Thursday, we took the opportunity to head to Gleneagles Golf Club to see the Solheim Cup course and check out our daily train route. The 45-minute trip each way involved hopping a taxi to Dundee, catching the train through Perth, then finally arriving at the Gleneagles station. We arrived a little early to Dundee, so we explored the nearby waterfront sights.
They scanned our official tickets and we passed through the visibly armed security checkpoints. We then walked the mile over the highway, up the steep hill, finally arriving at the Opening Ceremony Pavilion, Ping Pavilion, and the massive Team Merchandise Tent that we ALL enjoyed! On the lawn, there were fun games set up for spectators: 10-yard pitch shots through holes in the wall; an angled putting board to sink putts into various colored Solheim “Cups”; and another pitch to knock down Solheim Cup logo signs.
Now that we had our bearings, we still had three hours before the Opening Ceremony was to begin. Although most players had finished their practice rounds, Val and I walked the entire back nine, then rejoined Janis and Erika to attend the Official Opening Ceremonies of both teams — on live television on the Golf Channel back in America! Our reserved seats were nicely situated, and we took some great videos and photos and even got to high-five the players in the closing processional. Loved, loved, loved everything about this fine show, including the pageantry, video boards, and music enveloping both teams. We were truly surrounded by thousands of rabid and nattily dressed European and USA fanatics – including the four of US! Train back, then dinner at St. Andrews again. Same commute for the next two competition days: cab/train/train/cab, and we would need to be prepared for the chilly and windy days ahead.
(GOOD NEWS, special delivery – the lost plaid jacket was not only found at the North Berwick GC – it was packaged and delivered to my room here in St. Andrews!)
