| Scotland
St. Andrews July, 2001 |
On Sunday evening, I enjoyed a long conversation with the Innkeeper at the Guard House Bridge Hotel and his friend who worked at St. Andrews. She offered several suggestions regarding how to improve my chances for playing the Old Course, including offering to bring me as her guest, if I was unable to get a tee time otherwise. This was typical of my experience – everyone was so courteous and helpful. I’ll take Scottish hospitality over southern hospitality anytime. |
| On Monday morning, I arrived at the Starter’s Booth at 6 AM and became number 6 in line. Golfers are sent out in foursomes (or is it fore some??) – if a group has less than four, the starter will take a name from the top of the list and pair them with the group to make a foursome. This does not hold true for the members of St. Andrews who may play in a group with less than four golfers, and not have to suffer the indignities of tourist golfers. | 
St. Andrews, as seen from the Old Course |
Bunker guarding 17th green, St. Andrews Old Course (David Duval - 4 strokes, 2000 British Open) |
While waiting in line, I met a gentleman formerly from Houston, currently living in Dallas, David Pearlman, who had made previous trips to St. Andrews. He suggested we “enter the lottery” for open tee times for the Old Course the next day. (At least two names are required to enter the lottery.) David filled out the lottery form. The drawing is held and the winning tee time assignments are posted at 2:00 PM. As luck would have it, we won the 7:20 AM tee time for Tuesday. |
After getting our names on Monday’s singles list at 7 AM, David and I went to have some breakfast at a local restaurant. Shortly after I returned to the starters booth, they told me I would be going out with the 10:50 AM group. GREAT!! If you ask any serious golfer which one course – anywhere in the world – they would most like to play, it would likely be the Old Course at St. Andrews – and I was going to play it!
