Sunset on the 18th at Doonbeg

I love this picture of some of the boys on the 18th hole at Doonbeg. It was late in the evening--around 9:30 PM, and the beauty of the setting sun reflecting off the sea onto the green takes my breath away. Nelson appears to be contemplating something very serious. Now it could be that he had just missed a putt, or he could be just waiting for their 4th to finally finish putting, or--I'll let you all decide your own interpretation of the picture. Whatever it is--it is beautiful, and I believe it is a good representation of The Boys' entire journey to Ireland. The beauty, the history, the fellowship of the game are all reflected here in the late evening shadows.

Their return Saturday night was smooth and uneventful. Boys, luggage, and clubs all arrived in Myrtle Beach intact and on time. They were all a bit tired, of course, but their wind-burned faces were smiling and happy. I know for Michael it was the trip of a lifetime. They couldn't say enough about the quality of the hotels they stayed in, the kindness and delightful spirit of the Irish people, and most of all the marvelous golf courses. They were blessed with a few days of wonderful weather early in the week, but they also experienced the true blustery winds and rains for which Irish golf is so famous. You know it is said that it only rains twice a year in Ireland: August through April and May through July! But our Wachesaw Warriors are proud to say that they never quit--through howling wind and pelting raindrops. (Except for four who finally gave up the last two holes in the squall at Old Head--but those four shall remain nameless here and their secret is forever safe!)

Michael has the most beautiful pictures documenting each day's golf course and the countryside, including castles and ruins aplenty for me to ogle over! He promises to compile a CD of the very best ones and I'm encouraging him to write a brief commentary for each one. (Do any of you really think Michael could be "brief" about something he is so passionate about?!) But truly, I would love for you all to see them. I'm not sure that any other place could have so much beauty and history as does this Land of the Leprechauns.

Molly and Gabby are coming later this week for a two-week visit, and David is coming to join them next week. We are excited to see at least some of our family, and will be surely posting some pictures of their first visit to South Carolina! I hope you all are keeping up with Chad, Rachel, Jake and Brodie via Rachel's blog. http://kahlercrew.blogspot.com She's got some pretty cute pictures of the boys and their new home in Tucson.

Old Boys at Old Head

Tuesday the boys played Old Head, and Michael reports that their nice weather has definitely left them. The rain and wind could not dampen their thrill of playing this oh-so-famous golf course, however. Located some 8 miles west of Kinsale, Old Head GolfLinks sits on a 220-acre promontory high above the Atlantic. Looking like a swollen thumb jutting out to sea, the promontory is connected to the mainland by a very narrow strip of land that is primarily farmland. I have read often about the mystique and history of Old Head, and was so anxious to hear about their visit there. Michael writes:

I have never seen such a spectacular setting as Old Head. I couldn't begin to describe it in a ten thousand word essay! The day started beautifully, but the weather went downhill quickly. Downhill does not adequately describe it. Wind of 50 knots and rain. We had to finish just to say we did! Barry asked his caddie what he thought when he saw the squall coming across the ocean. His caddie said, "Laddies, in about 10 minutes we are going to receive a severe thrashing". And a thrashing we did indeed receive! I have never seen and certainly never played in anything like that. But that is, after all, part of golf in Ireland.

Pictured here is a great shot of the guys at the historic Stone of Accord at Old Head. Back to them in a minute, but first you all must indulge me while I relate a little history here: The course site at Old Head has so much historical significance, I guess the teacher in me feels compelled to tell you some of it. Old Head of Kinsale is a National Monument and was once a stronghold of the ancient Eireann Celts who gave their name to the country. (Eireann/Ireland--get it?) Remnants of castles and stone circles, as well as churches and dwellings built on the site by monks during Medieval times, are visible throughout the course. Perhaps the most famous relic of note is the afore-mentioned Stone of Accord or Wedding Stone, an upright circular stone with a small hole in the center used for centuries by tradesmen and married couples who would link fingers through the hole signifying the renewal of their contracts.

For years prior to the development of the golf course, the site was usable for little more than sheep and cattle grazing and even then it was scarcely suitable. At the tip of the headland is the lighthouse that presides over the course and lit the way for many seafarers. (I don't know what hole Michael was playing when he shot that photo, but you can see the lighthouse in the distance.) The waters just off shore bear witness to the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 when the Spanish Armada sailed in to help the Irish fight off the invading British warships. Here also was where a German U-Boat sank the Lusitania in 1915, bringing the United States into the first World War. I would love to walk among the many ghosts haunting those rocky ledges and cliffs.

Ok, so you've all had your History lesson for the day! Back to the Golf. Michael reports that Wednesday they played Dooks, and it is the first negative thing I have heard from them. ...

We played Dooks yesterday...a very nice golf course and once again the weather was horrible. Strong winds and lots of rain. The bad part was that our caddies were terrible and the folks in the bar wouldn't wait on us. Knowing how this group likes their Guinness and good wine, I was reminded of Julia Roberts' line from "Pretty woman": 'Big Mistake, Huge!' Not being satisfied there, when we got back to the hotel the boys ran up a pretty good bill at the bar! Big mistake (huge!) by the bartenders at Dooks!

The Arnold Palmer-designed Tralee that they played Thursday and I described in yesterday's blog ...was our best overall experience yet. The golf course is fantastic. The views are breathtaking and the caddies were all world class...a gentleman named Donald Dugen caddied for Pete and me. His card reads "Donald Dugan: Wind and Distance Consultant". He was great fun. Today is Nelson's 74th birthday. Rickey asked Donald if he knew a lady who might jump out of a cake for him (Nelson). He paused and said his wife would probably do it, but he better wait to tell her about the cake at the last minute!...The weather was much better today. Most of the guys played in stocking caps and rain suits. It was windy, maybe 25-30, but everyone is pretty much used to that now. The sun did come out occasionally and we had a marvelous day...Our last day is tomorrow at Waterville. The weather is supposed to be quite nice.

So that is the (rather lengthy) report for today's blog. I am hoping that when he gets back, Michael will write a better account of their adventures. The pictures he sends are so beautiful--I must urge him to compile an album for you all to see. Saturday they wing their way back across the Atlantic. Let's hope they have better luck with their connections coming home than they did going! Few of them slept much on the flight over, but I'm betting they will all snooze quite well on the way back to South Carolina.

Just a quick update on the Ireland boys this Thursday morning. Michael reported early today that the wireless connection at the hotel was down, which explains why we had no pictures or reports yesterday. They played Old Head yesterday and Dooks on Tuesday. I'm sure there are plenty of pictures and stories to report from their adventures at both courses. I will be certain to pass them along when I get them.

Today they are at Tralee, which is the Arnold Palmer course that has received so much acclaim. Pictured here is the view from the second tee box. The beach you see is the beach on which the 1970 David Lean movie Ryan's Daughter was filmed. (Ok, you Movie Trivia buffs--can you recall the plot and the stars? Someone won an Oscar for their work: does anyone know who?) It was also used for portions of the not-so-great 1992 Far and Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Perhaps it is better left as a backdrop for a magnificent golf course!

Tralee is an Arnold Palmer-designed course and is the fourth incarnation of Tralee Golf club, which was founded in 1896. Palmer and Ed Seay began designing this latest version in the early 80s. Barrow Point, the strip of land in Barrow on which the course was laid out, is a mixed geographical bag. It has some very high dunes, wide white beaches, inlets and according to the travel folders, "some of the most eye-popping scenery of mountains and ocean you will see in all of Ireland."

So we will all look forward to pictures and tales of their golfing prowess not only at Tralee, but Old Head and Dooks as well. I checked the weather at Tralee today, and once again it appears they are blessed with partly sunny 63-degree skies. Those Golf Gods--who knew they would be so nice to our Wachesaw Boys?

The Boys at Ballybunion

Casting shadows at Ballybunion! After watching the rain, wind, and clouds at The Open in Scotland, who would have guessed that our boys in Ireland would be playing in the sunshine every day! This shot was taken on the first hole at Ballybunion on Monday. Yesterday was Old Head, and today (Wednesday) is Dooks. No emails since early yesterday--they must be much too busy with the golf, Guinness, and wagering to think of those of us back home!

Day 2: Luggage and Clubs!

Michael reported earlier today that they drove back to Shannon this morning and retrieved their luggage. They now have all suitcases and clubs. Wonderful! I'm so glad they have clean undies. They, of course, were more concerned about their golf clubs than their undies, I'm sure!

Despite the trouble with their gear, they had a marvelous day yesterday. Following is the email he sent me late last night about their round at Lahinch:

"It was an absolutely spectacular day today. Our caddie said it was the first day that he had caddied in a tee shirt since June 10th. I bought a rain shirt at the Golf Shop at Lahinch today, but never put it on. Sun was out most of the day. Also had to buy golf balls, glove, hat and rental clubs. We are going to try to get Delta to pay for all of this. Indications are that they will.

Jerry Blount and I won the daily event today.........we beat Lopez and Rickey Baker by two Quota points. I shot 77 with two double bogeys. You hit it in the rough and it is a double bogey!

The golf course was unbelievable. I started crying walking down the second fairway towards the Irish Sea. I just couldn't believe that I was here. I tried to make a toast tonight at dinner, but couldn't get through that either."

This morning he reported that they had their luggage and were heading to Doonbeg to play. Tonight they will be back at the Lodge at Lahinch, and then tomorrow they leave there and head to Ballybunion. They are staying at only two hotels while they are in Ireland. It is so nice to not have to keep moving every day!

I am hoping for some more pictures this evening or tomorrow. He sent these of Lahinch in this morning's email. I will continue to post them on the blog as they come in.

Until the next update,
Janet

Michael and The Boys in Ireland!

In the initial entry to my first attempt at "blogging", I am happy to report that Michael and "The Boys" are safely in Ireland. (Although, I'm not too sure how safe Ireland is with "The Boys"!) They are in the Vaughn Lodge which overlooks the Irish Sea and Lahinch golf course, and report that the countryside and the views are breathtaking. That is the good news.

The bad news is that not a single piece of their luggage--including all eight sets of golf clubs--is in Ireland with them! After a two-hour delay getting out of Myrtle Beach yesterday, they barely made their flight in Atlanta, and none of the luggage made it. Delta doesn't seem to have any idea when it might show up on the Emerald Isle. (Gee, I wonder why they are in bankruptcy?) When Michael emailed me early this morning, their coach driver Maurice was out making arrangements for rental clubs for their 3:30 tee time this afternoon at Lahinch. As I write this, it is 10:30 here on the East Coast, and if my calculations are correct, they should be on the first tee right now. I haven't had an email for a couple of hours, so I suspect that is true. (Isn't it nice to know that the www really is the "world wide web"?!) They are five hours ahead of us here in South Carolina, and you all can adjust that accordingly with your time zones! I'm sure they will still have a wonderful time, and of course a few pints of Guinness can make a lot of things better!

I will keep you posted on their activities. (Well, at least the ones they tell me about!) I was hoping to get some pictures from their adventure, but I'm not sure Michael remembered to take the cardreader to upload them from the camera to his laptop. We may have to wait until their return to see pictures. He seemed to be more concerned about getting everyone on the plane with all the proper credentials than he was about what I felt was really important! Imagine that.

We'll see how this "blogging" goes--I think it might be a wonderful way to keep in touch with all of you without loading up your email accounts. With the kids coming in a couple of weeks, I will have lots of pictures to show you. I'm not really sure what I'm doing, however, and my two computer gurus, Chad and Michael, are many miles away! So bear with me!

Be sure to bookmark the website into your Favorites! I will report more later! Today they play Lahinch, tomorrow Doonbeg, I believe. Then it is off to Ballybunion in Killarney. (Hopefully with their own golf clubs, but I'll bet they play anyway, no matter what kind of clubs they have to use!)

Love to all,
Janet