This tournament goes down in the annals for a number of reasons: we settled on a 36-hole tournament format; the course was probably the longest and most difficult course we have played; it witnessed almost certainly the best shot played so far in the entire history of TML (a 5-wood to 3 feet by Rolfey on the 36th hole to set up a 4 point birdie); the first ever play-off (between Bryn and Rolfey); and the first and only first-time/rookie winner (Rolfey with a solid 4 net 3 on the first play-off hole).

 

Yes, Gaz won the first outing but that’s not quite the same is it, so get back in your box. It was also the first time that Richie actually managed to turn up, even if it was half-way through the practice round on Carnoustie’s 9-hole course. The amiable and laid-back “Bads” also joined us for the first time. Rolfey particularly enjoyed the number of questions Bads asked him.

We stayed at the Golf Course Hotel which overlooked the 1st and 18th holes. We had an eventful Saturday night out in Dundee, which turned out to be a lively place with lots of welcoming smiley Scottish faces. This was the famous ‘Night of the Flight of the Buddhas’ (positioned as it was on a public stairwell in a busy nightclub) and the night that Richie decided to try Andy’s nicotine gum (resulting in him turning puce and announcing his arrival by stepping from the minibus and projectile vomiting 4 or 5 purple ciders). When we got home in the early hours a few members decided to have another crack at the golf course in the moonlight. If memory serves, Beast was level par after 5
holes!

Scores:
Sadly the scores were lost when the Blue Book was stolen on the way to Sligo in 2017. What is
known is that Bryn led by 4 points after the first round but was gradually reeled in by Rolfey with a
wonderfully strong finish. His 5-wood on the 36th hole (probably the hardest 18th hole on The Open
rota) had to be seen to be believed.