I'm Halfway There - Hooray!

Fantastic! — I'm at the halfway mark in both money raised and courses completed. Very tired but still excited. I played 36 holes yesterday (See Crail below) so that I could have a day of rest. Today is Palm Sunday and it was lovely to go to The Holy Trinity Church this morning and share worship and say a huge thanks for the last two weeks.

Day 9 – The New Course

Monday morning dawned sunny and glorious a light haze with the unseasonable warmth. Scotland has recorded the highest March temperature on record, 24 degrees C (75 F) in Aboyne.

I played by myself—a luxurious indulgence on the amazing New Course at St Andrews. It runs alongside The Old Course and many say it is just as fine. I can’t yet make that comparison as, despite being born here, I have never played a full round on either course. (I do admit to playing a few holes on a summer evening.)

Today I fell in love with the New Course despite the fierce gorse blooming in the spring warmth.

Day 10 – Anstruther Golf Club

Another sunny day. I am so lucky! Today I have two companions who have donated their green fees to Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Mrs. Kirsteen Barker and Mrs. Gillian Sanderson. It was the opening Ladies Day for the Anstruther Golf Club so we followed their matches. We had a very warm reception and a very generous donation contributed by the golf club members.

It is a fun little nine holes with spectacular views, including a very famous par 3 fifth hole called The Rockies. The trick is to keep off the rocks and the beach. The photo on the right shows the war memorial at the back of second green.

Day 11 – Cupar Golf Club

Yes this is Scotland! And again we have a beautiful day. Cupar is another little gem of nine holes tended by a single greenskeeper and in wonderful condition.

I am accompanied by Heidi Orr who has made a donation to play today, which is great, because this is really what my challenge is all about.

We were truly spoilt as we had the entire course to ourselves. We were met and sent on our way by Jean Lawson, Ladies Vice-Captain, a truly remarkable little lady of 75 who didn’t look a day over 55. (I found out later she had had two knee replacements which is even more remarkable as in her words, “Cupar is  a course on a hill.”) Many jokes are made about the fact that you need your "haggis" legs one shorter than the other when you are playing. See the photo and judge for yourself — It shows me on the sixth hole which is at the summit before playing the last three home. It is great fun. You have to account for a forty yard lateral roll on some drives, which is tricky because there are trees lining the fairways.

Day 12 – Drumoig Golf Club

Windy and sunny again. I say this first because it is so unusual for this time of year. I don’t like to tempt fate but it has been twelve days on the golf course and I have been in short sleeves and not wet!

Drumoig is a new course created in 20th Century. It is a long parkland course with water hazards in the shape of ponds. New to me but I liked it.

My legs were feeling it a little so I took my first buggy. I joined up with a fellow single, Alan, yet another golfer in his early seventies who was extremely sprite. (Is their secret golf?)

Day 13 – Earlsferry Links

An historic little course named after James Braid in Elie. For me a delight. I played nine holes as a single in fresh wind and sun.

Day 14 – Crail, Balcomie Links & Craighead Links (36 holes today)

The Crail Golfing Society was founded in 1786 and is the 7th oldest golf club in the world. They are home to the Balcomie course, laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895 and the newer Craighead Links which opened in 1998.

I played both in one day. Balcomie in the morning in a cold easterly wind which I found to be a real test. My round was followed by a lovely lunch in the new clubhouse which has spectacular views of the sea and the coastline.

In the afternoon I had the company of three gentleman, Alan, Barry and David, who had donated to play. I admit to being cold and tired so was very glad of their support. I was delighted to shake hands on the 18th knowing that I had reached the halfway mark—windburned, sunburned, and with a day of rest to look forward to.

The next fifteen rounds are to come and as I write this the weather forecast is for snow. I will keep you posted on my progress. My fingers are crossed that after this fantastic start I hope my challenge doesn’t become unstuck by frost closures to the golf courses.

The best bit though is that I have also reached halfway to my target of raising £3,000 for the 30th Anniversary of Down’s Syndrome Scotland. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my challenge. I know it will do much good.

Yours, a happy girl,
Lesley