Everyone arrived more or less as scheduled. There were a few mislaid clubs but they arrived over night or this morning The weather is just stunning. Bright blue skies, warm spring sunshine and just a touch of cool sea breeze to remind us that it can be unpredictable.
Last night’s drinks reception was just the start of a very enjoyable evening. Our Tournament Director, Stan Thain gave a short address which explained the activity over the ensuing few days and welcoming those who had played in the tournament before. (Peens, Norvals and Rosso’s). Dinner in the Conservatory was excellent. The fillet of beef earned compliments from Americans, Canadians and South Africans, so it must have been pretty special. The instant bonding and friendships that spring up each year is still a source of amazement and delight. I was at the rowdiest table, I think, but the laughter was warm and real.
Young Mikkel Hanssen has only been married 11 days, but the event was so important to him and his Dad he had permission from his new young wife to make the trip!
We gave all participants a splendid windshirt, but there was no wind today – typical!!!! So it was a joy to see how many of them were wearing their own team colours!
One of the competitors (remaining nameless!) almost missed his tee time this morning he’d had such a good time last night! They were teeing off with the Chairman of St Andrews Links Trust and his son (Peter & Ross Forster). He sprinted across the Old Course, straight on to the New Course tee and made it just in time. Not good for his Father’s blood pressure!
We are looking for some really good scores today since there is no wind, and everyone is hyped up for it!
The second day of the Tournament dawned cool but glorious, and as the teams made their way to Crail, the sun got warm, and it was hard to hide the anticipation for the next stage. The clubhouse is under construction at Crail, but the stunning view from the 1st tee drew eyes away from the building and towards the calm blue mouth of the Forth Estuary. On a good day, it’s hard to beat Crail as a spectacular venue.
Most of the participants had an earlier night and were fresh (even Blake Cushnie who celebrated his birthday on Sunday). Some of the teams tried out the “Seafood Restaurant” for dinner. The comments about the food were glowing, as was the experience of watching an amazing Scottish Spring sunset through the glass walled room.
The scores will tell their own tale today, but be in no doubt the competition is heating up along with the weather.
The predicted sea breeze today had half the field sporting the grey & orange Father & Son wind shirts before they even left the hotel, and by the last tee time, they were all glad they had them! The wind was cold, and a passing shower sprinkled the players as they went off on their third day’s competition. A few aches and pains were evident today, but everyone was ready for Kingsbarns. Big John Smyth asked to have his lunch served in the locker room because the view was so wonderful and the furniture so comfortable!!
It will be interesting to see which hole causes the most gossip. The 13th at Crail certainly set up some noteworthy shots yesterday. Brian Gill’s ball bounced 40 ft into the air and dropped 10 ft from the hole (lucky for some) whilst Gerard Van Der Merwee just missed the parked cars (very lucky for the car owners.)
The Faliero’s provided the humour this morning with their attractive matching “Ian Poulter” look!!
The Whisky Tasting & Kilt Fitting tonight will provide another opportunity to relax a little and learn a bit more about the traditions and history of Scotland. We will have 2 of the participants help us to demonstrate how the kilt should be worn and the do’s and don’ts of Highland Dress. The whisky will soothe the nerves of those 2 male models!
After the fun, we will serve a traditional supper of Scottish Stovies, Haggis, Neeps & tatties, followed by a dessert of Clootie Dumpling and custard. That should soak up any remains of the whisky!
After a fantastic day at Kingsbarns the group made their way over the Old Course to the Links Clubhouse for their lesson in the other great traditions of the Scots. Good Scotch Whisky and the Wearing of the Kilt!
Our guest speaker gave a very informative talk on how our best known export is manufactured, it’s history and origins and the subtle differences in flavours. This was just a warmer for the next part of the evening. The Kilt Demonstration is always a laugh, but the two “models” we invited to demonstrate for us helped make it a night to remember. Alonso Galvan Jr (USA), and Theo Franken (South Africa) were shameless in their efforts to be True Scots!! There was a huge roar as the guys competed to get their kilts, socks, shoes, sporrans and flashes in the right places. Alonso Galvan won the race, but Theo got the biggest roar of approval when he removed the last remaining obstacle to True Scotsman status!
The evening was rounded off with a traditional supper before the participants headed off to bed in preparation for their final round on the Old Course.
The final day arrived swathed in sunshine for the 4th day in a row!! In reality…the weather was the winner simply because it allowed everyone to play their best golf on some of the most beautiful courses Scotland has to offer. Once the last ball was holed, and the cards gathered, counted and checked, the returning Champions, leading the field from the beginning had triumphed for a second time. That’s another first for the Tournament. It hasn’t been done before so is already a challenge for next year’s participants!
One of the most noticeable things about this year’s group (for us, the organisers) is their slightly un-nerving ability to be where they are supposed to be and on time! We asked them to begin to come downstairs at 5.30pm dressed in kilts to get their photographs taken, and sure enough most of them arrived. Several were asked to pose for photographs with a variety of hotel guests who were delighted to see such a large number of handsome, kilt-wearing men in one place! The group shot was taken in front of the R & A, from where John Smyth and Brian McDonald emerged having been invited in by some well connected friends! The group shot will be up on the site very soon!
The coach then wound it’s way to Charleton House through the Fife countryside, and the breathtaking views across the Forth Estuary to Muirfield and North Berwick drew gasps from the passengers. By the time the driver had turned into the bumpy, winding and quite creepy drive the guys were beside themselves with curiosity. Where they were going? Looking at the house from the drop off point I heard several whispers about what kind of place it was, but as the piper led us through the garden and into the house the questions disappeared. The house is a very strange mix of the old, the grand and the ancient, but with both the Baron St Clair Bonde, and his wife Baroness Christina on hand to welcome us all, everyone relaxed into the spirit of the evening.
The Baron stood up and welcomed everyone and gave a history of Charleton that stretches back through 11 generations and 300 years. Immediately afterwards the ghostly spectacle of Old Tom Morris and his caddie stepped forward through time to talk about the game’s original Father & Son. The sad story of Young Tom to a hushed audience made the hairs stand up on the nape of a few necks, but the sombre mood changed when the first course of an excellent dinner was served.
There was another pleasant surprise with the local Pipe Band doing Beating the Retreat on the front lawn at Charleton, and that caused a few Fathers to hug their sons! The prizegiving followed. Chrystal decanters, shiny claret jugs, some beautiful handmade hickory putters and a couple of silly hats for the team bringing up the rear were bestowed to the winners. Marco Saviozzi said a big thank you and then asked all sons to be upstanding and toast their Fathers, without whom “they would be nothing!” and finally John Smyth stood up and thanked my team, and everyone involved for a great Tournament.
The coach journey back was quiet enough but a few of the sons wanted to go out and finish the night off in the local hostelries, still all dressed in their kilts! I’m sure they wowed the locals and hopefully, they all made their various early departures this morning.
It was a FANTASTIC event…..and we want ALL of you to return with friends and family!!