Arran 1994

Our golf trip this year took us to the Isle of Arran on the Firth of Clyde. Arran is not a big place but it does have 7 golf courses. We were staying in Brodick the 'capital' of the island. It wasn't exactly a bustling metropolis and I think it's fair to say that those in our party who still had the energy and libido for clubs and discos were a bit disappointed by the location. Old jokes about what do you call a sheep tethered to a lampost in Brodick spring to mind!

The golf was pretty spectacular with wonderful sea and mountain views. In some of these pictures Goatfell, the highest mountain on Arran, can be seen in the background. We were there in September and the Society very kindly threw a surprise birthday party for me - I got extremely drunk following a round of golf at the course in Blackwaterfoot. Everybody kindly chipped in(not often that can be said on our golf holiday) and bought me a pole for my golf bag that allows you to fish a ball out of water traps. It may surprise many but I've yet to find a use for it! Never mind, it's the thought that counts.

For most the highlight of the holiday was the trip to Cambletown to play the championship course at Machrihanish, one of the toughest in Scotland (make that the world). We crossed Arran to Lochranza on the west of the island to get a ferry to the Mull of Kintyre. It was extremely scenic and relaxing unlike the drive down Kintyre to Cambletown. Obviously Paul McCartney also got the inspiration for 'The Long and Winding Road' in this part of the world. We stayed the night in Cambletown, the Royal Hotel I think. We all got extremely drunk and personally I can't remember a thing about it. Let me know if you have any stories.

The following day we played Machrihanish and what a course it is. Along with Dornoch it is the toughest I've played and there is little doubt that if it was more accessible it would be a brilliant course to play the Open on. As it was, it completely bamboozled me and a few others. The rough was impenetrable, the wind was blowing, the views were restricted and I had a stinking hangover. The first hole set the scene - a beautiful dog leg created by the Atlantic Ocean lapping onto the beach - I proceeded to fire several balls into the sea, eventually hitting an absolute peach. Unfortunately it was my 7th shot!

After our experience we headed back home and a massive drive it turned out to be. It took ages to get to Glasgow and for most of the squad there was a lengthy journey still to come. Nevertheless it was a great experience - although if I go back to Machrihanish it will have to be on a private jet. How are our lottery numbers doing Keith?

NF