Royal Lytham and St. Anne's

Royal Lytham
and
St. Anne's

July, 2002
Royal Lytham and St. Anne's Ballmarker

The clubhouse at Royal Lytham and St. Anne's

The next day, I returned to Royal Lytham and St. Anne's. There are a limited number of days where guests are permitted to play and I was made to feel quite welcome. However, there is still tradition to be observed. I asked the club professional, who had checked me in, with whom would I be playing? Oh, he responded, you will be playing by yourself, not with the members.

Once on the course, I was behind a group of 4 older members who (like me too often) were searching for balls in the rough. They waved me through and wished me an enjoyable round.

View from the first tee - Royal Lytham and St. Anne's

Near the first tee at Royal Lytham and St. Anne's. The tee box is at the right side of the photo, the par 3 green slightly to the right out of camera.

The wind and the rough were brutal at Royal Lytham St. Anne's, not to mention over 100 bunkers in and around the fairways.

The practice putting green and guest house / dormatory at Royal Lytham and St. Anne's.

The practice putting green and guest house / dormitory at Royal Lytham and St. Anne's.

It forced me to concentrate that much more, and I that experience has improved my golf game - but it was a tough round. I recall the 18th hole for example, I aimed my shot to the left of the fairway bunker, but the wind just caught it and forced my ball into a bunker - right in the middle of the fairway. With the vertical front walls, the only shot is to the side - a virtual penalty stroke, but I did make a respectable 6 on this tough finishing hole.
At the conclusion of my round, I stopped in the pro shop to again thank them for their courtesy over the past two days. I mentioned that I had stayed at a local B&B and the pro said I should have mentioned that I need overnight accommodations - he could have arranged for me to stay in the guest house - had I only asked. That would have been nice - but still a great couple of days - two rounds of golf at two of The Open Championship courses.
Next, I was off to London Gatwick, to pick up my son Jim who was going to join me for a few days. However, there was a pleasant diversion.

England

Scotland