Round of My Life

Today was one of the most special days of my life, and I wasn't expecting it.  Expectations are a funny thing.  Oddly enough, whenever I have little to no expectations things work out like they did today. 

Mom and I decided last night that we would drive from Inverness to Turnberry to be in a better position to catch the ferry tomorrow to Ireland.  The drive itself was great.  About four hours of driving through the Highlands down around Perth, then Glasgow then on into Turnberry.  

We made one stop in Auchterarder, Scotland for lunch at Delivino.  It was perfect.  We were looking for a Diet Coke for Mom and I was hunting gas for the car, but what we found was the neatest little town and a GREAT little lunch spot.  The food was great. The service was even better.  And I would venture to say we were the only Americans anywhere near there.   It was a local experience and that's what I crave!

Turnberry, Scotland is special for me as this is where I watched the Open Championship for two days back in 2009 during my first trip to Scotland.  It's also where I made a friend in Ryan from Texas who was traveling Europe as well.  It's where I slept on a beach (there's a post on here from 2009 about that).  And it's really where I felt like I accomplished something great by making it to the Open.  That first trip overseas was a real challenge and there were so many people along the way, and making it to The Open was a real accomplishment for me.  

Coming back today brought a flood of joy, peace and love that I didn't expect.  Seeing the Ailsa Craig(Google it....it's worth it in my opinion) as we came over the hill and then seeing the golf course at Turnberry was just simply amazing.  

Now here's where it gets tricky.  Mom had told me she would pay for me to play a round of golf.  I knew it would be pretty pricey but when I saw the golf course I got really excited to play.  

We went in the pro shop and they had some availability so I took Mom's offer and played the Ailsa Course At Turnberry, the same course where I watched The Open back in 2009!  It was quite surreal.  During and after the round I pointed out to Mom the area on the beach where I slept(it's over my right shoulder in the picture of me with the putter), the Ailsa Craig, the Lighthouse, the road I came in on in 2009 when I was so pumped that I had made it, and more.  

It was a blast to spend that time with her as she walked the entire round with me.  It was really peaceful being out there as well. What a beautiful golf course right on the ocean.  It's hard to describe in words for sure.  

Thanks Mom for such a wonderful day in Turnberry.