Posted on: 29 July
Over the last 7 weeks I’ve been loading up my passport with immigration stamps. I’ve played golf in two different continents visiting 6 different countries. Just as well I don’t mind airports, airplane food and sleeping in different beds. I don’t profess to love it but it’s all part of the business of being a professional golfer.
In early June it was time to head to Greece for the next stop on the European Legends Tour. The golf tournament was in a beautiful part of Greece on the Costa Navarino coast. I took the opportunity to be a loopy tourist for a couple of days, taking in the sights of Athens. Well worth the effort. The golf, though not stunning, was solid and there was a lot of positives to take to the next event.
The following week we returned to Hanbury Manor, just north of London, for an event with a difference. It has been over 30 years since I’ve played a matchplay event and it was a lot of fun to play that format again. Though for us “old boys” playing potentially 6 rounds of golf in 4 days the feelings of fun and enthusiasm are replaced with creaking bones and aching muscles. I made it all the way to the quarter finals so not a bad event and not too taxing on the body.
From England to Ireland and a return to Seapoint Links GC. About 1 hour from Dublin airport, it’s an easy venue to get to and as you would expect in Ireland it’s a wonderful links course. With any links course, the weather can play havoc with your game. Luckily it wasn’t too bad for us. Overall, I played nicely and it was a good lead in to next week’s event.
From Dublin I headed to Newport, Rhode Island via Heathrow and Boston for the US Senior Open. Believe it or not this was my first USGA event. I’ve tried a few times to qualify for the US Open but never quite made it so I was eagerly looking forward to this event. The venue, Newport Country Club, is one of the oldest clubs in the US and it’s a great golf course. All the pros were well looked after and needless to say I enjoyed every moment of the event. I played a solid event and was able to finish my round on Sunday playing alongside Hall of Famers Jim Furyk and Darren Clarke. We raced up the 18th hole faster Usain Bolt to make sure we finished before what turned out to be an overnight weather delay. We were one of only 3 groups that didn’t have to come back the next day.
After flying out of Boston on Sunday night there was time to rest up and do some washing before the next event in Switzerland. I decided to take my time and drive to this event stopping off in Geneva, Bern, Zürich and Lyon to see some of the amazing sights in Europe. Bad Ragaz GC has been on the Legends European schedule for many years. Nestled amongst the mountains with amazing views and superb hospitality, it is a favourite amongst the players.
So that is it. I am back in France getting ready to for the next lot of events which include the Senior British Open, the European Senior PGA and a trip to Zambia. The travel never stops but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
