I had the privilege of playing the old course in St. Andrews.
It was 1986. I was in my mid-20's spending a couple of months in Europe. Late June I caught a bus out of Edinburgh to St. Andrews, figuring I may never be this close again. No clubs, no tee time, no hotel room, no plan.
Walked up to what we might call the pro shop and inquired about playing. It was a Saturday afternoon. The guy said they had no current times available for that day as the last tee time was about 4, in order to let the players play the outward 9 and still have time to play the 9 coming back.
He also told me the Old Course was closed on Sundays, but I could inquire about times on the other 3 courses. I asked about Monday. He said the only time available was in the second group off that morning, 6:10 a.m. He had just a twosome. Told him to sign me up.
Walked into the town of St. Andrews and rented a room at a little bed and breakfast. Walked around the town (it is an extraordinarily small town) and stopped at a local pub. The 1986 World Cup was on so needless to say everyone was a little amped up.
Spent Sunday wandering around the community. Although most shops were closed, it was still pretty interesting, including a cemetary that had to have been there for centuries.
5:30 a.m. Monday morning I was there, ready to go. Rented a cheap set of clubs. Greens fees were the equivalent of $27 (I still marvel at how unreal that was).
We had a great threesome. A kid from North Dakota, a 50 something year old man from New Zealand, spending a year traveling the world with his wife, and Bob Stockman, a 77 year old life long resident of St. Andrews who had worked as the starter at the course for 37 years, before retiring. He had been the starter during the great British Opens of the '60's and '70's and had wonderful stories to tell. He also knew every square inch of the course and would tell you exactly where to hit every shot (if only it were that easy).
We followed a group of 4 men from Texas who were on a Scotland golf outing. They were really struggling. If you don't know where to go on the course, it would be kind of hard. Many of the holes you stand on the tee and it's not readily apparent where either the green or the fairway are at. They were all over the course.
On the 6th tee we saw an official visit the Texans out on the 6th fairway (actually, the gorse). Bob told me they were probably getting warned about slow play. On the 8th hole (almost at the far end of the course!) they were asked to leave due to slow play. I can't imagine how that would suck.
The first 10 holes I played great -- 2 over par. But remember, being from North Dakota, playing golf on a hard, flat, windy golf course was not exactly a unique experience. Also, the wind really hadn't kicked up yet.
By the time we made the turn it was getting really brutal. The last 8 holes ate me up. I played them in 12 over, including pars on the Road Hole (17) and the 18th. Finished with an 84. I think I still have the card. Took a photo off of every tee box and had the guy from New Zealand take a picture of Bob and me on the Swilken Burn Bridge on the 18th fairway.
One of my favorite memories of a lifetime.
Never could get a media tag for Augusta National though.
