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.

Inverness, St Andrews and eventually Troon.

It's been over a week since the last blog which means one of two things, I've either been very busy or I've nothing to talk about and those that know me will tell you the later will never happen ! Last Wednesday I wrote about the end of George Fishers trip which the guys have since been in touch to kindly tell me what a great trip they had. Since then life has been a little busy.
First up was an overnight trip to Inverness with the Motherwell Ladies Bowling Team, who had qualified to play in the all Scotland finals. Now I don't about yourselves but I know very little about bowling and before Thursday I had the usual bigoted impression of the game. Which was a game played by mature people wearing silly white clothing. So Thursday tea time I collect thirty ladies from Motherwell Bowling Club and off went to Inverness for the night.
Firstly the majority of the party may well have been on the mature side but old in attitude they were not, in fact some were down right feisty, enough to make a driver nervous !! Secondly I have to say I have never been so well fed on a journey in my life. Everyone of these ladies turned up with sandwiches, crisps, biscuits and god knows what else to eat on route. They even fed the lorry drivers at the services where we stopped. We left at around 5.30pm and we made the hotel in Inverness at 9pm, the weather was appalling which is not good for bowling. After a good dinner I made for the safety of my room and despite various promises and threats I was left in peace.
Friday was supposed to be simple, leave the hotel at 8.45am and it was only 10 minutes to the Inverness Bowling Club. Two problems, firstly it turns out that some of the ladies had a party in their room and two of them were still in bed at 9am, and sleeping well I may add. Secondly the address they supplied the driver with for the bowling club could not have been more wrong. So instead of arriving at the bowling club at 9am and having a nice breakfast before their game at 9.30am, they arrived at 9.40am dashed out of the bus and promptly lost their match ! After a sombre lunch the ladies took part in the third and forth play off which they won. We then had the long ride home getting back at around 10.15pm.
Saturday and Sunday I spent working for a company called The Eden Club, who keep a house they call Pitorrmie Castle just outside of St Andrews. I've done little bits of work for them on and off over the last five years. It's an organisation that has members all around the world and it's just a case of chauffeuring their people to and from the house to the golf course. Nowhere near as much fun as driving the normal golf tour that I normally do. Having said that the next three days were no fun at all !
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I spent working for McLaren Travel ferrying eight members from the Wisley Golf Club, from the airport to the hotel and then transfer them to and from the golf courses that they had arranged to play. Finally taking them back to Edinburgh Airport on Wednesday tea time. Frankly I couldn't get rid of them quick enough thanks to one prick who drove me nuts for the three days. These people got their transport at a third of the normal cost for the simple reason that I just provided a taxi service from a to b, not the normal full service that I provide to most clients. As for the asshole who sat at the back of the bus he wins my vote for being the most miserable person I have had the misfortune to meet this summer ! He whined, he moaned, he was miserable, he wanted a service that he didn't pay for and after the great Canadian people I have met this summer I have to say he does that nation a great disservice ! As they left to catch their plane they said we'll see you next year, personally I'd rather stick a live wasp up my anus than see these people again !!!!
Tonight I'm off to drive the crew of a film shoot in Glasgow and then tomorrow I am playing Loch Lomond with some good friends, now that will be a great day.

Fairmont Hotel Kittocks Course then Edinburgh

After the late night on Saturday the guys decided to have an easy day Sunday. I picked them up at 11am including their luggage as today they checked out of The Greyfriars Hotel. Tonight they are moving on to The Apex International in Edinburgh, for their last night in Scotland.

Today they played golf on The Kittocks Course which is part of The Fairmont Hotel Resort just outside St Andrews. The Fairmont has two courses the other being The Torrance Course which last week hosted the Scottish Seniors Open, no idea who won, as I wasn't paying attention to it.

Anyway I digress the reason the guys (actually George decided) chose this course was because after a week of walking they could ride carts on The Kittocks. They also liked the setting overlooking the harbour and a very scenic clubhouse to have dinner later. Once they finished playing and eating we headed off to Edinburgh to The Apex Hotel. Once they had checked in we said our goodbyes as tomorrow the guys would be taking taxis to the airport as they all leave at different times and on different flights. George presented me with a card that all of the guys had signed and made comments about the week we have been together. I would also like to thank each and everyone of them for their extraordinary generosity, thank you.

Do you know at the start of this summer I didn't know how this new venture was going work out but I have to say I have had a great season and met some wonderful people all of whom I can look forward to seeing again. George and his group have been a pleasure to work with, although George himself is something a a mystery and as he would say "not a man for details", the week worked out great despite the guesswork on my part.

Old Course St Andrews then Runrig at Scone Palace

What a long day it started at 5am and finished at 2.30am the next morning, welcome to the simple world of George Fisher ! First up was a 7am tee time on The Old Course closely followed by the second fourball at 7.40am. Once again the sun shone on the chosen ones, I still don't know how they have got away with staying dry.

To make up the two fourballs we were joined by Georges best friend, Shaun McIssac, who happened to be passing through town, (I'll explain that fluke later) and myself. That's three times this season I have had to play and that is three times more than usual. A amusing moment before we teed off was the second that George was introduced to his caddy. George once again was extolling the virtues of Kenny (the walk on water caddy) when today's caddy appeared. The caddys name was Heather, yes your right a female George took one look at Heather and uttered the immortal words "Kenny who" ? Fortunately for Heather her partner Ronnie was caddying in the game for Shaun, which kept George on best behaviour.

The game went well and the sun stayed out, but the wind got up to about 20mph, which made the course a little more difficult than usual. Everyone had their share of good and bad, birdies here and bogeys there etc. Even Gary managed to temporarily solve his hooking problem, although this was not a permanent fix. When the guys finished it was off to The Dunvegan for lunch. What everyone did after lunch I do not know as I disappeared to take care of some issues before our evening commenced.

It turns out that George is good friends with Bruce Guthrie who happens to be the lead singer with the Scottish band Runrig. Last night Runrig were headlining a festival at Scone Palace, known as the homecoming concert. The homecoming event is a government sponsored scheme to promote the 250th anniversary of the birth of Rabbie Burns the Scottish poet. Bruce had given George tickets for all of us to attend the concert and the party after. I picked the guys up at 6.30pm, despite the fact the event had started in mid afternoon. Bruce had text ed George to say Runrig would not be on stage till 8.30pm. I must admit I did have a chuckle to myself when I picked the guys up because I don't think I have ever seen a more unlikely bunch of rock concert punters ! George had the obligatory denims and Geoff still showing off his new waterproofs, the rest a group of maturing gentlemen in assorted golf clothing, plus Heather (Shauns wife not the caddy) and walk over water Kenny.

It just goes to show what a class bunch of people these guys are because apart from George, Kenny, myself and maybe Shaun I don't think any of them had ever heard of Runrig, and looking at the way they dressed they certainly had no idea they were spending the evening in a cold field next to Scone Palace. Regardless of the miss match we set off the guys drinking beer and myself still chuckling. I have to point out that I may have underestimated one of the group, as it turned out we discovered that Mike is a veteran of over 350 rock concerts.

As the evening unfolded it turned out that my fears about the guys being in the wrong place were unfounded. An runrig concert is indeed a very unusual event in terms of the people that attend it. If we take away the political overtones at the start of the evening which included the unveiling of the Scottish Soltire Flag on Scone Palace for the first time in history and a typical chest beating speech from the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, it was a very good night. Yes it was cold and we were well ripped off on the price of the drinks, including my coffee but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

When the show finished we had been told to make our way to the first aid post to the left of the stage and there we would get in to the after show party. This was the reason George had wanted us all to go so we could meet his friend Bruce. As after show parties go it was something of a disappointment and by that I mean a lack of celebratory more than anything else. As for the guys I think most were looking forward to getting back to the hotel. Bruce eventually appeared and despite his after show commitments to others he very kindly spent more time with us than I think he was supposed to, so for that we thank him. When he finished talking to us his time was taken up doing the political thing with Alex Salmond and press stuff. That done off we went back to the hotel. We got back to St Andrews just before 2am.

Just a comment for those that are interested and this is not a political point of view just an observation. Alex Salmond is the First Minister of Scotland, and this event was part of the 250 years celebration of Rabbie Burns birth. Alex must have thought that this would be a great opportunity to rally the masses. Scone Palace with it great Scottish heritage, the home of Scottish Kings etc, and Runrig headlining. I expect he believed he would walk on stage and be welcomed like a returning Lybian terrorist. There were cheers from the crowd but there was also a good proportion jeering. Now Alex whether you like him or not, is definitely one of the smoothest operators in politics in the U.K. He leads the Scottish Nationalist Party who currently have the majority in the Scottish Parliament. He also retains a seat at Westminster as an M.P. representing his Scottish Constituency. As one political opponent recently stated "geting dirt to stick to Alex Salmond is like trying to nail custard to the wall".

With all that has gone on recently by that I mean the early release of the Lybian (whose name escapes me just now), and the American reaction to that release, I wonder how long it will take before we discover it was actually nothing to do with Alex and his party, but more to do with Westminster. My money is on Alex being relinquished of all blame as usual. I think the jeers got his attention because when the party started and the people appeared he had a very nervous few moments, I think. Then he discovered he was among friends. Like I say just an observation and I could well be wrong and if I'm not I will never be able to prove it.

Kingsbarns Golf Links & George Fisher

Yesterday we played at Kingsbarns George's favourite golf course. He has been waxing lyrically about this course and his caddy Kenny since we met. Sure enough on the way to the course he was at it again. Now for my money it is the best course in Scotland, which is statement enough but George takes his praise to a higher place. As for Kenny his favourite caddy, well I do believe in Georges eyes Kenny can do the equivalent of walking on water !!!

As usual the sun shone on the guys whilst it rained everywhere around them, how they keep avoiding getting wet I will never know.

Their day was so good that they wanted to play the course again today, in the hope that they make the ballot on Saturday and would you believe these lucky so and so's got their wish. Tee times at Kingsbarns at 10am and 10.10am then they came out of the ballot for 7am and 7.40am tomorrow. I think I should ask these guys for six lucky numbers for the lottery ! The week is starting to feel like the film groundhog day and I believe had they not made the ballot George would have had the guys playing Kingsbarns on Saturday as well. It is a simple routine they like their dinner in The Russell Hotel and their golf at Kingsbarns. Thankfully we got tee times for the Old Course and Kenny has talked them into trying a different restaurant tonight.

Saturday is a big day for the guys, or maybe just George I'm not really certain. We play the Old Course and then George has got us all tickets to see Runrig at Scone Palace. As one very unkind Scotsman said to me Status Quo in kilts, personally I think that is a bit harsh. In the meantime would you believe George is friends with the lead singer, not only do we all have to go to the concert but we will be joining the band at the after show party. Great if you love name dropping, but as an Englishman I think I would rather take my chances at the agm of the tartan army in Aviemore !!

Auchterlonies then Carnoustie Golf Links

Yesterday we played at Carnoustie, when we set off from St Andrews the weather was appalling, the traditional sideways rain. We left St Andrews early so we could have time to stop at Auchterlonies Outlet Store along the way, so some of the guys could purchase some gortex waterproof clothing. On days like today there is very little that will keep you dry but with good gortex you maybe able to keep reasonably warm and dry, but quality does not come cheap.

As it turned several of the guys liked the look of some of the bargains they found so it wasn't just Geoff and Mike who ended up spending money.

We arrived at Carnoustie a little early approximately 12.30pm and our tee times were 2.00 and 2.10pm. The reason for this was that we had arranged for lunch in the Carnoustie Golf Club. This is not a well known fact but the golf club is more than happy to serve lunch to visiting parties. Jane and her staff will make you welcome and serve good food at reasonable prices.

The picture is of the guys getting ready in the car park before they head off for the first tee, bet they didn't get this treatment at Loch Lomond ! As you can see the weather was not great but would you believe it, the minute they stepped on to the course the sun came out, some people are just born lucky. Before the guys arrived they changed their arrangements and travelled over to St Andrews a day earlier than planned, so they could arrive at Carnoustie refreshed and to quote Tom "kick its ass". Wish I had a pound for every time I've heard that. Guess what ? Tom was right and if he has told me the truth he did kick its ass !!

Dinner was at The Russell Hotel where the party were entertained by Helen and her staff, they enjoyed it so much they have booked to go again tonight. By the way a message to Mike Twigg and party "the staff forgive you ". Only joking they said they had enjoyed your company and asked how you all were.

Today Scotlands finest Kingsbarns.