The British Open or “THE” Open
It is such an exciting time right now as PGA professionals enter the second round tomorrow A.M. (4 a.m. coverage starts for those early risers) of the British Open, or “THE” Open as the British call it. This year it is being held at St. Andrews Links, the Old Course, the home of golf. I had the distinct pleasure of playing the Old Course a couple years ago. It was the golf thrill of a life time. The course is 600 years old, you know!
I was on a four-day golf trip to Scotland and St. Andrews Links was the highlight of the trip. The guys I traveled with, as well as myself, were told by the others that had went “across the pond” to expect all kinds of weather; from sunny and warm, to cold and windy, to sleet and hail. They failed to tell us that we’d have all of this weather everyday. We were also told that there are two things that you DO NOT need in Scotland, golf shorts and a golf umbrella. It was May when we went and the temps never got above about 45 degrees.
One of the thrills at the Old Course is when you tee off on #1. You step to the tee and are announced as follows: “Now Representing the United States of America, Mr. John Bailey. Gentlemen, play away.”
Fortunately, on #1, I managed to hit it down the left side of the fairway…where you are supposed to…quite by accident. My second shot was an iron to the green to about 12 feet from the hole. I missed the birdie but walked away with a par. I was even par on the Old Course at St. Andrews Links! Amazing.
The bunkers at St. Andrews are just what you hear about. They are six feet deep or more and located everywhere including the middle of the fairway - and even in the rough.
During our round, we laughed a lot, especially when the wind and sleet came. You just try to stand up and make a swing…never mind where it goes. Plus, it is hard to even see the green or your ball in those conditions.
On the “Road Hole”, #17, one of the most famous golf holes in the world, you have to hit the ball over part of the St. Andrews Hotel to the fairway. I was first to hit and hit it over the hotel. I turned to my friends and said my drive was either great or in someone’s drink.
From there I managed to hit my second shot into one of the famous bunkers along side of the green (six-feet deep) and needless to say took a few more whacks then I should have to get out of the bunker and ended up with an 8 on the hole.
Then on the finishing hole, #18, I hit a very poor second shot into the long grass way over the green and heard laughter and derogatory comments from the people watching – yes, even in the rain.
Fortunately I was able to hit it to within an inch of the hole to shut up the “gallery.”
It was a truly amazing experience. And as we watch the golfers this weekend I don’t care if it is called the British Open or “The Open.” What I do know though is that it is a true thrill to see the Old Course again. And if you haven’t been to St. Andrews, I’d recommend waking up early this weekend and watching this spectacular golf event and thinking about booking a trip there some day!
