Castle Stuart weekend....many, many thanks!

[forefortheday]

Just like to say thanks to GM and John Findlay for doing all the organising.

Dave,Phil and Chris thanks for the company and putting up with my drunken ramblings.

Thanks to everybody I met and played with (Dodger,Tommo,Kenny,Ray,Ray (not a typo both at Nairn),Tommy,Patrick,Smiffy).

Had without a doubt one of the best times of my life such great company,great courses and memories that will lats forever.

Once again thank you to everybody I met played golf with and apologies if I've missed anyone out I'm just a touch washed out today

PS I am retiring to a little cottage next to Castle Stuart and bunking on every night

PPS any one got any Bombay Potatoes for Smiffy?

Not that one at 15 you oh so nearly twated twice by any chance? If so put me down for a weekend!

Still think your idea of locking ourselves in the lockers and playing at daybreak Sunday morning before any staff arrived was the best plan!

I'd need 3 kidneys at least to get that one!

I'm currently thinking about building a submarine and lying in wait until they have all gone!

 

[Tommo21]

I'll get in that locker easy.

 

[vig]

just echo what everyone else has said.

I won't ramble on and Pi$$ off anyone that couldn't/didn't make it, but it was THAT good.
great to meet old friends and meet new ones.
good to put a few more faces to names.
thanks to ALL the guys I had the pleasure of knocking it round with.
4 more courses ticked off.
Some fantastic memories that will live with me forever.

Many thanks to Stuart for putting up with me at Nairn. I eventually came round and started to walk a few fairways with him.



Smiffy is such a great salesman, i've already bought one of the timeshares at Castle Stuart (didn't know he was connected to them)

Finally I got a call from castle Stuart at 2am. Apparently the coastguard let them know that my ball had stopped bouncing on the pebbles of the first and they asked me if I wanted to finish my round, (I swear it was still bouncing as we reached the green)

Feel absolutely bolloxed today. after a good nights sleep last night, the running toatal stands at 19 hours shuteye since wed night.

Oh, and Rob, don't ever fall asleep again when you're pished when there is a pack of cigarettes at hand

 

[DCB]

I'll get in that locker easy.

Aye, but you'll not get out if I sit in front of the door

 

[viscount17]

got back this afternoon and you'll be glad to know there weren't clear blue skies to see us off.

I have to echo the thanks to Mike for getting us to Castle Stuart, J_F for Spey Valley and Nairn, and Smiffy for Boat of Garten. Terrific job!
(Quite how Mike is going to top CS I don't know but I think he's looking forward to the challenge!)

(Rob (Smiffy), Ray and I dropped into CS straight out of the airport when I finally arrived Thursday. We were given the tour there and then - great work by the CS staff.)

Huge thanks to my partners over the four days, chris (grumpyjock), J_F and Sid; patrick (gave us a running history of CS and if you're thinking of heading back Inverness way, drop him a message), iaing and dave (clarke's bar - that's some pub you guys have!); phil and stuart (hope you can make Goswick); then chris and iain again at Boat (I'm still not talking to my driver).

Great to meet some old friends again, put faces to forum names (brendy by virtue of my 'borrowing' his fairway), and meet a bunch of guys I hope to meet again (Ascot, Cooden Beach and Goswick (I've already booked the room!).

Special thanks to Smiffy and Ray for making the whole trip the fun it was.

 

[Smiffy]

Big thanks to everybody for their organisation for a great week-end. My mate Ray has also asked me to say "thanks" as he doesn't visit the forum but wanted to let everybody know that he also had a great week-end.
Was good to meet up with some guys I had met before, and to finally put some faces to other names on the site.
Spey Valley....great course, loved it. But that bloody weather
Teeing off into the sleet wasn't my idea of fun and was absolutely soaked by the end of the day, could hardly feel my hands. Superb course though and didn't play too badly.
Castle Stuart...what a course. Absolutely fantastic and I echo what everybody else has said about it. Came out of the traps like a whippet, smashed a lovely drive straight down the middle on the first which I was well chuffed about. Made my par too! Had 12 points after 6 holes and was hitting the ball superbly. Then the wheels came off big time and after losing a ball up the 7th, blobbing the 8th and only taking 1 point off 9 after hitting a superb drive my head dropped. Played the back 9 like an absolute prat and my chance of glory had gone! Superb course though and that walk up to the 13th tee....made me glad I'm a 20 a day man
Couldn't wait to play Nairn on Sunday and was praying for a dry day, but it wasn't to be. At least the temperature was up compared to what it had been at Spey Valley, and despite the rain I managed a cracking round of 35 points with 2 blobs. Had I parred the short par 3 4th I would have gone around the front 9 in level par. What a shame. But I absolutely loved it. Shame about the greens, but they weren't the worst I have ever played on.
Then on to Boat of Garten on the Monday with a few of the lads. Woke up to a dry but breezy morning, and made our way down to the course. 10 of us played and it was tough.
Sadly, the course had suffered badly due to the terrible weather you have had up there recently, especially the greens. But a tough course anyway and one that calls for every shot in the book. Hardly a flat lie all the way around with either the ball above/below your feet or playing from an uphill/downhill lie. It led to some very inconsistent ball striking to be honest and I only scored in the mid twenties. We were made to feel very welcome by the pro and the bar staff though and after enjoying a meal in the clubhouse we made our way back to Inverness and our lodgings.
A great week-end though and I will definitely be returning to play in Scotland again...but will most probably wait until a bit later in the year to get the courses at their best.
Thanks once again to everybody.
Rob

 

[KHW]

Got to echo what has been said about CS, truly fanastic. Special mention to Allan,Tony and Thommo who were superb company and made the day even better. Looking forward to the next time !