Golf - Scotland

As Sandra mentioned...I spent last weekend in Scotland golfing. As most of you know - Sandra, Eli, and Mary stayed in Montana for an additional three weeks after I returned to Germany. Somewhat by coincidence, the other Deere expat family in Zweibruecken (John, Sarah, and their 4 kids) are in the same situation for most of July - John in Germany and the family in the States. It soon became obvious that John and I had to go golfing somewhere for a weekend while our wife's and kids were away. What a better place then St. Andrews!
Little did we know what it takes to actually play the Old Course....a Handicap Index, entering the Ballot, and of course having decent weather. We learned at 5Pm on Friday (just prior to our departure for the airport) that we were on the Ballot for 11:10 Saturday morning. Having a tee time on the Old Course was our main objective for the weekend. The course is closed on Sunday, so the only other day would have been Monday as we flew home on Tuesday morning. In route to the airport, I called Carnoustie and was given a tee time for Monday. The weekend was falling together better then could be expected. We played the Castle Course (the 7th course at St. Andrews which opened just this summer) on Sunday. Photos from the weekend:

We experienced all the weather that Scotland could throw at us. We teed off on the Old Course in a pouring rain - that rain suite in my bag finally paid off. It rained and blew steadily through the first 4 or 5 holes. As should have been expected, the course layout played directly into the wind going out. I am looking forward to 2010 when the Open returns to the Old Course, it will be a new experience seeing the Pros play it now. Sunday brought another experience, clear blue sky's....with a 30+ mph wind. The Castle course is built on a bluff over the North See just outside of St. Andrews - spectacular views - a true Links experience. Monday brought us to Carnoustie with perfect weather which was needed. From my perspective, the most difficult test of the weekend. Long par 4's and numerous deep bunkers, as well as the Barry Burn which has an amazing ability to attract golf balls.
My play was less then great - I really had no expectations having not played since last summer. I would love to go back and give it another try someday....let me know if you are interested!