A couple of things struck me about this very famous and old course. First, I don't think it's very pretty. Compared to the golf courses in California, say Pebble Beach, this course is pretty simple. Matt says it's a links style course, so it's supposed to be that way. And the "bunkers," er sand traps, are enormous. But, if you're into golf, getting to play is a big deal.
Second, is that for being a very prestigious and historic course, it's very open to the public. The course is completely closed on Sundays so the public can use the course, picnic, frisbee, walking... anything except play golf. There is also ample room to watch around the 18th hole. We spent over an hour just sitting on the grass above the 18th hole in the afternoon just to take a break and take it all on. I can't imagine the good people of Pebble Beach allowing that to happen. And, there is a walking path, that cars can drive on, right across the 18th/1st greens. Periodically, people, cars and vans would actually use this.
I was very happy for Matt that he was able to play a round of golf, but if we had to do it all over again, I'd make sure we stayed two nights to enjoy St. Andrews at a more leisurely pace.
As we sit in the train station to take the Calendonian Sleeper back to London, if we could do Scotland over, I'd stay longer in each place and enjoy it at a more leisurely pace. We were able to see so much, but we are all pretty beat. The kids are holding up pretty well, and the five of us are actually still speaking to each other after being very close for the last five days. And, if we could stay a few more days in Scotland, I'd want to rent a small RV. We saw many of these around Scotland and there were a number of campgrounds to stay in. It has been hard lugging the luggage in the hotel, digging through the bag to find what you need and unpacking toiletries each night. In an RV, we could still move around, but not have to deal with different hotels. And, as scared as I was for Matt doing the driving, he did a great job and we all got use to being on the wrong side of the road. Not that I want to do the driving, but I'm thankful that Matt wanted to do this and took on all the driving.
Now, some photos from our day today:
Being up so early, Matt got to see the sun rise in Scotland. Keep in mind that the sun sets at nearly 11 and rises about 4am.
Matt, waits in the dark, early in the morning, hoping to get a tee time.
Joan and Abby watching Matt play the 17th hole. John looks pretty relaxed.
And a shoe tying lesson while they waited on the 17th.
Made and his Caddy, Collin.
Matt on the famous bridge coming up the 18th hole.
And the kids got in on the photo.
Abby and John each got to put one in on the 18th. Now they can say they have played St. Andrews.
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