Blog Entries for Boynie

Odd Games of Golf, part 1.

Boynie — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100

On the 19th November 1932 , R.S. Little and K.G. Sherriff, students at St. Andrews University, played a cross country match from Ceres, an inland fifeshire village to the home hole at St. Andrews. The conditions were that each was to use one club, they were allowed to tee the ball up on each shot, and to hole out in less than 300 strokes. The distance was nine miles and they took eight hours. Mr. Little holed out in 236 strokes against Mr. Sherriff's 238.

Martin Laird, final PGA event and his Tour Card!

Boynie — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:00:00 +0100

The only Scottish golfer playing on the US PGA Tour, Martin Laird, is fighting to retain his tour card for 2009 at the Childrens Miracle Network Classic being played over Lake Beuna Vista in Florida. Currently sitting at 126th position he requires a good finish this weekend to get into 125th place or better and reserve his full playing rights for next season.

A good first couple of days, 68 & 66, has put him in a superb position though the golfe [...]

David Horsey & European Tour

Boynie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Way back at the start of the golf season I wrote a wee blog about the young Englishman David Horsey, who I'd caddied for on the Old Course during 2007, and though he missed out on his full tour card was preparing to play on the second tier European Challenge Tour. I indicated that David was a determined young golfer and fully expected him to do well.

The great news is that he won it, finishing in 7th place at the final event he topped his tour's money list with [...]

Pictures new Castle Course, St. Andrews.

Boynie — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100

I've just posted some photographs I managed to take of a few holes on the recently opened Castle Course here in St. Andrews.

The course has been desined by David McLay Kidd who was responsible for the admired Bandon Dunes in Oregon. At 6376 yards for the visitor and set on the clifftops of historic St. Andrews it is some addition to the golf courses in the area. Truly spectacular, quirky and when the wind is blowing pretty tough.

I think it is great f [...]

Scotland Golf Course Costs for 2009

Boynie — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100

I have been receiving the 2009 Green Fee updates from the major golf courses in Scotland over the last month or so and the good news is that the big courses have decided to maintain the 2008 costings into next years golf season.

St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Western Gailes and Royal Dornoch amongst others have all confirmed their prices for next year and now that this precedent has been set I would assume that most courses will follow suit.

If anyone needs any informa [...]

Wednesday's round on the Old.

Boynie — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100

It is always interesting over here on the Old Course and even more so on Wednesday just past. As I approached the 1st tee I was introduced to my golfer for the day, Rodger, by the golf tour operator.

Fine I thought, I'll happily have the golfer referred to me by the operator who I know. It is generally a good sign that the golfer is either a good player or a top dog. He had a good set of clubs and a lovely light 'travel pencil' bag. This is going to be a goo [...]

Bobby Jones and St. Andrews.

Boynie — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Here is a lovely article that was posted on the official R&A web site to commemorate the great RT (Bobby) Jones and his love of St. Andrews:

www.randa.com/news

News Detail 50th anniversary of Bobby Jones receiving Freedom of St Andrews Department: General
Date: 08 Oct 2008 [...]

Dunhill Links: Old Course, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns

Boynie — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:00:00 +0100

The European Tour returns to the Kingdom of Golf this weekend with the unique event of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. It is played over the three great golf courses of the historic St. Andrews Old Course, the magnificent Open venue of Carnoustie and the stunning Kingsbarns. It is played as a pro/am over three days with the top 60 pros and top 20 pro/am teams qualifying for the final day on Sunday over the Old Course.

I shall be doing my best to get my amateur over t [...]

Golf it up Radio Jay & Boynie on the Old Course

Boynie — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100

As Jay has mentioned in his blog we met up at the Starters Hut on the Old Course, St. Andrews, on Friday 15th August prior to the Williams family tee time of 1.50pm.

I caddied for Jay's father Ron who was a hoot and did my best to inform Jay and his son Evan of the lines from tees, yardages on the fairway and occasional reads on the greens.

A good day was had by all and I've posted some photographs of Jay on the Old Course which can be viewed on [...]

The 17th.

Boynie — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Alistair had been leaving the clubhead open at impact over the last three drives and this had cost us dearly on 14th with his drive going OB over the wall onto the Eden Golf Course, though did get a good 'par' with second ball for a double bogey 7. On the 15th we got lucky with our lie on the grass footpath in the right rough and managed to get pin high just off the green with an 8 iron, whereupon he knocked in the 25 foot putt for a unlikely birdie after the drive...neve [...]

TGS members to meet in St. Andrews

Boynie — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100

I am hoping to meet up on Wedneday with TGS member Jay Williams, the host of “Golf it Up! Radio” in the world famous Dunvegan Bar, St. Andrews, which stands on the corner of Golf Place only 130 yards from the 18th green of the Old Course.

Jay contacted me last week while I was on holiday in Egypt to say that he would be over in St. Andrews this week and was hoping to catch up. I suggested a pub! Then I'll take then down to the St. Andrews Golf Club that si [...]

Padraig Harrington: a Champion

Boynie — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Padraig Harrington confirms his status as the world number 3 by his gritty performance through the back nine at Oakland Hills and has certainly decided to take advantage of Tiger Woods abscence by deeds rather than words.

He now sits just over 2 points behind Phil Mickelson in the world rankings and must be looking forward to catching him up and then begin to eat into Tiger Woods massive lead before he returns to competitive golf next year.

I think it is wonderful wha [...]

St. Andrews Old Course Tee Times 2009.

Boynie — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

The applications for 2009 tee times on the Old Course at St. Andrews will be opened on Wednesday the 3rd of September, 2008 at 10am (GMT).

This is the first route golfers should take when looking/wishing to play on the Old Course. The tee times made available from the St. Andrews Links Trust are generally over subscribed and are usually sold out within the first day. More importantly they are also sold at face value.

I would suggest that those who are discussing the idea of [...]

Harrington defends Open title.

Boynie — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Padraig Harrinton has become the first European to successfully win back to back Open titles since the legendary Scottish golfer, and five time Open Champion, James Braid in 1906. He joins an elite group of golfers that include:

Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, Peter Thomson, Bobby Locke, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, James Braid, Harry Vardon, Jh Taylor, Bob Ferguson, Jamie Anderson, Tom Morris Jnr and of course Tom Morris Snr.

His wonderful 5 wood [...]

The Open, day 3.

Boynie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

The coverage has recently finished on the BBC over here in Britain. My goodness was that not just a fantastic day of 'links golf' from a tough golf course with EXTREME WIND that just added to the delight of the armchair spectator.

The extraordinary performance from, the great golfing god of the 1980's Greg Norman, has been an absolute delight to watch and especially on this third day when many commentators thought that his resolve may fizzle away. I could not agree with [...]

Loch Lomond Scottish Open

Boynie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

I had gone across to Loch Lomond to try and catch a 'bag' for the Scottish Open being played this weekend but after two days of hanging around it was becoming clear that the majority of the field had arranged their caddies.

Not to worry. I caught up with a couple of caddies I knew and also reaquainted myself with the course as I had not been over it since the 2005 Scottish Open. It is really beautiful and I took a couple of photographs that you can view in my [...]

Curtis Cup: Great Britain & Ireland v USA

Boynie — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

The Curtis Cup is the pinnacle of the ladies amateur golf game. It is a bi-annual event and this year is being held over the Old Course St. Andrews for the first time.

The teams have been practicing since Monday and everyone is just itching for the competition to start proper tomorrow morning, Friday 30th May. It is similar to the Ryder Cup and the mens amateur event the Walker Cup, with the morning rounds being a Foursomes (alternate shots), Fourballs in the afternoon for [...]

St. Andrews May photos.

Boynie — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

I've posted a couple of pics of St. Andrews at it's most beautiful...late Spring with the gorse bushes in full golden bloom. Check out the profile page. I would hope to get a few more posted in the next few weeks.

Cheers, Boynie

St. Rule Trophy, St. Andrews Old Course.

Boynie — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

One of the main amateur ladies tournaments, The St. Rule Trophy, is being held tomorrow, Sunday 25th May, over two rounds on the Old Course at St. Andrews.

This has become a prestigious trophy for the up and coming amateur golfers looking to follow in the footsteps of past champions Annika Sorenstam and Catriona Matthew.

The tournament has been reduced to a one day event, two rounds over the Old Course, from three due to the Bi-Annual Curtis Cup being held over the O [...]

Invite to Company Golf Day.

Boynie — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Golf tomorrow (Friday 16th May) as a guest of my wifes Company Golf Day. Looking forward to it though may have some stamina issues....just caddied 21 rounds in 18 days with two rounds of golf thrown in on my two days off!

Playing at Aberfoyle GC which may not be long but does have a few up & down the hill moments! Great views across the Trossach Hills and views to the mountains surrounding Loch Lomond so hopefully that should alleviate some of the pain on the second 18 [...]