The next morning, Glen arrived to pick us and ALL of our “stuff” up for the trek south. Glen was a driver employed by Tom, our Edinburgh driver. He would drive us to Gleneagles: the site of the 2019 Solheim Cup matches that we had just witnessed one short week ago. It was once again, a great day for a car ride – cold, raining, and dreary – but maybe the weather will change before we tee off in four hours!
As we approached Gleneagles, we passed the large, partially deconstructed stadium bleachers on the first tee and then dropped our clubs at the grand clubhouse.
There were very few people around, as it was not only cold, it was raining – not just a drizzle, but true RAIN. We took a lot of gear and said goodbye to Glen, who would take our suitcases for his meetup with Tom, who would pick us up later. Inside the clubhouse, we enjoyed the fantastic, huge, pro shop. We ordered lunch in the stylish restaurant and even shopped a bit while we awaited our meal.
We utilized the lavish and spacious locker room for putting on all of our layers and our rain gear. We knew that just last week, some of the best players in the game had been right in this same space doing exactly the same thing. As we checked in for golf, we were handed an envelope from a member of Gleneagles who I had previously met in Sarasota at University Park CC. I had corresponded with Frank Baillie about our trip and he had arranged our round for this day.
Frank had left the four of us Gleneagles Member leather bag tags, engraved with each of our names, correctly spelled! He was so very kind to do this, and then he appeared right there to greet us in person before we played! As bad as the weather was, he still took time to go outside to the famous Stone Shield Sculpture for a photo op with us. Thanks, Frank!
We were dressed, as ready as we could be, and began the nearly half-mile walk to get from the clubhouse to the Nicklaus – PGA Centenary course. We walked through the underground tunnel still draped with Solheim Cup décor and finally caught up with Janis and Erika who arrived by buggy. Only the third time during our trip (Dalmahoy, Kittocks, here) that we were we able to play just the four of us – without caddy. At first, we thought it was “cart path only” but were told it was okay to be in the grass – and that sure was a big help in these conditions!… Steady rain, a bit of wind, and only 48 degrees!
What a tough course – we had seen it last week with crowds, stands, tents, and music – now it was quiet, peaceful, and we had to battle the elements – but this is Scotland and we came ready for this! Multiple layers below our rain gear and two wet rain/winter golf gloves kept us from completely freezing. But there was no discussion of quitting – it was our LAST round, and we were going to enjoy it, and we truly did just that!
We really came to appreciate the talent of the Solheim Cup players, as just days ago, we remembered players firing tremendous shots in similar situations on these very holes. On some of the par 5’s, they would reach the green in two… On this wet day, that was not happening, but we too had some stellar shots!
There were no ropes or spectators as we played and only a handful of golfers. It was hard to believe in the farthest corner of the property, that we found the half-way house open for hot chocolate and snacks – a welcome stop!
We had an idea of what we were in for as we had walked many of the hills on this course as spectators, but playing and pushing our clubs at Gleneagles on this wet day was the biggest athletic challenge we had encountered all week!
What a treat, we were so happy to play our final vacation round on THIS course where we are still proud to have watched such outstanding play from both the American and the winning Euro squad. All of the players showed such grit and skill, in many conditions, and every hole they put in 100%, acknowledging the crowds, encouraging their teammates, and making their captains and countries very proud! We appreciate that we too are true golfers, and so very glad we had the opportunity to tour Scotland, play nine rounds, and sip a few lagers and spirits!
But back to Gleneagles—there were two of us who had highlights on the back nine—and the first was Erika’s.
On the par-4 14th, Erika hit a fine tee shot on this uphill hole that kicked just left into a fairway bunker. Still having about 110 yards remaining, she hit an 8-iron high up and over the front grassy part of the bunker and onto the green – what a shot! We got up to the huge green and saw she was still quite a long way away. As there is no need to tend the flag anymore (new 2019 rules), we watched her stand up to this long putt and…..SHE MADE IT!!!! I was standing right near the hole and watched every bit of it – it was IN ALL THE WAY! Again, like Janis’ eagle yesterday, we screamed and howled!!! Afterward, I paced from the hole back to where she was standing – it was 66 feet!
And then to #17 and #18, it was my turn for a highlight. Still raining, and still very cold, I hit the 150-yard shot to fifteen feet and made a right-to-left sidehill putt for a birdie 2! Yay! And then onto the uphill par-5 finishing hole – site of Suzann Pettersen’s dramatic winning putt. Today’s pin was set far back left, and I was 27 feet below the hole – and guess what… I MADE IT!!!! Birdie-Birdie finish! Now, if only I was on the Solheim Cup team, I would have tied the hole and won back the Cup for the USA – dream on, it was fun!!!!
We took a moment and easily found the front cup placement that Suzann had putted to, as it had only been a week. The new hole plug was almost healed already. We putted a few putts to the location, and anytime we will see highlights from that day forevermore, we know we too got the chance to putt to THAT EXACT HOLE!
Gleneagles – thank you! Janis and Erika hoisted our clubs onto their cart for the ½ mile trek back the clubhouse and we walked back up with our empty trolleys. If anyone had been around to see us, they might still be talking about the crazy ladies playing golf in the rain without clubs!
Our driver Tom was there to greet us – four wet puppies! We headed to the locker room to dry off a bit, collect our other belongings stored in the lockers, and to shop just a little more. Tom suggested that instead of heading out, we make a stop into the magnificent Gleneagles Hotel, to visit the Century Bar for one last post-golf beverage. Attractive cheeses, crackers, and fruit were delivered with our drinks, and we took the time with Tom for a 10-minute tour of the spacious hotel and its marketplace. We gained an appreciation for the luxury the Solheim Cup teams and their families enjoyed during the competition.
The day remained cold, but we were finally warm and on our way for a two-night stay in Glasgow before our flight back over the Atlantic.
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