Dornoch Destruction

As Northwesterners, we're used to playing golf in less than perfect conditions. So, on Tuesday, when we teed 'em up at 10:30 a.m., the spitting rain and 30 mile an hour winds didn't dent our enthusiasm. But, the first shot foretold a lot.

Aided by our wonderful caddie, Hamish Sutherland (75 years old), we watched as our 4some mates, Wolfgang and Peter from Munich, led off the round. The 1st hole is a 311 yard par 4, pot bunkers to the left and right of the fairway and then several around the green. I hit a good drive, slightly to the right of the right fairway bunker, about 150 yards!!!! Yikes, the wind!! I rallied for a bump and run par and felt pretty good. Then on to the 160 yard par 3 second, where Hamish advised that we Lay Up!!!! On it went, our foursome sharing and glorying in the rare moments of success (I had 5 pars!) and keeping straight faces as it took 4 swings to get out of bunkers (knowing it could be you in there, next hole!).

Royal Dornoch Golf Course lies right on the sea and with the wind up, the crashing breakers could be heard all over the course. And, once you turned for home, the wind behind you prompted lots of downclubbing (I hit a pitching wedge on a 150 yard par 3; it hit the very front of the green and bounded and rolled off the back, down a hill and into the rough; I PUTTED from the rough, up the 8 foot hill, about 40 yards to the hole and tapped in for par!!! Hamish was impressed!)

So we broke for a quick sandwich after 18 and then just Scott and I headed back out for another 18! No caddies and only the wind and rain to accompany us. And, wouldn't you know, we were the last ones out for the day (teeing off at 4:00) and, no wonder, the weather was deteriorating so rapidly. The rain increased, the wind really howled and the temperature dropped. Soaked clear through, we soldiered on to finish at 7:00 and almost ran to our rooms, happy to "warm things up" with some Glenmorangie 10 year old (boy that tastes good when you can't feel your fingers!).

Finally, a hot shower and a quick hike down the hill to the Sutherland House Restaurant where, after sharing some local gossip with Marge the owner, we devoured venison, pork and a wonderful Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, all washed down by a good Malbec. Back to the Golf Hotel in a driving rain, we finished the day with a Cardhu 10 year old from the Highlands. Wednesday, on north to Brora for 36!

Bruce and Scott