury ? Is there some mysterious terminal illness you catch if you don’t get in front of the bus ? You perform the crazy manoeuvre whenever you see the bus. When the bus is at a bus stop is it so imperative that you have to risk life and limb to get passed it before it pulls out ? You dive into the oncoming traffic regardless of risk to all rather than be stuck behind the bus. You pull out of junctions when you see the bus coming down the road. You will do whatever you have to rather than be behind the bus.
Well let me tell you Bristol’s drivers I have driven all over the U.K. and you are categorically the worst drivers I have met. I don’t say this to annoy you, because apparently I can do that well enough just by driving the bus on your roads. I say this for your safety. Sooner or later someone is going to get seriously hurt, maimed or even die because of your unreasonable behaviour. Yet of course you will blame the bus driver, you know the one you tried to force your way passed. The one you refused to let out because your important life is so busy you don’t have the time to get behind the bus.
Before you get all upset and start ranting and raving about bus drivers who force their way out, block up roads, and generally are a nuisance to you the car driver, let me explain why we have to take this action.
It appears that the normal rules of the road don’t apply to the drivers of Bristol. For example, when did a bus stop become a convenient free parking space ? That is why the bus has stopped in the middle of the road because you have left your car at the bus stop while you complete your very important business. Meanwhile the road has blocked up and there is a queue of angry drivers behind the bus. Still it’s not important after all you were only there five minutes.
Since when did double yellow lines mean park when and where you want ? Think about it next time you abandon your car on Gloucester Road come back and find a traffic jam because the bus can’t get passed. But don’t concern yourself too much because the people in the traffic jam will blame the bus driver, and after all you were only five minutes! Over the last month I have actually seen traffic wardens for the first time since I have been here so there is some hope on the horizon.
When you approach a roundabout I was always led to believe that the left hand lane was for turning left, guess what I was wrong ! Apparently in Bristol the car in the right hand lane doesn’t have to go right or even straight on, no you put your foot down and dive to the left in front of the bus. That one took a bit of learning but I’m ready for it now.
So who is the worst culprit ? Well there is no real statistical evidence only what I see day in day out. I now realise that BMW drivers have the right to do whatever they want, whenever they want with no blame attached to their actions, regardless of consequences. I smile when I see their behaviour often because Freud springs to mind, big car etc. Still with modern surgery as it is the penile problems can be fixed !
White van man, well actually nearly all vans regardless of colour. You all know the one I mean, shaven head because he is not really bald, beer belly but he still looks good with his shirt outside his trousers. Normally has a tattoo, a lot of them have it round their neck but they have never read what it says because every time they look in the mirror the tattoo is back to front. You see them driving along and nothing will get in their way. You will see them coming, angry grimace, eyes popping out like racing dogs testicles, and you sometimes see the veins sticking out on the neck, depending on the tattoo of course. Sorry but sometimes I have to use your road.
But here is the one that drives me to despair. I’m driving along and leave enough space to stop safely and it happens again a car dives into the space and slams its brakes causing the bus driver to slam his/her brakes on, another accident avoided thankfully. Then you look up and see the sign in the back of the car,’ baby on board ‘ or ‘little princess on board’. Then I get really angry because how stupid and irresponsible are you ? You a parent and do you really believe that a sign is going to save your children’s life, when the idiot parent drives like a lunatic ? Well do you stupid ?
Believe it or not I’ve enjoyed my time in Bristol but it has now come to an end. I’ve meet some great people on my bus but then I’ve never seen them drive. Yes I do smile on my way round, well most of the time and the passengers seem to appreciate it. Perhaps you drivers should try smiling once in a while instead of spending your day getting angry with each other and trying to force yourselves into a space you don’t really fit. Once a day someone will let me out into the road and I will be grateful as it will help me keep on time safely. Every time someone does this it gives me hope, then along comes the next car and we are all back where we started. It’s only a couple of seconds people but it would make a world of difference and who knows your bus driver may even smile, well not all of them.
Try it please before you kill someone."

Not that I would say " I told you so " !
Daily Mirror Monday 23rd November 2009.
"Bristol is Britain's car crash capitol - with more than a third of residents having had at least one prang in the last year, a poll found.
Swansea came second in the survey, ahead of Belfast, Coventry and Brighton."

Told You So !!!!!

Western Gailes Golf Club

Western Gailes is a golf course situated on the Ayrshire coast ten minutes north of Troon, and was the next port of call for Chip, Decky and myself. Making up the fourball was Stewart Watt owner of the South Beach Hotel in Troon.

Western Gailes is a very special place and unbeknown to them it will always be one of the finest courses in Scotland thanks to a history that I have with the course. Many years ago a good friend of mine Jack McClusskie, was the manager at Western Gailes, the greatest regret of his life was the day he had to leave.

I've known Jack for the best part of twenty years and have spent many a happy hour in his company on a golf course. Jack is not in the best of health these days it seems that Father Time can catch up with the best of us. He is a stickler for the rules of golf and unimpressed by anyone who does not abide by the correct etiquette. Between him and a gentleman called Maurice Berg I was well grounded in the do's and don'ts on a golf course, for that alone I am eternally grateful. However the purpose of all this detail is that Jack spent many an hour regaling me with tails from his time at Western Gailes. So much so that I felt I knew the course long before I had the good fortune to play it. Jack still fondly remembers when the bar would close at 5pm so the members could catch the last train back to Glasgow, and his uniform was a morning suit which included a jacket with tails. But most importantly he remembers how kind the members were and the great relationship he had with the captain. A time of no written contracts just a handshake followed by a good glass of port.

The club still has that same warmth about it, both Barry(The Secretary)and Vicky(who does the rest), have continued the tradition that Jack told me about. Most visitors to this area are pre-occupied with Royal Troon Prestick or Turnberry, miss this course and you have missed the essence of what golf in Scotland is all about. Western Gailes is a great course with facilities and manners that remind you of all that was good in days gone by.

Both Barry and Vicky are clever enough to realise that they have to compete with the likes of Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry within a limited budget. To do this the club is very kind in extending invitations to tour operators like myself, and I would like to thank them for their generosity for inviting my friends and myself. Let me just say whilst I reluctantly paid money to play Loch Lomond, Western Gailes I would pay to play. As all golfers know some courses you just feel good to be on and this is one of mine.

When you get there it is like a step back in time, to the days when life was good and all the summers were warm and sunny. You will be met at the door by George, and have the privilege of meeting Henry on the first tee. There is no professional shop at Western Gailes everything you need is stored behind the bar, from balls to shirts plus good beer. The dress code is relaxed in the bar but should you wish to use the second bar jacket, shirt and tie will be required, but there is no real need to go in there. The changing rooms alone are worth the visit !

Don't be fooled when you look at the scorecard, the course may not be long but that does not make it easy. If you are visiting for the first time order a caddy, the line off the tee is not always obvious and some second shots are blind. We were fortunate enough to play it on a calm day, believe me when the wind blows this course will make mincemeat of your handicap. The greens are among some of the finest to putt on, what you see is what you get.

We had a great day Chip partnered Decky and I partnered Stewart. The game was up and down all day, Stewart had a nightmare visiting parts of the golf course none of us wanted to see, however he did bring home the bacon by birdieing the eighteenth. It made up for yesterdays losses !

Loch Lomond Golf Club by invitation only !

The big day came and went and contrary to my prejudgements and biased opinions it was without doubt one of the best days I have ever had on a golf course. Prior to going I was of the opinion that elitist golf does not belong in egalitarian Scotland. I could not have been further from the truth !

Yes Loch Lomond is by invitation only and yes it does have some extremely wealthy members, but once your in you could not be made to feel more welcome.

From the security at the gate to the valet service at the clubhouse we could not have been made to feel more at home, oh and as for the guy Willie in the gents changing room, thank you. Anyone that has the good fortune to go there anything you require from elastoplast to the greatest shoeshine ever, Willie is your man. Nothing is too much trouble for this kind man.

Firstly I would like to thank Ron Smart who owns a golf tour company called "Travelling The Fairways" for inviting me and secondly for allowing me to bring a couple of friends along. Chip who I was in the fire service with and Decky who I have become friends with since I have lived in St Andrews. You couldn't wish for two finer people to make up a fourball, except for Mr Moore of course.

We arrived early so we could enjoy a lunch and have a good look around the place because after all this was more than likely to be a one off occasion. To describe the clubhouse as opulent would be an understatement but I can't think of a better description.

First you have to get through the security at the gate, if your name is not on his list you don't get past the gate. Secondly we had to make my Nissan Micra disappear before we got to the clubhouse as there was no way I could let them valet park my little car, so we made a quick stop off in the car park whilst I loaded my golf gear into Deckys Lexus, which I felt would make a more appropriate impression ! Much to my dismay we were caught red handed because when we reached the clubhouse the first question we were asked was where was the missing car ? So my attempt to try not to look like Del Boy arriving at Loch Lomond failed.

The meet and greet guys at the clubhouse emptied the car and took the golf clubs off to the first tee, despite Chips attempts to carry his own clubs, it was explained in no uncertain terms that at Loch Lomond he could carry his own clubs once he reached the first tee ! Lunch was excellent then it was off to the practise range before the main event.

The course itself was everything I expected it to be, well manicured and beautifully taken care of. Much to my surprise there was a lot more space than I imagined there would be, meaning the fairways are a lot wider than they look on tv. The rough just off the fairway is not that penal, but there are definitely some areas where you will never see the ball again. As a bonus the weather was perfect, which had been a worry as the previous week we had rainstorms and gale force winds, yet here we were on a perfect day for golf.

As a bonus I took a caddy because if you are going to spend that much money to play a course you should never cut corners, and a course like this deserved to be savoured and enjoyed. Normally I wouldn't take a caddy because I have been a caddy for so many years I am uncomfortable with the situation, but as I advise tourists why come so far and pay so much then spoil your day by not knowing what your doing. Luckily Peter was the son of a caddy that I have worked with on many occasions at Kingsbarns so we had a great time with plenty to discuss.

It was without doubt one of the best days I have ever experienced on a golf course. A perk of the job that I do is that I am often invited to play some of the worlds greatest golf courses for free, Loch Lomond I had to pay for. Paying to play goes against the grain but I have to say the experience of the day was well worth the money. Plus Loch Lomond Golf Club bases its principles on Augusta, so to be invited to play there was a privilege. No amount of money is going to get you in there without an invite and that is what made the day so special for the three of us. The experience lived up to everything I hoped it would be and more.