We booked a starting time for the early afternoon, so we planned the morning at Dundonald Golf Course and the afternoon at West Kilbride Golf Course. I was very excited to visit the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and see a few of the players whom we’ve become familiar with. Cheyenne Knight is a particular favorite. She’s a lovely player who almost won the WSO in 2020, but in a playoff, came in second to Stacey Lewis. We met her in 2019, her rookie year, when she washed out of the Ladies British Open after a huge rainstorm hit. We were playing Longniddry Gold Course when she showed up in the parking lot. Johnny spotted her right away and predicted I was about to embarrass him. I did, and we all had lunch together after our games. Lovely person.
Today, at Dundonald Golf Course, we quickly found Cheyenne and quietly followed her around the course. Her game was so full of drama that we just stayed with her. I ducked aside to reschedule our game for the day so we could stay here. I also saw Georgia Hall tee off and knew that Minjee Lee and Lydia Ko (Gold medal winner) were both on the course, but we continued as Cheyenne’s only gallery for most of the day. She played -1 yesterday and -1 today. Very steady and in the wind today and rain yesterday, she was tied for 6th! The wind was blowing fairly hard, so judging the pushback and the carry took special knowledge. These women had it. And after the third required ruling, I got to chat with the official about a special ruling situation I was familiar with. It was also great fun to walk a course that we’ve played three times and remember where we put our shots in comparison—no comparison. I think another side perk of watching pros is to realize that Yes! We can all get from under that tree to where you over-hit it, then a chip too short onto the green, and still make par!
After the game, Cheyenne thanked us for coming— short chat. We were freezing in this lovely summer weather (51 degrees with wind chill) and hungry. The Titleist ball guys suggested that we eat at Scots Restaurant right on the water. Great views and delicious menu: Cullen Skink, Fish and Chips, and Scallops washed down with a couple of half pints. Yum.
And good night.
