Well, you cannot win at golf all of the time. That is a given in the laws of mankind. However, must you finish LAST after just having won. We shall see.

We teed off this morning for our 9:30 time on the Old Course with Jane and David Bird from Grand Cayman and Ann ? and Barry Kinnes both Scots. It was horrible down on the first tee.



When we first got down to the R&A Clubhouse we were already so cold from the wind. Dick had me go back to the flat to get rain pants, just to give us the additional warmth.

Dick played horribly. I was not better. I think Dick only made two shots that were airborn and good. Perhaps it was that he had on so many clothes and that he never was able to warm up. Whatever...it was just awful and we (at last check in the clubhouse) were dead last (WELL except for a NR). Our total stableford points were 15.

We got to the clubhouse after a 5 on the 4-par 18th hole. Our compatriots went to the cars to store clubs, etc. and Dick checked that we needed for him to be in coat and tie. So we left to change in the flat. By the time we got back to the clubhouse, our partners in play were already at lunch and we would have to wait for a table for two. Forget it. It was already 2:30.

So we just went to the Long Room and had a drink. On the end table were two bottles of scotch. The single malt Speyside and the single malt Islay. Emma Bennetts (sp) had a hole in one on the 11th hole. She is an 8-handicap and captain of the University at Aberdeen. It was her first hole in one. We congratulated her.

While we had some of the whiskeys, Dick and I chatted about last night's annual dinner. He had such a good time. He was seated at table "U" and so just in the second row and a good seat to hear and see all of the activities. He shared with me that the waiters come out with the first course to be served following all of the captains in their red suits who are seated at the head table. Dick said that the waiters are all dressed in white shirts, coats and ties and black pants. He said they "march step" behind the captains and when the captains sit at their table...all our served simultaneously. He said that the staff serves each table that way. Classy.


This morning I got to see his Brazil Nut Trophy. It is presented in this lovely box. The inside of the silkbox it says "By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, Jewellers G. Collins & Sons, Ltd. Incorporating H. Collins (Crown Jewellery) Royal Turnbridge Wells.

This is the trophy. It is a "quasch"...sort of pronounced in celtic as "quack". It is the traditional drinking cup that each scottish household would have to share the drink with guests. Inside the middle is engraved the logo of the R&A, atop "The Brazil Nut" and below "2010".

When we had been in Pittlochry I had expressed an interest in purchasing a quasch, but like who needs more stuff at our age. BUT NOW...we have one. I don't know however if I will allow anyone to drink out of it!


Dick with his trophy!

Well you can't win every day and you cannot expect the conditions to be always good. But we met some wonderful people today and have survived the cold conditions. So "Cheers to Us. Who's like Us! Dang few, and they's a daid" as the Scots would say