OK it is a bit parky at 8-30 am but not life threatening. The sun is blazing down, not a cloud in the sky, the mountains glowing with health, heather and vitality. And the bloody course is closed. Just because its Thursday and not a day for the members who live in Belfast (about 90% of them) to come down. The reason, no, excuse, is its frosty and damage to the course must be avoided with all those major tournaments next year and of course the Walker Cup is just upon us in 2007. If they are serious about damage to the course they should close it every day of a Ladies competition and every Saturday, in the case of the No 2 track when the hackers come from far and wide to garden their way around leaving death and destruction in their trail. But Huttonian with his long straight drives, his immaculate divotless iron shots and his infrequent,gentle putts is barred until 'another decision is made' I suspect that this is the personal revenge of the green keepers.
Soon back to the Merse and I bet Duns stays open under 17 foot of snow and 22 degrees of frost. Them Borderers are tough and will play on while Ulster still says 'No'.
