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Stableford at Wallasey

July 18, 2012
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In 1930 Bobby Jones won the qualification tournament for the British Open at Wallasey by shooting a 77. He won The Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool. He won the Grand Slam. As usual this week the members give us a serious warning about the rough before we go out. A tough opening stretch among the […]

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Finding Religion at Hoylake

July 17, 2012
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Wirral. Hoylake. Royal Liverpool. Just as we have all week, we are warned about the rough by the members, the Club starter and the neighbouring pro. The grass is high. Wonderfully high. It’s like having the rolling sea around us as we make our way to the 2nd hole. We see some flags sticking up […]

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Conwy – Return Ticket, Please

July 16, 2012
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We head off to Wales to play Conwy, which was founded by a number of members from Royal Liverpool in 1890. We wait for our tee-off time in the bar while it pours down outside. One after the other the members come in after the 10th hole and pronounce judgement on the day’s indescribable weather.   […]

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Birkdale with the Pros

July 15, 2012
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“The rough is the worst for 30 years,” we hear on the putting green. At the same time Bubba Watson and Jeff Ogilvy drive off from the 1st – a friendly practice round before the Open. An hour later it’s time for LINKS75. “Are you Bill Haas?”. We look dumbfounded when his caddie for the […]

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Royal St David’s – Par 69

June 4, 2012
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Following on from three ongoing competitions, one of which has been played over 100 times, we drive off the first tee. In the bar – where else? – at Aberdovey we have heard it said, “the par 4s are long enough to cover Greece’s debts”, and “the rough is tough enough.” We keep strictly to […]

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Pennard in the Mist

June 3, 2012
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After the sun comes the rain. Nature’s elements come into their own at Pennard. The fairways are yellow and hard as stone. “When you thought you have hit the perfect drive – it suddenly bounces off”, says the waitress that serves us lunch in the bar. Just as we are about to start the air […]

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Dinbych-y-pysgod

June 3, 2012
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We peer into a black and white screen, just like Swedish television 1973, before we drive over the 1st hole’s marker post at Tenby Golf Club. The 3rd is an amazingly difficult par 4 that demands inbred knowledge of how to play an approach to a green with steep slopes on both sides. The 4th- […]

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Rain and Wind at Aberdovey

June 3, 2012
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In the pro-shop the telephone rings hot as members cancel their tee-off times.   We buy sou’westers, put on our rain gear and empty our bags of everything except clubs and balls.  Aberdovey is imbedded in a fantastic landscape of sand dunes, with one massive, final dune protecting it from the raging sea. A wonderful links […]

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