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

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.

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

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

Pretty beautiful.

Jacob's enjoying his last round in Scotland.

Erik too!

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

Smack it, Jake!

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

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

The view from the clubhouse.

Another view from the clubhouse window.

Jeff and Paul celebrate a successful tournament.

Jacob admires the shiny objects.

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.

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

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

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

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

Erik Rasmussen!

Erik licks his lips in preparation for The Kiss.

The Kiss.

The Baby.

The Goofy.

The Champion!

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

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

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.