We have a new driver today, Tony, a retired Limey and friend of Iains. It took a while to break the ice, but he turns out to be a good guy with a typical English sense of humor. Big change from Scots Craig & Iain.
Golf today is at the much anticipated Brora Golf Club in Brora, about a 1/2 hour north of Dornoch. Brora was founded in 1891 with James Braid as the course architect.
It’s GREAT! True, down-to-earth links. The course runs along the coast and sits on open grazing land so sheep and cattle wander the fairways. Electric fences surround the greens to keep the critters off putting surfaces.
There are some great local rules; Balls striking the protective fences around the greens may be replayed; Animal droppings may be treated as casual water; tractor tracks along the gate near the 16th fairway is ground under repair; animal hoof marks through the green and within bunkers is ground under repair.
It’s a typical Braid ‘out-and-back’ course. We had winds at our backs for the front nine and strong headwinds on the return. During the round, I was given the best caddy advice ever: “hit whatever you’ve got towards the sheep”. On the 18th approach: “it’s 150 yards to carry the cattle”. Awesome!
> Winner of today’s ‘Four Ball Stroke’ is the team of Bill & Don – each awarded a ‘Champ Mòr’ point.
> Bill took daily honors with a net score of ‘78’
> Best shot of the day goes to Dick with a 40-yd chip in on # 6 and an honorable mention to Don for his 280 yard drive on #8
> Today: lost balls – 3; bunkers – 10
> Group totals for trip: lost balls – 27; bunkers – 46