Author: Mark Upfold

Days 2-4

Friday early start to complete round one, and then an early close as a result of poor light.

Saturday- the best day, sunshine with wind. I moved around the 15th green and 16th tee box early morning, and then back to the 10th tee box until after lunch. Final position for the day, under the trees at the 16th green.

Sunday- Rain predicted for the afternoon. My goodness, the weather man got that one wrong. I decided to go out early with Charl Swartzel and Aaron Cockerill from Canada. The plan was to marshall them for the 18 holes and then pick up the later tee off groups, and finish another 18 holes. Well we got to the 6th, and the heavens opened, and the rest is history. Play abandoned. A huge effort by the course staff to get the 18th hole playable for the play off between Laurie Canter from England and South Africa’s own, Dylan Naidoo who won the tournament, becoming the first South African of colour to win this prestegious tournament.

Thursday 27th February 2025- Durban Country Club

The 18th time the S A Open is being held at this prestige Durban venue. And guess who is a marshall for the next 4 days.

More to follow over the next few days. Unfortunately some more rain is predicted.

Wimpy and Badger golf groups.

Day1- Thursday. Windsor golf course, Durban

Day2 – Port Shepstone

Port Shepstone- True to its tradition, the back nine was windy.

Day3- Southbroom

Paradise Holiday chalets- Our accommodation on Friday and Saturday.

Day4- Scottburgh

All in all, a very enjoyable 4 days of golf, fun, food , drink and friendships.

Mosta festa- Assumption of Mary, a National holiday last Thursday in all Catholic countries world wide. It used to be a National holiday in South Africa, but abolished in 1994.

Much pomp and ceremony, religious symbols, marching band, flags and fireworks.

Golfari highlight of the tour- St ANDREWS OLD COURSE.

As Golfari is primary a golf site incorporating travel, what better way to celebrate golf but at the home of golf- St Andrews Old course. Golf has been played on the hallowed turf for over 600 years. It is a Links course with double fairways, double greens and challenging deep pot bunkers.

The Links at St Andrews area, is also home to seven(7) other courses, New Course, Jubilee, Eden to name a few. Cost for South Africans is 320 pounds or R7381pp. Getting a game is via a ballot eg place your name in before 2pm on Monday and if lucky you get a tee off time for play on Wednesday.

An absolute pleasure walking where the current and past heroes have tread. A bucket list moment to cherish a lifetime.

SCOTLAND – Day 3-5

I had visited the Falkirk Wheel in 2013, was amazed at the technology and took photos. Now in 2024, booked a ride in the canal boat and experienced the thrill of the ride relating to Archimedes theory of water displacement.

Kelpies- the largest equine sculptures in the world. Scottish meaning of heifer or colt. Kelpies are said to haunt rivers and streams, usually in the shape of a horse(too much White Horse whiskey I think)

Our B&B at Meigle in the Scottish midlands.

SCOTLAND days 1 and 2

Leaving Ireland via the Ferry (Stenna Lines) and the a bus(coach) to Glasgow.

George square- termed the city centre.

A walk with Guru Free walk tours around Glasgow. Have always said there are 2 ways to see British and European cities. 1. Hop on Hop off 2. Free walk tours. As cars are not allowed in major cities, Hop on, also in parts, The Guru Free Walk Tours( with a tip at the end ) are by far the best way to get local knowledge.

When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, in 1993 Glasgow who had previously given him the freedom of the city, was the first overseas city he visited, too thousands of people, in the pouring rain.

IRELAND and NORTHERN IRELAND

No need for any stories, all anecdotes are on the “Tripping the Isles” WhatsApp and Face Book. Here is a photo collage of the two very different cities.

Northern Ireland

The Belfast city hall has been replicated to the exact design in Durban.

The TITANIC tour is well worth a visit and worth every Pound spent.

The last 2 photos are of the Belmont arena. We went to watch a family friend Tyron Koen who is the SA overseas professional playing for the All Ireland T20 champs CIYMS. Unfortunately they lost the semi final to Lisburn by 4 wickets.

Next posting will come from SCOTLAND.

Ross Castle on Lough Leane, is a 15th century tower house.

Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland.

Love the sign on one outlet. Killarney Bar.

The highlight for Golfari fans. Killarney has 2 brilliant courses, with Loch Leane part of both courses. Although mainly flat, with narrow fairways and trees on either side. Very well manicured, and on the Wednesday that we were there, well supported.

Killeen course has hosted the IRISH OPEN on 4 separate occasions and sister course Mahony Point, the Woman’s Irish Open in 2003.

Check out the prices to play a game as an International guest. That is 2 games with a cart if one went to Sun City.

Galway to Cliffs of Moher. Travels along the Wild Atlantic way, 120kms down to 100kmph, through villages at60 and 50kmph. Funny going past houses with gates or drive ways just off the road, and cars go flying past at 80kmph. Could be very dangerous if implemented in SA.

264kms travelled during the day. At the Cliffs there were more than 1000 people at 12 Euro each, and the multitude of different languages, proving that Ireland is definitely attracting tourists.