Oh, we were worried about the weather and our ability to endure. We were counting our golf games so far. 11 games in 14 days —and we’ve enjoyed every unique course and friend along the way. Here, the weather report is called “the forecast”—and it hasn’t been good. Every day rain, rain, rain. But truthfully, we just had a couple of showers yesterday and not even a drop today even though it was cold and dreary— like a nice winter day in Pasadena!
Our starting time was for 9:00, but we met Kerr early, got the trolley situation all straightened out—thanks to Kerr’s relative who unknowingly loaned me his trolley— and off we went to the Burnside course, which runs alongside and inside the championship course. We played this course in 2013 on our first visit to Scotland. We didn’t know what we were doing or where we were going. This time it all made sense. In 2013, John got a birdie on #3 and lost lots of balls somewhere after that. The rough was deep and we were always searching for the right green.
This time, with Kerr guiding the way and recognition of where we were in relation to the championship course, we played much better. The downside is that yesterday we were fighting the wind and perhaps got a little dehydrated so we were in top form today, but that’s okay. We hit what good shots we could and urged Kerr on for his match on Sunday. Apparantly, it worked. He played very well and birdied the last hole. We, however, had no birdies and just a few pars. But that’s okay. We were playing in Scotland!
After the game, we went to Kerr’s club and talked about cars, tickets, and brothers. Kerr loved the story about how my brother was once pulled over by an airplane, made friends with the cop who impounded his car, borrowed the impound fee from a complete stranger, and was able to make the car delivery on time, all because of his sincerity, knowledge, and compassion for others. Yep, Martin always makes for a good story!
We met one last time for shopping in the Carnoustie golf shop. Kerr used his tremendous discount to buy a shirt and a hat for John. So there it is until next year!
At dinner, we met a piper and drummer all kilted up for a wedding. They welcomed the guests at the front door, then after the wedding, the whole party went on to the back patio and posed for pictures with the golf course behind. Even the young boys were kilted up or wearing giant thistles on their shirts. It was freezing out and windy, and yet nearly every woman was in a strapless gown and not at all bothered by the cold. The only concession to comfort they made was taking off any high heels and going barefoot instead. It was a very Scottish wedding!
Nice to see a celebration of happiness after such a lovely visit to Carnoustie. Good night.