PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

This is the official practice round for the Rosapenna Spring Links Tournament to be played on the Sandy Hills course……following this, everyone will play one round each with their teams on the three courses here at Rosapenna…….Old Tom Morris will be first, followed by the gem ranked #49 in the World, St.Patricks, with the final round back on Sandy Hills, clearly I think the most challenging course of the three. The format is two best stableford points from the foursome, and in our case, the threesome, with an added feature that to this day I cannot understand. It is something to do with gaining additional points if you stroke on a hole where your ball will count, and perhaps giving you a net birdie instead of a par. It reminds me of something Big Al might dream up for Tuesday’s back home, ensuring that he wins all the $. Team names are required, and the Tulloch/Relihan group are going with “Mo’s Maniacs”, and I decided that we would be, what else?………”The Goats”. Our tee times this morning are around 9:30, playing guys and gals, not teams, so plenty of time to tie on the feed bag.

Breakfast is perfect as always, and we discovered the craziest thing during our morning conversation……..Maurice and I are from the same town in Scotland……Falkirk. I was actually born at the infirmary in Stirling, but our family home was in Falkirk before the big move to Canada when I was 12. Similar story for Mo who came to Canada as a youngster also. Incredible. The golf routine here is pretty slick……..if you are playing Sandy Hills or Old Tom Morris, you can actually walk to the clubhouse from the hotel, with trolleys and buggies (golf carts) available at the front door. Getting to the driving range just down and across the road will require some wheels though, so I three bag it on the back of the cart, pile in with the goats, and we are off. Tokens are required at the ball machine……one token (1 euro) = 12 balls……..I wish I had this concession! I think the range balls cost more than the new ones I get from LostGolfBalls.com . It is a lovely day for golf…….have we ever lucked out again this year……..maybe a little chillier than you would like, and the wind accentuates that, but very playable with a few light layers. Sibylle has been under the weather a little for a couple of days, and opts for the multi layer, “I ain’t gettin’ cold no way” approach. We did count, and it came out to 6…….I believe there is also an optional 7th if it were to start raining. Whatever works. Sandy Hills delivers a good test today, and conditions were quite nice for this time of year……..again we are thankful that the long grasses on the dunes have not grown in yet…..the greens were slow, but very true…….all in all, a very nice round of golf, and nice to have some male companionship on the course.

We have arranged a return trip to Olde Glen restaurant tonight for the whole crew and arranged for transportation there and back via Justin, but the driver apparently got held up with his afternoon clients and was quite late, but the folks at the hotel bailed us out and had a short bus there for us in pretty short order. I am sure the looks on Mo’s Maniacs faces were similar to ours when we first walked into the Olde Glen pub a few years ago…….expecting a Michelin mentioned restaurant, you end up in a low ceilinged pub that is about the same size as walk-in-closet………but the drinks are flowing and the locals are chatting us up, so couldn’t be better. The other day when we were here, Jutta was checking out the paper money that is tacked to the roof and support beams in the bar……..all denominations from many different countries, and she decides were are leaving our mark tonight. A $5 bill is produced, circulated for signatures, and then tacked up high on the wall next to the entry. It will be there for years to come, so if you are ever in the neighbourhood, check it out. Cormac comes through from the dining room and escorts us to our table………I give Ciaran a wave in the kitchen, and then it begins. Settled in with wine ordered, the focus is on the menu, and the chalkboard with specials for the evening propped up on a chair beside us. The first amuse bouche arrives, then a second, then a third, hold me back, yes, four in total……..all delicious, and sorry but I can’t remember what they were……..little one bite wonders. Dinner is fantastic……..everyone gushing…….completely stuffed once again…….glad we have a ride home waiting outside. A little nightcap in the bar at the hotel and I am ready for some shut eye…….need to be fresh for the opening round tomorrow.