Mike Clark in Scotland - Day 3

Well I’m officially a Toffs Honorary Member. The Toffs is the senior men’s group at Tain…. Tains-over-fifty-five. 

I was met with some speculation and a lot of scrutiny when our pro Stewart Morison asked if there would be a spot for me to play with the men’s group this morning. It would be the same as if an outsider wanted to play with the points game and the newcomer was riding with Hall propping a foot up on the windshield of Bills cart. 

Luckily I played great today, managed a 73 despite taking a snowman on the par 5 4th and had the best time and a lot of laughs with my two playing partners. 

We all had a pint when we were finished and I was told I’m officially in the fold and invited to play in the upcoming inter club match against Brora on Monday at Tain.

This afternoon I made the decision to play a hidden gem 9 hole track in the mountains called Bonar Bridge. It’s only about a 25 minute white knuckle drive to the course, but I was not quite prepared. Imagine driving on the wrong side of the road, on a road with hairpin turns, no shoulder, barely wide enough to accommodate 2 vehicles and stone walls only inches from the left side of my precious Mercedes SUV…. All at a speed way too fast for the conditions. 

I’m sure the scenery was spectacular but I never saw any of it as I was fixated on the road and doing my absolute best not to swipe an oncoming car or a rock wall. By the time I reached the course my hands were cramped from squeezing the life out of the steering wheel. 

Bonar Bridge is a lovely mountain course of just 9 holes and it was in immaculate condition. I did my best to take a few pictures, but they just cannot do the place the justice it deserves. I pretty much had the entire course to myself and only saw 2 other players several holes ahead of me. It was a very relaxing 9 hole walk and I played 2 balls off and on.

 

However I ended the day on a somewhat unnerving note. The ninth hole is a tight slightly uphill 311 yard par four and after a good drive with a 5 iron, I found myself 152 to the green.  The tiny clubhouse at Bonar is adjacent to the green and their small patio and walkway is maybe 10 yards at most from the edge of the putting surface.  Needless to say, I knew I was in trouble the moment the club made contact with the ball. It was one of those shots you wish you could take back as I watched in horror as my TPX 5 violently pull hooked left and careened off the side of the clubhouse. Luckily it hit stucco and not glass but I’m 100% certain that I’m the only man from Missouri that has hit the clubhouse at Bonar Bridge in the Scottish Highlands on his second shot.