"The Bucket List" tells the story of two men facing terminal illness who made a vow to spend their final days checking off items from their life long wish lists. One can't help but think of all those things they would like to do when faced with thoughts of their own mortality. As a golfer, I've often thought of the legendary fairways I hope to traverse before my time is done. One such place for me has always been the links of Scotland, specifically the Old Course at St. Andrews. Good Lord willing, I have a lifetime of golfing memories yet to make. That being said, as a man who loves the game and all she stands for, I felt compelled to share my story from our recent trip the Scotland, the second in as many years. Yes, I realize how lucky I am.
Let me start by saying, if it hadn't been for Phil Mickelson, none of this would have happened. Thank you Phil! My wife Kristen and I had planned all week to head over to Loch Lomond on Saturday of the Barclays Scottish Open to watch Phil play. Due to inclement weather and a lack of form, Phil missed the cut.
We instead made our way back to St. Andrews to mill around for the day. Not long after we got there, one thing became very clear to me. The Kohler Water Spa at the Old Course Hotel, one of Kristen's favorite places, had her on speed dial. A huge smile crept across her face and I knew I was on my own for the rest of the day. I was left to fend for myself in the Home of Golf. It was the Saturday before the Open and the town was already buzzing as golf fans began streaming into town. The golf shops and pubs were filled with excitement over the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship in the days to come. Would Tiger right the ship or would Phil bag his first Claret Jug as the Champion Golfer of the Year? All questions that would be answered soon enough. In the meantime, I decided to warm myself with a wee dram of Glenmorangie before hitting the links to watch some of the practice rounds.
I decided to walk the course backwards as most of the players were well into their rounds. I came across Henrik Stenson as he studied the intricacies of the 15th green. It was fun to watch the pros work on the different shots they would be required to hit around the greens. I continued down the back nine to the 13th where I found Padraig Harrington practicing his approach shots into the short 12th. Such imagination with all the humps and bumps surrounding every hole. It truly is a different game over here. After a few more holes and a lot more rain, I headed back to one of our favorite spots, the Jigger Inn, one of the most famous pubs in St. Andrews if not all of Scotland. Situated just beyond the stone wall lining the 17th fairway and right in front of the Old Course Hotel, the Jigger offers an excellent vantage point to take in the scene. Being cold and wet, I felt it best to settle inside by the fire for a while.
I found a nice spot next to the fireplace and the tv. Perfect for some good food, good whiskey and good people watching. In no time at all, I was treated to all three. I ordered another dram along with a three cheese toastie, a delicious treat Kristen and I discovered here last year. I was about half way through when my day took a very interesting turn. In walks PGA Tour player Tim Petrovic, his caddy Don Donatello of Big Break fame, "Zen Golf" author Dr. Joe Parent and Tim's manager David Moorman. They took the table next to me and almost immediately we began chatting it up. The British version of the show "Wipe Out" was playing on the tv above us. Between that and Tim's uncanny ability to fire off classic movie quotes, there was no shortage of entertainment. After an hour or so, dinner was over and it was time to get going. I chalked the past hour or two up to one of my chance encounters and I get ready to go, wishing Tim well for the week before I do. Much to my surprise, instead of saying goodbye, they ask me to join them as Tim needed to finish 17 and 18. Before coming into the Jigger, Tim had teed off on 17, leaving his tee shot in the fairway. Across the stone wall and inside the ropes I go to join the crew as Tim finishes up the 17th.
While Tim and Don worked out their strategy for one of the toughest holes in golf, I made my way down the fairway with "Doc" and David. We were the last folks on the course. It had gotten so late that the pins had been removed from the greens. "Doc" told Tim "no pins" were a good thing since most players hit better shots when there was no flag on the green. He said players freed up and just let it happen. Sure enough, Tim striped his approach shot to the right front of the green. Nice two putt par. After some extra practice out of the famed "Road Hole Bunker", we took the short walk to the 18th tee. By this time, darkness was fast approaching. The flickering lights of the R&A clubhouse made for a beautiful backdrop as Tim teed off. I found myself on the same tee a year ago as I had the privilege of playing the Old Course. I'll never forget my excitement as I let it rip towards the clock on the R&A Clubhouse. A short iron shot and two putts later, I closed my dream round with a par. So here I was a year later, on the tee again. Only this time, my experience up the 18th would prove to be much different. Tim busted a drive up the left center of the fairway, coming to rest just across the beach access road that bisects the 1st and 18th fairways. Next thing I knew, Don called me over to take the bag. "Bring him home" he said as my jaw dropped. I took the bag and he took my camera. He took some great shots of me crossing the Swilken Bridge, Tim's bag on my shoulder, along with several of the R&A clubhouse in the backdrop. Not only is Don a great caddy, but he also sports a flair for photography.
After putting out, Tim made his way to the clubhouse, beckoning me to follow. I stood there frozen, knowing I was not allowed in the R&A Clubhouse unless I was an R&A member or a player in the Open Championship. While neither applied, in just a few minutes, I found myself standing in the doorway of the most famous clubhouse in the world. I was about to enter hallowed ground.
Tim's Callaway bag in tow, I found myself standing before a beautiful glass case. Inside said case was the original Champion Golfer's Belt as well as the original Claret Jug. Scared that I was about to be promptly removed from the premises, I failed to get any pictures. I can assure you though that the image of that case and what it held remains crystal clear in my mind. A moment later an attendant with the R&A said, " Young man, follow me!" We then made our way downstairs to the Champions' Locker Room of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. I was like a kid in a candy store. So many names, so much history. Thankfully, Tim thought to take my camera and get some shots for me as I gazed at the names atop the lockers. Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino and Watson; a who's who of the golfing greats. A few more minutes to soak it all in and then we headed upstairs, leaving me to wonder with each step if I would ever see this place again. The guys headed up to their home for the week and I headed back down to the Jigger to find Kristen. I found her waiting for me along the old stone wall. When she saw my smile she knew my afternoon had been something special. Indeed it was!
Let me start by saying, if it hadn't been for Phil Mickelson, none of this would have happened. Thank you Phil! My wife Kristen and I had planned all week to head over to Loch Lomond on Saturday of the Barclays Scottish Open to watch Phil play. Due to inclement weather and a lack of form, Phil missed the cut.
We instead made our way back to St. Andrews to mill around for the day. Not long after we got there, one thing became very clear to me. The Kohler Water Spa at the Old Course Hotel, one of Kristen's favorite places, had her on speed dial. A huge smile crept across her face and I knew I was on my own for the rest of the day. I was left to fend for myself in the Home of Golf. It was the Saturday before the Open and the town was already buzzing as golf fans began streaming into town. The golf shops and pubs were filled with excitement over the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship in the days to come. Would Tiger right the ship or would Phil bag his first Claret Jug as the Champion Golfer of the Year? All questions that would be answered soon enough. In the meantime, I decided to warm myself with a wee dram of Glenmorangie before hitting the links to watch some of the practice rounds.
I decided to walk the course backwards as most of the players were well into their rounds. I came across Henrik Stenson as he studied the intricacies of the 15th green. It was fun to watch the pros work on the different shots they would be required to hit around the greens. I continued down the back nine to the 13th where I found Padraig Harrington practicing his approach shots into the short 12th. Such imagination with all the humps and bumps surrounding every hole. It truly is a different game over here. After a few more holes and a lot more rain, I headed back to one of our favorite spots, the Jigger Inn, one of the most famous pubs in St. Andrews if not all of Scotland. Situated just beyond the stone wall lining the 17th fairway and right in front of the Old Course Hotel, the Jigger offers an excellent vantage point to take in the scene. Being cold and wet, I felt it best to settle inside by the fire for a while.
I found a nice spot next to the fireplace and the tv. Perfect for some good food, good whiskey and good people watching. In no time at all, I was treated to all three. I ordered another dram along with a three cheese toastie, a delicious treat Kristen and I discovered here last year. I was about half way through when my day took a very interesting turn. In walks PGA Tour player Tim Petrovic, his caddy Don Donatello of Big Break fame, "Zen Golf" author Dr. Joe Parent and Tim's manager David Moorman. They took the table next to me and almost immediately we began chatting it up. The British version of the show "Wipe Out" was playing on the tv above us. Between that and Tim's uncanny ability to fire off classic movie quotes, there was no shortage of entertainment. After an hour or so, dinner was over and it was time to get going. I chalked the past hour or two up to one of my chance encounters and I get ready to go, wishing Tim well for the week before I do. Much to my surprise, instead of saying goodbye, they ask me to join them as Tim needed to finish 17 and 18. Before coming into the Jigger, Tim had teed off on 17, leaving his tee shot in the fairway. Across the stone wall and inside the ropes I go to join the crew as Tim finishes up the 17th.
While Tim and Don worked out their strategy for one of the toughest holes in golf, I made my way down the fairway with "Doc" and David. We were the last folks on the course. It had gotten so late that the pins had been removed from the greens. "Doc" told Tim "no pins" were a good thing since most players hit better shots when there was no flag on the green. He said players freed up and just let it happen. Sure enough, Tim striped his approach shot to the right front of the green. Nice two putt par. After some extra practice out of the famed "Road Hole Bunker", we took the short walk to the 18th tee. By this time, darkness was fast approaching. The flickering lights of the R&A clubhouse made for a beautiful backdrop as Tim teed off. I found myself on the same tee a year ago as I had the privilege of playing the Old Course. I'll never forget my excitement as I let it rip towards the clock on the R&A Clubhouse. A short iron shot and two putts later, I closed my dream round with a par. So here I was a year later, on the tee again. Only this time, my experience up the 18th would prove to be much different. Tim busted a drive up the left center of the fairway, coming to rest just across the beach access road that bisects the 1st and 18th fairways. Next thing I knew, Don called me over to take the bag. "Bring him home" he said as my jaw dropped. I took the bag and he took my camera. He took some great shots of me crossing the Swilken Bridge, Tim's bag on my shoulder, along with several of the R&A clubhouse in the backdrop. Not only is Don a great caddy, but he also sports a flair for photography.
After putting out, Tim made his way to the clubhouse, beckoning me to follow. I stood there frozen, knowing I was not allowed in the R&A Clubhouse unless I was an R&A member or a player in the Open Championship. While neither applied, in just a few minutes, I found myself standing in the doorway of the most famous clubhouse in the world. I was about to enter hallowed ground.
Tim's Callaway bag in tow, I found myself standing before a beautiful glass case. Inside said case was the original Champion Golfer's Belt as well as the original Claret Jug. Scared that I was about to be promptly removed from the premises, I failed to get any pictures. I can assure you though that the image of that case and what it held remains crystal clear in my mind. A moment later an attendant with the R&A said, " Young man, follow me!" We then made our way downstairs to the Champions' Locker Room of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. I was like a kid in a candy store. So many names, so much history. Thankfully, Tim thought to take my camera and get some shots for me as I gazed at the names atop the lockers. Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino and Watson; a who's who of the golfing greats. A few more minutes to soak it all in and then we headed upstairs, leaving me to wonder with each step if I would ever see this place again. The guys headed up to their home for the week and I headed back down to the Jigger to find Kristen. I found her waiting for me along the old stone wall. When she saw my smile she knew my afternoon had been something special. Indeed it was!
