"There's no pretence. That's what I love most about the game over here. 'Let's go play.'"
John Huggan talks to Tom Watson about the Open, Scotland and how he loves the more respectful youth of Scotland.
Indeed, it wasn't until 1981 – by which time he had won three Opens in Scotland – that Watson, finally saw the light, courtesy of his close friend, Sandy Tatum, a former president of the United States Golf Association.
"Although I'm a Yank and always will be, I clearly love being in Scotland," says Watson. "And I clearly love links golf. And I love playing links golf with people who love it. It was Sandy who first got me feeling that way, though. Just before the Open at Sandwich in '81 I played Ballybunion in Ireland (where he was club captain in 2000] for the first time. Then we went to Prestwick, Troon and up to Royal Dornoch. Playing those courses was the beginning of me understanding what it was all about. I wasn't even playing particularly well at that time, but it all gave me a new appreciation. Seeing links golf through Sandy's eyes was a learning experience for me. To that extent, I will always be grateful to him."
And...
That, however, is just about as close as Watson gets to grumpiness when in these parts. The rest of his time here is spent wallowing in something not far removed from utter contentment. This is a man who, in so many ways, fits right into our environment. Ask him what he enjoys most about Scotland and a lengthy list spills haphazardly from his lips.
"I like the nature of the people," he says. "I like the way golf is played. I haven't driven for a few years, but I feel comfortable on the left side. And yes, I've queued for fish and chips. I love haggis, too. But grouse is a different story! I play fast; the Scots play fast. 'Let's get on with it.' There's no pretence. That's what I love most about the game over here. 'Let's go play.'"
Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Reader Comments (10)
I was at my dad's club, wearing cargo shorts, eating a sandwich outside the pro shop, waiting to tee off one day. All was fine, until my dad goes inside to get some tees, at which time the head pro mentions that i wasn't aloud to play in cargo shorts. The head pro was too lazy to come outside to enforce the rule, but gladly exercised his fashion authority once my dad walked back inside. A double standard of upholding rules...over a pair of shorts that had two too many pockets - talk about pretense.
The head pro wouldn't even make an exception for just one round (on a non-busy day). I had to then tell him that i thought "if it's good enough for Obama, it's good enough for America." I guess i was wrong.
Damn golf clubs. Nice courses, lame people!
The writer (it may have been Sandy Tatum) gives a wonderful description of their car arriving on some windswept links at 6pm on a Sunday evening in the Irish summer. Despite their efforts to keep the trip a private and quiet thing, word had got out and there were 2,000 people around the tee, waiting for the Open champion to tee off.
The Club Captain was waiting on the tee with a tray and glasses. A wee nip and they were off.
How good is that!
Kind of makes me want to get dressed to play this game, out of respect.
Then, to the delight of my cousin and with a wicked grin, she says, "well, go on then - but you'll have to play off the lady's tees". Which I did... for one hole. I'll never forget that lady. She made my day and gave me a stupid story to repeat for years.
Name one equivalent golf club in the US with a similar policy.
Maybe once upon a time , it was all classes that played , but these last few years , the game has just gotten too expensive for the working man , and many have given being a member at any club , or have given up the game all together .
Even Monifieth that Mr Watson mentions a lot , are struggling for members , and the local society clubhouses are amalgamating .
This quaint olde idea of what Scottish golf is like , is dying , if it hasnt died already .
Royal Aberdeen ? , one of the most snobbish and unwelcomening courses that exist in Scotland !
for example, watson's stories feature nice things happening to watson that are not likely to happen to anyone else. i think we can agree that you or i are unlikely to be greeted at the first tee with a tray of drinks by the captain if whatever club we are lucky enough to play in the old country. watson also mentions the pace of play as an example of lack of pretense, but nowhere does he mention that his access to these courses as an example of the lack of pretense thing he likes best about scottish golf.