Republic of Ireland
Darren dusts himself off. Martin Vousden on The Open
Jul 22 2011 Posted in Golf News, Martin Vousden by GoKartThought for the Day
Never test the depth of the water with both feet
Cockles of the heart warmed all round
It was emphatically not the most dramatic Open Championship ever – once Dustin Johnson knocked it OB at Suez the destiny of the claret jug was pretty much sealed – but by heaven it was one of the most emotional. And in retrospect, having had a few hours to come to terms with the unlikely enormity of Darren Clarke’s achievement, probably the most surprising element of all was his serenity over those final two superb rounds of golf. And serenity really does seem to be the only appropriate word. It seems fitting, perhaps, that in a week when we both celebrated and mourned Seve Ballesteros, the man who believed absolutely in ‘Il Destino’ when it came to winning The Open, that an overweight, ageing champion with a history of both triumph and tragedy was seemingly destined to capture his own slice of golfing immortality in the 140th playing of the event.
Once again we have witnessed sport’s endless capacity to produce the most emotional if improbable stories, and the one with the greatest resonance is that of the old prize-fighter who comes off the ropes when he should be going down for the final count, to take his greatest victory. And without wanting to suggest that Darren is a washed-up has-been (more…)
Add a comment TweetBill’s Open blog day 6
Jul 17 2011 Posted in Bill's blog, Golf News by GoKartWhat a dreadful day weather wise, but you will have seen that yourselves on T.V., I spent the morning in various spots around the course as my shift did not start until 3 p.m.
I am pleased to report that Larry dahling did turn up after his filming stint yesterday and has not changed a bit. He enjoyed it but none of us a have seen it as yet, apparently, it is on the internet.
Our shift is very much the death slot one as all of the players have passed through the area by 3 p.m. The weather being as it is means we are unlikely to see many returning for practise post round before we clock off at 6 p.m.
Apparently, a load of the players who missed the cut went to see (more…)
Add a comment 1 Comment TweetBills Open blog day 5
Jul 16 2011 Posted in Bill's blog, Golf News by GoKartThere is something calming about early mornings by the sea side watching the sea lap gently on the shore as the sun rises. Mind you the alarm going off at 4.15 had already shattered our inner calm.
A 5.30 a.m. start saw our happy crew wrapped up against an early morning chill; it wasn’t too long before we were shedding our layers as the morning just got warmer and warmer.
The mood of the players has also tightened up a bit more as this is the 1st make or break point of the Championship. Even Kenneth Ferrie was quiet.
The buggy team are working well, a very smooth operation is our shift – they are reluctant to take a break as each of them is ‘collecting’ players. It is all very disciplined though with just a couple of them breaking ranks and cutting in for their missing stars.
Kurt Barnes has joined the John Daley set by having outrageous (more…)
Add a comment TweetBill’s daily Sandwich. And they’re OFF!
Jul 15 2011 Posted in Bill's blog, Golf News by GoKartIt is the 1st day of competition at the 140th Open, at last – game on.
For those looking for an omen – on our way in this morning we passed a bus numbered N50 going to …. Westwood.
All of the cones, road signs that have been lying around all week are now firmly in place. We even passed a crocodile of people walking from the station. To be fair that was the only place we were held up as they were shepherded across the road near the course by Kent Constabulary.
Another sign of the massive increase in numbers was that instead of parking in row 5 of Green(Sandwich) car park we are in a field some distance away. Looking around we can see hoards of people moving from all sorts of places towards the pay gates.
On the few exhibitor stands in the hospitality area the staff are more animated than they have been buoyed up by the influx of people.
There is a very noticeable increase in the helicopter traffic approaching the course and the BBC aerial view plane is almost constantly circling the course the drone of its engine becoming quite monotonous.
As an aside,an early contender for hat of the week is Ken Ferries ‘ wife – it looks like a squirrel black and brown in colour with knitted ears , 2 big buttons for eyes a smaller one for a nose. It even had a tail. (more…)
Add a comment 1 Comment TweetBill’s Blog Day three. Getting ready for a ‘Kitey Day’ at Sandwich
Jul 14 2011 Posted in Bill's blog, Golf News by GoKartWe parked on the sea front last night and due to the very strong winds last night found that North Sea had ‘washed’ our car overnight. As it was 5.15 a.m. we just laughed and went off to Sandwich.
Margaret’s shift stared at 6 a.m. and mine at 4 p.m. so I was able to spend the final day of cameras being allowed on the course walking the whole course taking pictures of players , holes, 4th hole bunker, and a series of chief referee John Paramor. The girl friend of a golfing mate reckons she is related to John hence the photos – he spotted me doing it and I told him why. He did know Diane she is his brother’s cousin in law – yes I thought that was very tenuous too. By the way, for you older readers did you know that John’s Dad was the famous band leader Norrie Paramor?
The shift started and there is a very noticeable change in the mood of many of the players – best described as nervous anticipation coupled with a desire to get on with it.
We had a very quiet shift ending at 7 pm instead of 8 due to players wandering off early due to the cold or as one caddy said ’if we ain’t fixed it now it ‘s gonna stay bust’.
Ian Poulter was sitting in the buggy when a police officer approached him – this should make the blog interesting I thought. But he only wanted to compliment Ian on his working of the crowd over autographs. ebayers ask for loads of items to be autographed and the police are aware of this and the ill feeling it can cause when players spot this and refuse to join in. Ian said he was aware of many of the ‘professional ebayers’ and dealt with them firmly.
We ran him and his caddy back to his car in the players’ car park near to the buggy track.’ That Jag parked over there ‘he said pointing to a (more…)
Add a comment 1 Comment TweetOpen Day Two – Bill’s getting busy!
Jul 13 2011 Posted in Bill's blog, Golf News by GoKartOur man in Sandwich has had a busy day – but managed a quick 18 at Herne Bay all the same:
“I rose bright and early. Well, at least there was no alarm call from yesterday’s gull – had to be at Sandwich for 6 a.m. We all arrived at about the same time and all very bright and eager for the day.
The pace has moved up a gear and it is beginning to get quite exciting; loads of players are on the range from 6.30 onwards and they are a lot more animated as well, and greater in number. The buggy team are in good spirits and we are all working well. I call for reinforcements and two arrive taking us up to a team of ten.
The team have devised a game – if we carry a Major winner in our buggy then we get a point for each of the Majors they have won. Planning begins in earnest as we try and remember how many Tom Watson has won as he seems to be the big winner around today. Rules are quickly written, and rewritten – we are not allowed to ask players directly how many they have won – this could avoid embarrassment later. One of the guys jumps the queue with his buggy to collect John Daley; he immediately has all of his points docked for cheating. (more…)
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