An amazing morning. Sun, no cloud, no wind. A day made for golf at the Royal County Down (PBUI) From previous experience of such unusual climatic conditions I knew that an early start would be necessary to beat the masses on their warm up to Easter hols. Out of bed at sparrow fart, no toast, token shower, grab clubs and off through the early commuters on their way to start a days grind in Belfast. On the first tee at 8am and to my astonishment I was the first car into the car park. But by the time I had played 4 holes I started to worry. Not a soul on the course, neither Catholic, Protestant nor Christian. Why? Mid week. OK but I have mid weeked before amongst crowds of would be -but- nothing -like- yet- golfers of all sexes and persausions (as they say here) Horrors perhaps the course was closed? There was a frost last night and with Walker Cups coming up the Green Keepers can be a bit over protective. I may have missed the notice on the first tee. I carried on waiting for the scream of tyres and the tap on the shoulder, the hand on the scruff and the ungentle suggestion that I got the (verb or noun) out of here. But the Green Keepers smiled in my general direction and no ugly rush from the bullet proof green machines to urge me to begone before I destroyed the course entirely.
Then across the fairway I saw a lone figure-a golfer, a single woman golfer. I was alright and not in breach of the rules that must be obeyed. Golf was ok. In my relief I nearly rushed across to embrace her but as I got closer I realised that might have been a mistake for a number of reasons, mostly sexist. So I went on my way rejoicing, as no doubt did she.
In the club house I asked the Steward what was going on; a lovely day and no golfers? Its money he said. The green fees on the number two course (where I was playing) have just gone up to £28. Its a short course and the norn ironers calculating the cost per yard are not putting their hands into their pockets-or at least they are and keeping them there.
Nice lie in tomorrow.
