Full tee sheets. Mandated solo riders on power carts. Five and six-some groups. Elbow taps and club clunking after finishing a round. Golf has its traditions and I embrace them. This year’s pandemic onslaught however has forced us to adapt to many changes. I get it and it is necessary for this once in a…
I have noticed recent news coverage about dress code infractions over black socks and hoodies. Private golf clubs (and many public ones) are entitled to create such policies. I like them as I have always felt golf should sit on a higher plane compared to other sports. Getting huffy or expressing outrage on Facebook and…
The pandemic has created a window for an influx of golfers to try this fantastic social spacing sport. The question is whether they are taking lessons, reading about golf’s history, learning clubhouse manners and understanding dress codes. Or, are new golfers more interested in investing time and money to purchase the newest clubs, clothing or…
Have you had the opportunity to take a pleasant walk from your Scottish hotel to a great links course? The experience is a real treat. AJ Capital Partners has been on a recent buying spree and purchased the Rusacks St Andrews, Marine North Berwick and now, the Marine Troon https://ajcpt.com/portfolio. Smart. This developer obviously gets…
“Nice trophy”. “Congratulations on the win”. These are some of the comments made to me by strangers and security officials in Kelowna Airport when I was flying back from BC to my old Ontario stomping grounds to visit family and friends. We call the Sturgeon Head a “major” championship for our gang of close golfing…
Niagara Falls, Ontario. Thompson, Manitoba. Edmonton, Alberta. Langley, BC. These are some of the places from which some of the Loonies hail but all have now settled in the Okanagan. They play their matches at Shannon Lake Golf Course in West Kelowna, BC. The majority are retired older gentlemen. I am not but have been…
I want to thank my English brother-in-law, Steve Bull for bringing this wonderful phrase to my attention. It is a great one to say and live by. When you hit a shot in the middle of the fairway at Carnoustie and the ball takes a wonky bounce and goes into a deep-faced bunker, do you…
Because we don’t have them at home. Or few, if we count Bandon in Oregon or Cabot in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Because we want to test our artistry of a 50 yard putt or punched 5 iron into the wind and through rain. We are spoiled in NA with immaculate course conditions and hitting…
“Have you played at Bandon?” I asked a gent at Reykjavik Airport after seeing the well known puffin logo on his clothing. He answered in the affirmative and wondered if I was going on a Scotland golf trip. I was in fact hosting his group and we laughed about this chance meeting as he is…
This name will mean something to Canadian golfers and those who love golf course architecture https://www.stanleythompson.com. Stanley is a Canadian icon and ranks among the best ever when the golden age of golf course development took place. I enjoyed playing golf with his great nephew Stan in West Kelowna, BC at Shannon Lake. I learned…