Full of memories!

I had to delve back into the old photo albums for this historic pic today.  I was inspired to find it as I've been watching a lot of The Open Golf that's currently being played at Royal Port Rush in Northern Ireland.  This photo was taken by an Irish friend Colin Boyd as his wife Dorothy watches me tee up on one of the holes on the famous golf course.  We had spent the day driving up to Port Rush and enjoying the spectacular views as we drove up the Antrim coastline.  I was delighted to have the opportunity to play a couple of holes, although as you can see we didn't have a lot of choice of clubs :)  I remember vividly thinking at the time.....how on earth would you ever be able to hit a shot if you went off the fairway.  Well if you've been watching the golf this weekend you're probably wondering the same thing.  

I travelled to Northern Ireland a couple of times in 1977 to do coaching clinics for the squash association.  I fell in love with the people and the "Soda and Potato Bread" !!  Colin was the Doctor in Hillsborough just outside of Belfast and I believe he was a third generation of doctor from his family in the village.  They were very hospitable people and Dorothy used to assure me that despite the troubles in Northern Ireland I would be quite safe staying at their house.  That was until the second visit when she had to sheepishly admit that the hotel behind them had been bombed.  Thanks a lot for telling me now Dorothy :))  I have such fond memories of my trips to Ireland and this photo just brought back so many of those great moments for me.