Krakow Old Timers Golf Group Blog: Special Addition #5 from Scotland (Clark & Eichelberger's Big Adventure!)

Jim's Notes:

Day 6 - The Glen, aka “Pebble Beach of Scotland” was up first for the day and then Gullane 3. Gullane 3 finished out our Gullane hat trick by playing all 3 courses.

The Glen round started rough because someone at The Glen failed to actually contact the caddies planned for our round. The course provided complimentary trollies for our round. This mistake did not sit well with Mr. Clark and he was steamed to start the round. Even the trash game was canceled due to the situation. To add salt to the wound, the first hole was a par 4 that played straight out away from the clubhouse, then directly up 70’ of elevation to a blind approach shot to the green. Had caddies been available, we would have had some course knowledge for line and distance. Safe to say Mike and I did not hit the right distance and this added to the level of discontent.

The Glen is absolutely breathtaking. The views are simply amazing. Both players hit the ball well, but one of the two golfers sent most of their approaches over the green, adding even further to the lack of caddies frustration. Both players agree that The Glen is the best meeting of land, sea and golf that we have ever seen. And Mike has played Pebble Beach. 👍

Gullane 3 brought us back to Day 2 and our same caddies (Neil and Mark). Both are excellent caddies and a pleasure to be around. Mike played well and cleaned up again on the trash game. I earned a couple of snakes for my lack luster play. I did not back up my solid 80 from the championship tees at The Glen. Oh well at least I played well once today.

Mike's Notes:

Let’s just say that The Glen club is one of the best kept golf secrets in the world. If this cliff side links was in the US it would command $500 greens fees and would be booked full every day. Here if you live in Scotland you can be lucky enough to belong to several clubs. I saw a gent this morning that we met in the pub who is a member and he plays every morning at 7. Yearly membership for locals at most clubs is 500 pounds or less. It’s hard to believe. Golf is not just for fun but it’s a way of life here. Speaking of Pubs whoever was supposed to line up our caddies today must have had a hard night in the Pub as no caddies were to be found. The starter said someone forgot to contact them and we were on our own. That did not sit well with me as I think the caddy experience is about 75% of a really enjoyable round here. That being said it’s tough to do a lot of bitching as #1 we are guests here and #2 I would be arguing from a weak position as I just watched a group of 70 year old plus ladies either carry their clubs or push them several hundred yards straight up the hill on the 1st hole.

Jim did not let it bother him in the least and went on to some of his best ball striking of the trip and a very solid round. Had we been playing trash he’d have skinned me. I just could not shake the no caddy surprise and despite hitting the ball decently most of the way around I kept hitting the ball just short of the green only to watch it roll completely thru and into the rough. After a string of about 3 bogeys in a row I made my first double bogey of the trip only to be matched by an awesome birdie by Jim on a tough and blind downhill par 3 right on the ocean.

When we finished we both agreed that the course was so special it would be worth scrapping tomorrows round and coming back again with caddies.

Unfortunately it was not in the cards. We have caddies already booked for another course tomorrow and we both agreed we didn’t want to stiff someone who was counting on our fabulous company and the pounds and tip in the end.

Our second round was at Gullane 3…. With caddies that showed up. Although we didn’t take a lot of pics Gullane 3 was a gem of a course and true links. Any of our golf group back home would find it fair and fun.

Tomorrow we play a new venue and then it’s off to the St. Andrews area.

Hopefully we have not embarrassed ourselves too badly here and left those we have met with a smile and a positive outlook on folks from Missouri.