Sayeed Sanadi is the CEO of Tiger Sports Marketing.
A visit to St Andrews is like a dream come true. And especially so when it all happens with a little luck by chance. Well I had gone for the Times of India Leaders’ Challenge Tour final which was held in London and had stayed back. I had no plans of visiting Scotland. However, I won 250 pounds in the Casino in London and I was on the train to St. Andrews the next evening! At least I knew what I wanted to spend my monies on. So the decision was pretty easy. It’s just that I had not imagined the outcome this way. Neither the money won nor the visit to St Andrew’s.
Mostly we’d all go to St Andrews for a visit. But as I landed up there, I was fascinated to know that indeed there was a tee time available. And now just anywhere but on the Old Course. Surely this was all stuff that I could hardly believe. A pinch to myself now and then did the trick. This was for real. Unfortunate for me, I was wearing a pair of jeans and then I thought I should have gambled a bit more to fund my clothing! Anyway I visited five other courses, roamed about in St Andrews.
And my high point? Of course figuratively and literally was clicking a picture at the Swilcan Bridge (the most photographed hole in the world). Had some fantastic time at the Keys Bar on Market Street where I met a caddy with an Indian connection. This chap had carried the bag of our own pro Gaurav Ghei when he beat Colin Montgomerie in the Alfred Dunhill Cup back in 1996. India had beaten Scotland in a shocking result. If serendipity was a person, surely she was on this trip with me. Everything was scripted to be lucky. And so talking of luck, I also wouldn’t return home without a bottle of Single Malt produced locally at a store. Souvenirs after a part of all trips aren’t they? Additionally for myself and my friends back home, I did buy some Old Course souvenirs including a half-jacket to keep me warm for the Indian winter.
Well 2014 should be good for golf as the Times of India Leaders’ Challenge Tour which did not happen last year will be back, the Audi Quattro Cup and a few reputed ones on the anvil for me. So while it promises to be busy as hell, can’t deny some distractions like St Andrews are most welcome.
