American in Spain

Kingdom of Fife Championship - Scotland 2005 - Part 7 of 7

May 18, 2011
Balcomie Links

In June, 2011, I'm going on a golf vacation to Ireland with three of my best friends, Paul (my father), Jeff, and Jacob. Six years ago, we took a similar golf vacation to Scotland. At the time, I posted photos and commentary to a website that predated this blog. In preparation for our trip this year, I'm re-posting my commentary on that trip in October 2005.

On Friday, October 14, 2005, we played the final round of the Kingdom of Fife Championship at Balcomie Links, part of the Crail Golfing Society.

I was 6 strokes ahead going into the final round, and won by 9 strokes by the end. I had the best three consecutive holes of my life: birdie, birdie, out-of-bounds bogey.

Paul practices some drives on the driving range.

Another angle of Paul's swing.

Jacob Practices Jacob Practices

If it were a fashion or style tournament, Jacob would have won hands-down.

Balcomie Links

Before the round on the 110-year-old course.

Balcomie Links

Pretty beautiful.

Jacob at Balcomie Links

Jacob's enjoying his last round in Scotland.

Erik at Balcomie Links

Erik too!

Balcomie Links

The first hole is called "Boathouse" because the green is right next to the boathouse.

Jacob at Balcomie Links

Smack it, Jake!

Jacob at Balcomie Links

We can see from the horizon that Jacob has not quite brought the club back to parallel.

Balcomie Links Pub View

How's this for a view to enjoy while eating your lunch?

Balcomie Links

The view from the clubhouse.

Balcomie Links

Another view from the clubhouse window.

A beer at Balcomie Links

Jeff and Paul celebrate a successful tournament.

Jacob and trophies

Jacob admires the shiny objects.

The Captain's Chair

The Captain's Chair.

The Captain's Chair

This chair is reserved for the Captain of the Crail Golfing Society. Please do not sit on the Captain's Chair.

Back in Anstruther, we have the final awards ceremony for the 2005 Kingdom of Fife Championship.

Kingdom of Fife: Fourth Place

Jacob took fourth place with 535 strokes, and received a two-time-zone Walter Hagan watch.

Kingdom of Fife: Fourth Place Kingdom of Fife: Fourth Place Kingdom of Fife: Third Place

Paul took third place with 485 strokes, and received a lead crystal, golf-ball-shaped, desk clock.

Kingdom of Fife: Third Place Kingdom of Fife: Third Place Kingdom of Fife: Second Place

Jeff took second place with 483 strokes, and received a St. Andrews hip flask.

Kingdom of Fife: Second Place Kingdom of Fife: Second Place

And the winner of the Claret Jug, with 474 strokes, the Kingdom of Fife Champion is...

Kingdom of Fife: First Place

Erik Rasmussen!

Kingdom of Fife: First Place Kingdom of Fife: First Place Erik and Claret Jug

Erik licks his lips in preparation for The Kiss.

Erik and Claret Jug

The Kiss.

Erik and Claret Jug

The Baby.

Erik and Claret Jug

The Goofy.

Erik and Claret Jug

The Champion!

That night we went for a long walk in search of a new restaurant.

Whale Close

For some reason, this corner looked particularly photogenic at the time.

Photo for the Charlotte Observer

Paul and Jeff pose for their picture that will be in the Charlotte Observer's Travel section. And so concluded a fantastic week of golf and companionship.

On Saturday morning, we got up at 4:45 AM and drove to the Edinburgh airport. My flight was first, and when I went through security and put my stuff through the x-ray machines, the guy watching the x-ray screen said, excitedly, (I kid you not!) "Is that the claret jug?!" I nodded, winked, and smiled. He invited several of his coworkers over to examine the elegant profile of the glowing green image. "Don't see that very often!" he said to me as he turned the conveyor belt back on.