In 1995, my wife Mary surprised me with trip to Scotland for my 50th birthday. We had only reserved two places, one being the "Old Course at St. Andrews", which had to be booked 1 year in advance, and the other being "Turnbury", which had just hosted the "1995 British Open" one month prior to us playing it.

We arrived at 10p.m. our time, 5 a.m. Scotland time, and rented a car for two plus weeks road trip. We had not reserved lodging except at "Turnbury". Once we got our car, I figured it was a good time to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road from the right hand side of the car.

Being as it was 6 a.m., I figured it was relatively safe, as people were still sleeping. It took only 1/2 hour for me to wipe out the passenger mirror, and lose a hubcap. If you can picture yourself in the passenger's seat with cars coming at you at a rapid pace, getting within two feet from your door, one tends to move out of the way. That should explain the mirror and hubcap, if you get my drift, not to mention my wife being doubled over with a side ache from laughing so hard. Anyway, after getting the driving down, we proceeded to call a golf course,"Troon", for a tee time. The accommodated us, and arranged a tee time.

After teeing off, and playing 4 holes, my wife's sweater fell off the "Trollie" ( Handcart ). There were two groups of Scots playing behind us. They saw Mary's sweater fall and kindly returned it to us on the next tee. At that time, they said "Aye Mate", see yer' playing from the "Metals"! Puzzled I said ...."Metals"! Aye,... those are the "Championship Tees" they said. I replyed that I always play from the back tees. "Aye", they said....Yer' only allowed to play from them in a "Championship Match". I apologized and said that I did not know that playing the tips was not allowed, and would be more than happy to move up to the regular tees, as I did not want to offend anyone or break any rules. They said, "Heavens No Man", "Let us see what kind of stuff yer' made of". I said....being as it is playing slow out here, would you like to join us? They said "No Laddie", you just have a good game, and we will just observe. I thanked them again for being so kind ,and returning Mary's sweater.

When we completed the round, we went into the pub at the clubhouse, where the eight Scots were indulging in a "Tenant's Lager", ( A local beer with about a 10% alcohol content). I went over and ask if we buy them a round ,as they were so nice to us. They replied "What a couple of Nice Yanks". They accepted and invited us to join them at their table.

They ask if ...."We were on Holiday"? I looked puzzled ,and said.... "Holiday"? Oh yes, we forgot," Yer' Yanks". Are you here on "Vacation"? We said "Yes". They asked if we were at the end of our "Holiday"? We said "No", we just arrived. They asked our plans. We told them that we were going to spend a little over a week in Scotland , Golfing, then go to Ireland and golf. The said ....."NO YER NOT"! I said....we're not! They said "NO"! "We are going to show you Scotland the way it is meant to be seen and experienced, and that is on a local level". My wife and myself looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and said "Why Not". We asked them why they would do this for two people they did not know and had just met? "They said...."Because yer' a couple of "Sweet Ass Yanks, and we like you".

After buying them a round, the Scots refused to let us buy another. Instead, all eight Scots insisted on buying a round. After getting us totally wasted so that we did not know what time zone we were in, they asked if we had lodging. I said "No", and would be lucky if I could find our car, which was only a pitching wedge from the clubhouse pub. One of the Scots...."Jimmy Haddow", excused himself, and a few minutes later came back and informed us that he had acquired lodging for us at a B&B just across the street from the course.

We agreed to meet the next morning at the course for a match with them on the "Lockgreen Course". We thanked them and said good night.

The following two weeks were the "Best two weeks of our lives". We lived with them, "pub crawled", golfed, and were shown the utmost hospitality that we can ever remember. We played in their yearly tournament that "The Boys", as they are called said is equal to "The British Open". They took us to a course called "Machrinish, & Dunaverty", located in "Campbeltown", about four hours out of "Glasgow, Scotland". You can see Ireland from these courses. They are two very difficult courses, located right on the ocean,(as most of the Scottish courses are). The wind is "Always" very strong, blowing between 40 - to 60+ mph. I placed third in the two day tournament. After the tournament, we had to leave to go play golf at "St. Andrews", and then "Turnbury. When we got back to Glasgow, a few days later, we played "Royal Troon", then we joined up with "The Boys" again. They showed us all the best that Scotland offers.

On the day before we were to leave, they took us to "finleys",(a pub that has been there since the late 1800's, and remains the same today), and a pub down the street that only locals patronize. There is a cartoonist that draws characters of the locals who patronize the pub on a local basis, as well as celebrities who have visited it. The Scots made arrangements to have the cartoonist sketch my wife and I, and for the heavy weight champion boxer from Scotland to meet us. Sports celebrities in Scotland feel right at home with locals, and will join you ,as we found out. We also met "Gaserhauf", "Gasser", to the locals, who is the #1 player for the "Glasgow Rangers Soccer Team".

After giving us one going away party that we will never forget, a "Bout", (pronounced "boot"), (Cab), was called so we could go to our hotel. Upon leaving the pub, all the Scots lined up outside on each side of the front door, with their arms extended and crossed like military rifles, and sung the "Scottish Farewell Song" to us as we entered the "Bout". "We could not hold back the tears". They all gave us a hug and said, ''This is not a good bye ,but temporary farewell until our paths cross again, my dear friends". They said, "You will be back.....Won't You?" I said "Yes"....I have to ''Win The Cup".

'Our experience can only be described as "A Gift From God". This is something that one can only dream might happen. If it weren't for my wife's persistence about taking me to my life long dream---"SCOTLAND, The Home Of Golf", none of this would have ever happened.

The following year, I went back with two friends, Bill Wardian, and Gary Lowe, ( a guys golfing holiday). The guys were treated to the same Scottish hospitality that I had told them about and could expect. We were picked up at the airport by "Jimmy Haddow "and the boys , where we made our 4 hour trek to Campbeltown for the boys "British Open Tournament". When we arrived , we went to Macrhinish for a two day tournament, and "Dunaverty" for a one day tournament. I won the cup , and total score for the two day tournament at Machrinish, and Jim Thompson won overall honors ,and the cup for total score for all three days.

I still keep in touch with the boys, but my wife and myself still have serious "Scottish Withdrawals". What made the trip so special, if it were to be summed up in two words would be very simply put........ '"THE PEOPLE"! If you really love golf, you owe it to yourself to go to "Scotland". You will never think of, or look at golf the same way again. If you decide to go, I will be more than happy to give you "Jimmy Haddows number, as he sets up golf "Holidays" (Vacations). Hopefully you to can experience "THE REAL SCOTLAND".

PS. Be sure to tell Jimmy Haddow the two yanks, Jack & Mary, from America referred you, and do say hello.

Jack Bryant