There is a special magic in playing golf in Scotland, Ireland, and England. The Scots likely invented the game in the 15th Century. The Scottish parliament act of 1457 banned the game because it was interfering with military training. Think of all the frustration and agony saved if the ban has stayed in place. The Swilcan Burn bridge that cross the l8th fairway at the Old Course in Saint Andrews is likely 800 years old. This year the British Open is being played at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Holyoke. The course is only 154 years old and is a true links course, built on sandy coastline that offers a firmer playing surface. Pot bunkers dot the landscape along with rolling dunes covered with varying heights of rough. This style course is challenging without the wind which you can generally expect. It is a wonderful event to watch.
The word links come from old Scottish-hlincs. The history around the game is very interesting. I had the great good fortune to get to play Muirfield near Gullen in Scotland with my brother Dick. It is an R and A site and the clubhouse can only be entered by invitation. Old Tom Morris, is considered the Grand Old Man of Golf and an Open winner in l861 and 3 other times. My brother hit a shot into a green side pot bunker at Muifield and was only able to hit the ball by kneeling and leaning into the deep bunker. I got a picture as he miraculously hit it out and onto the green. We finished the round and went into the clubhouse for lunch, which required us to be in shirt, tie and jacket. As we toured the golf history museum in the club house, there was old Tom hitting it out of the same bunker from his knees over 100 years earlier. I love the game and still play, Karen says I remember every hole I have ever played, not true but certain golf memories do not go away.
Speaking of places with no trees, like a links course. In a revelation this week, Republicans are leading a bipartisan effort to plant one Trillion trees. For a party that has spent a lot of time disclaiming climate change science I guess this is progress. The plan is full of holes and appears to have the same impact as closing the barn door after the horses have escaped. Reducing emissions from fossil fuels and managing methane release should be our primary focus. Planting trees is fine but the science says it is way too late for this as a solution to the immediate crisis. The Inflation Reduction Act, includes $400 billion over the next decade to slash carbon emissions, largely by lowering the cost of clean energy technology. A heat index of 152 Degrees F on Thursday in the Persian Gulf, the index measures how hot the air actually feels when temperature and humidity are considered. It was near 130 degrees in Death Valley. I hope they plant tall trees, the shade will help.
The picture is the riparian meadow that borders the l8th hole at Jug Mountain in McCall. Enjoy the British Open if you are so inclined, if not enjoy the summer heat. Mike