Meet Bob Thukral…whose first love is golf. He travels every year with a bunch of friends to play golf. A couple of year ago it was Hilton Head, year before last Bob was following all the action at the Ryder Cup in Medinah Country Club Chicago – the one where Rory nearly missed his tee time and of course Bob’s been to The Masters. He knows his golf and he knows his wine. Starting today Bob will blog on golfingindian.com – follow him across Scotland’s best golf courses
May 26, 2014. Jubilee Course, St. Andrews Day 3, woke up, shall be say, a wee bit sore, a wee bit jet lagged. But bubbling with anticipation and exciting. Today were heading to play the jubilee course at St. Andrews ( there are 7 courses here). As we crossed the 18 th fairway of the old course to walk to the club house, my mind wandered to the amazing history of these hallowed grounds. This is where it all started. A game that has obsessed me and countless others. A stick and a ball and you. Yep this is where the first putt was ever made. And here I was, a hack golfer in my rain gear munching on a nutrition bar walking into the club house. After a few practice putts, we were ready to tee off. It was cloudy and windy but the rain gods were obliging. What a course… As we walked the first 9, the town of St. Andrews drifted away in its panoramic grandeur. They whole experience was spiritual. To walk in the footsteps of bobby jones and soak in the views the ocean was breathtaking. The back 9 were certainly more challenging but still a fulfilling morning. After a quick sandwich we headed to kingmarnock golf course. A turn of the century 9 hole course where we got to play with clubs and balls from that era. Hickory shafts, club heads without grooves. It was a total blast. And the views weren’t too bad either.. Rolling hills with grazing sheep, a small picturesque town, twelve guys hitting clubs made over a 100 years ago and off course some beer and scotch at hand. The days ends with some lager, and some great appetizers that my friend roger ordered, overlooking the 18th green of the old course, the Royal and Ancient club and the North Sea.. La dolce vita!
May 25, 2014. Edinburgh Sleepless 24 hours but hey who cares. We arrived at Edinburgh via Dublin. Always nice to be in dublin even if brief stop for a plane change.. Most importantly our clubs arrived safely. At the airport we are reviewed by John boyne, professional caddy at St. Andrews and also runs a company to organize golf tours. We are driven straight to Kingsbarns Golf Club. Stunning views across the ocean. A warm shower and a pint of jäger is just about enough to refresh us after the flight across the Atlantic. I was so nervous as I teed up at hole number 1. Lucky for me I crushed my drive dead center ( won’t share details about what I did on the back nine). My caddie Will just graduated from the university of St. Andrews. Gave me some great reads on putts. It was an tiring but exhilarating day. The views, the golf, the company was exhilarating. The night ended with beer and fish and chips at a local pub in St. Andrews watching the champions league final between real and athletico. What a day…
May 23rd, 2014. O’hare, Chicago The trip of a lifetime begins. Twelve guys twelve days twelve rounds of golf… In the birthplace of golf.. Scotland. It really is a pilgrimage of sorts. One year in the making. My golf guru Aaron Shiels has meticulously planned of what promises to be an incredible experience. Drive to O’hare was smooth, check in at the Aer Lingus counter without any excitement. Now enjoying a margarita at frontera grille at terminal five. Next stop, Edinburgh via Dublin. Hope to snooze a bit on the plane and be ready and refreshed to play Kingsbarns links Saturday afternoon. More from me as we go through the journey. Cheers!
