Special Addition #11 from Scotland (Clark & Eichelberger's Big Adventure!)

 Today found us at Dumbarnie Golf Links to start the morning… beautiful weather to start but after 12 holes we were scrambling to put on the rain gear.

This course is only 3-4 years old but it looks like it has been here for a hundred years.

Just magnificent turf to play on. I feel like I’m sharpening up my links game a bit with good scoring today.

Perfect for when both Jimmy and I get home. We have been grooming the 8 iron all the way down to 5 iron bump and run…. I’m sure that’s going to come in real handy at FCCC 😂

I was telling Jimmy, some of these holes are darn hard on a guy. We played a stretch into the wind this afternoon of par 4s equivalent to playing #1 at FCCC in the winter on a soggy fairway from the absolute black tips with 15-20 mph wind in the face. It’s just tough golf.

But if the wind is at your back, Jimmy hit several over 300 and I might have gotten a few in the 270-80 range so it all equals out.

The afternoon round was at Elie Golf Club… another very old seaside links par 72 with no par 5s… just 3s and 4s. It features some beautiful seaside holes. It starts with a blind tee shot up over a hill. There is an actual submarine periscope mounted in the starter shack that allows him to view and know when the fairway or green is clear for play to start the next group on 1.

They did not have caddies booked for us as someone stateside dropped the ball. I was on the phone giving the booking company an earful when Jimmy saved the day by getting us grouped with two others one of which did have a local caddy so we didn’t have to play blind. One of the guys was a horse breeder in Kentucky and the other guy was from Michigan..   they could both play but the guy from Michigan went swimming in cologne…. I mean you couldn’t walk downwind without out getting a nose full that doesn’t easily go away.

I kind of equated it to walking into the hog barn at the Town and Country Fair when it’s hot and sticky…. Even though you are breathing fresh air when you get outside, the smell sticks with you.

All in all despite packing the sticks we had a great time.

Tomorrow is our last two rounds beginning with the mighty Carnoustie and ending with Panmure. From what we have heard of how difficult Carnoustie is, I’m already preparing myself for an ass kicking but it’s going to get the best us Missouri boys can throw at it!

A shot of scotch to start the morning round at Dumbarnie.

The boys on the tee waiting to rip a drive down the middle.

Check out this view on Dumbarnie.

Today's caddies at Dumbarnie Links... Great guys!

Dumbarnie view.

Dumbarnie view.

Stay out of the gorse!

Rain came in mid-round and we had to suit up. We knew the rain was coming because the caddies started their round with gear on. 

Elie links in the afternoon.  Periscope from a retired WWII HMS sub. Starter can see the #1 green to know when to start the next foursome. Couple of places at FCCC that we could use something like this😂.

The view from back of #2 green with the clubhouse and starter box in the distance.  Zoom in and you can see the periscope. 

The guys on the seaside at Elie Links.  No par 5’s on this course but some long par 4’s.  Jim and Mike both shot in the mid-70’s at a challenging track. 

Mostly sunny afternoon after a bit of rain in the mid-day.  This is Elie Links. The views are amazing.

This is long par 4 along the coastline.  Look at this guys face - he is worn out😂 and his blistered feet are killing him but he keeps putting the miles on and checking off his buddies bucket list.  👍

Dunvegan for dinner.  Steps away from R&A and #18 on the Old Course. 

Our hotel for the last several nights in St. Andrews.