Here is a video of my time in Scotland - Not including the highlands tour. I have still yet to do a video of the Highlands and also our Asia trip. Will have them done hopefully by the end of the week.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Goodbye United Kingdom
Well... where do I start??? As today is the last day I'm in the UK before heading off to India tonight I thought I had better update my blog for you all. Although I still have my finger in a cast I'm still managing to type ok. I hope by the time I get it off I can go back to normal touch typing. This is getting really annoying!
OK... Let's start with the weekend of the "Buckfast Challenge!" Buckfast is a tonic wine that is disgusting but it's a scottish thing so the flatmates and myself as well as a couple friends all decided to do a bottle each. It consisted of some good laughs, Candice won the challenge and we can see why the Scottish favor it so much as it gets you quite drunk. It was a good final way to see off our flat as the next day (Saturday) we got notice that the landlord had stuffed up the dates of when the other tenants move in which was Tuesday! So that meant, we had to be out by Monday! It was all one big cock up on the Landlords half!!
The Buckfast Challenge....
So luckily Candice and myself and Lulu found a place in Cupar which is just the next town over from St Andrews but still a inconvenience to get to move out of town. I could get lifts to work with a few work mates that live there so it was fine for me. Unfortunately Candice had to bus to St Andrews to get to work. But it all worked out fine. Nick has moved to his friends place in St Andrews.
Now for the last weekend in St Andrews. After finishing up my final day at work I got home and Candice and I pretty much bus'd straight back into St Andrews to catch up with a few mates as it was our final get together before we all depart. We just went bar hopping around St Andrews which ended up with a taxi home at about 11pm.
The next night we caught up with some more close scottish friends. This time it was a night in Cupar and we had to try another Scottish drink "MD 20/20" I don't really know what it is but it it's the size of a hip flask and it's really sweet. Apparently they drink it in under a minute usually to kick the night off, but I took the good part of an hour. Once again quality times with quality people. Here's a video of me getting them to say "Murder a burger".
The day after that I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and Candice and I had to head off to Edinburgh to stay there the night as our tour started early on Monday.
Monday - our tour of the Highlands and Isle of Skye kicked off. I saw a lot of amazing scenery. The highlands reminds me a lot of the South Island of New Zealand. We also went to Loch ness which is where we stayed for the two nights. The first night at the hostel there was a toga party so we all got dressed up in tartan toga's and danced around. The second day of the tour we went to the Isle of Skye and a nice village there for lunch. before making it back to the hostel in Fort Augustus - Loch Ness by 5.30 for dinner. The food at the hostel was amazing! The first night was the nicest chicken curry I had ever tasted and the next night was a lasagna which again I thought was nice. The 2nd night at the hostel there was a live musician playing. He would be playing the guitar tapping his "foot tambourine" and singing all at the same time which I found pretty cool.
Here are the photo's if you like http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=206511&id=573672028&l=96dfe65e23
The next day we made it back to Edinburgh doing the obvious tourist stops on the way but as the bus ride was 8 hours and it was raining I had the vibe that everyone just wanted to get back to Edinburgh. The tour was filled with young and old people so there was a great range of people and also met some people that I'll still keep in touch with. I didn't take many photo's but I video'd the whole lot so I'm going to make a "Scotland" video as soon as I get time. I'll be sure to post it up as soon as I do.
When we got back to Edinburgh Candice and I had to fly to London straight away but only to find that our plane was delayed. So by time we got to London it was about 1am. I had a great time in London over the few days. We went to some nice cafe's in Chelsea and also saw the football stadium. I also managed to do a new tech house mix if anyone wants it, it is available to download from my DJ page. I did exactly what I wanted do to which was catch up with some close mates before I leave them.
Now I need to get up and get ready to go for the flight. See you soon!
OK... Let's start with the weekend of the "Buckfast Challenge!" Buckfast is a tonic wine that is disgusting but it's a scottish thing so the flatmates and myself as well as a couple friends all decided to do a bottle each. It consisted of some good laughs, Candice won the challenge and we can see why the Scottish favor it so much as it gets you quite drunk. It was a good final way to see off our flat as the next day (Saturday) we got notice that the landlord had stuffed up the dates of when the other tenants move in which was Tuesday! So that meant, we had to be out by Monday! It was all one big cock up on the Landlords half!!
The Buckfast Challenge....
So luckily Candice and myself and Lulu found a place in Cupar which is just the next town over from St Andrews but still a inconvenience to get to move out of town. I could get lifts to work with a few work mates that live there so it was fine for me. Unfortunately Candice had to bus to St Andrews to get to work. But it all worked out fine. Nick has moved to his friends place in St Andrews.
Now for the last weekend in St Andrews. After finishing up my final day at work I got home and Candice and I pretty much bus'd straight back into St Andrews to catch up with a few mates as it was our final get together before we all depart. We just went bar hopping around St Andrews which ended up with a taxi home at about 11pm.
The next night we caught up with some more close scottish friends. This time it was a night in Cupar and we had to try another Scottish drink "MD 20/20" I don't really know what it is but it it's the size of a hip flask and it's really sweet. Apparently they drink it in under a minute usually to kick the night off, but I took the good part of an hour. Once again quality times with quality people. Here's a video of me getting them to say "Murder a burger".
The day after that I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and Candice and I had to head off to Edinburgh to stay there the night as our tour started early on Monday.
Monday - our tour of the Highlands and Isle of Skye kicked off. I saw a lot of amazing scenery. The highlands reminds me a lot of the South Island of New Zealand. We also went to Loch ness which is where we stayed for the two nights. The first night at the hostel there was a toga party so we all got dressed up in tartan toga's and danced around. The second day of the tour we went to the Isle of Skye and a nice village there for lunch. before making it back to the hostel in Fort Augustus - Loch Ness by 5.30 for dinner. The food at the hostel was amazing! The first night was the nicest chicken curry I had ever tasted and the next night was a lasagna which again I thought was nice. The 2nd night at the hostel there was a live musician playing. He would be playing the guitar tapping his "foot tambourine" and singing all at the same time which I found pretty cool.
Here are the photo's if you like http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=206511&id=573672028&l=96dfe65e23
The next day we made it back to Edinburgh doing the obvious tourist stops on the way but as the bus ride was 8 hours and it was raining I had the vibe that everyone just wanted to get back to Edinburgh. The tour was filled with young and old people so there was a great range of people and also met some people that I'll still keep in touch with. I didn't take many photo's but I video'd the whole lot so I'm going to make a "Scotland" video as soon as I get time. I'll be sure to post it up as soon as I do.
When we got back to Edinburgh Candice and I had to fly to London straight away but only to find that our plane was delayed. So by time we got to London it was about 1am. I had a great time in London over the few days. We went to some nice cafe's in Chelsea and also saw the football stadium. I also managed to do a new tech house mix if anyone wants it, it is available to download from my DJ page. I did exactly what I wanted do to which was catch up with some close mates before I leave them.
Now I need to get up and get ready to go for the flight. See you soon!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Nearing the end of the UK chapter
Why hello! It's been over two weeks since my last blog and a lot has happened since then.
To start off with, two Sunday's ago I injured my finger. I have raptured the tendon in my finger and I can't play golf for the next 6-8 weeks. So I'll be in Melbourne by the time it heals. It's quite a shame as I had golf at Carnoustie and Glen Eagles lined up. It's also making it very difficult to type as quick as I usually do.
You will never guess how I did the incident. I was putting a chocolate wrapper under the couch (As I know it annoys Candice so I was doing it to wind her up) and I stubbed my finger against the foot of the couch. How is that for karma! haha.
So after going to work on Monday I decided to go to the doctors to find out what was wrong with my finger and they sent me straight to the hospital. I was there for 5 hours with 5 different doctors standing around assessing my finger they finally figured out that the tendon had come off the end of my finger and that is why there was no pain but the tip of the finger stayed bent and I couldn't straighten it. My finger is now in what they call a "mallet splint" which is like a brace which keeps the finger erect.
So that is the story of my finger... I can only laugh about it though.
Last weekend my work mate Gary took me out for a weekend in Glasgow. Straight after work on Friday we drove to Gary's dad's house who lives in Glasgow. It took 2 hours to get there from St Andrews. Once we met up with Gary's dad we went out and played golf at a new course there which is inspired by 9 of the best holes in Scotland. I only walked around the course because of my finger but it was a lovely evening for a walk. There were 2 holes from St Andrews there, a couple from Muirfield and Carnoustie and also Royal St George.
After we got home from golf and got ready we went down to the local pub to have dinner. I got the roast beef. It was so good to have a roast! It has been sooo long! Once we had a few drinks at the pub it was about 11pm so we went into Glasgow town. We went to this amazing place called "The Arches". They had a techno night called "Pressure" on and it was brilliant! I met some awesome people there. The place reminded me like a mixture of the St James and the Britomart combined. This finished up around 3am and Gary had got us tickets to the afterparty where is was something out of the movies where you tap on a tin shed door, they let you in and then close the door behind you and there is a big party inside. The ceiling was a parachute. Great tech house being played there.
We arrived back to Gary's dad's around 5.30am and I got a few hours sleep before waking up and helping his dad do the lawns and gardens before the whole Saturday night would kick off.
Saturday night we went around to Gary's friends Mark's place in Shawlands where we jammed out on the decks and had a few drinks before walking up to the local club. This place reminded me a lot of R'Toto's but 3 levels. Commercial music but good drunk music where you sing it at the top of your lungs.
After that we went back to Marks' for a mix and stayed there till about 6am. Got some sleep and then had breakfast at Gary's Dad's before facing our mission home.
This has been one of the best weekends I've had in Scotland! Big Thank you to Gary for taking me and having a boys weekend. The Arches is easily the best club in Scotland. It was really good to have a mix as well.
So our plans for after the UK has now changed. Candice and I are going to India for a day and then to Thailand - Bangkok for 3 days and finally Kuala Lumpa for 3 days before heading off to Melbourne. I can't believe my time here is nearly up. It has gone so fast! But I guess time flies when you're having fun. Only 6 weeks until I can play golf again. woo hoo.
To start off with, two Sunday's ago I injured my finger. I have raptured the tendon in my finger and I can't play golf for the next 6-8 weeks. So I'll be in Melbourne by the time it heals. It's quite a shame as I had golf at Carnoustie and Glen Eagles lined up. It's also making it very difficult to type as quick as I usually do.
You will never guess how I did the incident. I was putting a chocolate wrapper under the couch (As I know it annoys Candice so I was doing it to wind her up) and I stubbed my finger against the foot of the couch. How is that for karma! haha.
So after going to work on Monday I decided to go to the doctors to find out what was wrong with my finger and they sent me straight to the hospital. I was there for 5 hours with 5 different doctors standing around assessing my finger they finally figured out that the tendon had come off the end of my finger and that is why there was no pain but the tip of the finger stayed bent and I couldn't straighten it. My finger is now in what they call a "mallet splint" which is like a brace which keeps the finger erect.
So that is the story of my finger... I can only laugh about it though.
Last weekend my work mate Gary took me out for a weekend in Glasgow. Straight after work on Friday we drove to Gary's dad's house who lives in Glasgow. It took 2 hours to get there from St Andrews. Once we met up with Gary's dad we went out and played golf at a new course there which is inspired by 9 of the best holes in Scotland. I only walked around the course because of my finger but it was a lovely evening for a walk. There were 2 holes from St Andrews there, a couple from Muirfield and Carnoustie and also Royal St George.
After we got home from golf and got ready we went down to the local pub to have dinner. I got the roast beef. It was so good to have a roast! It has been sooo long! Once we had a few drinks at the pub it was about 11pm so we went into Glasgow town. We went to this amazing place called "The Arches". They had a techno night called "Pressure" on and it was brilliant! I met some awesome people there. The place reminded me like a mixture of the St James and the Britomart combined. This finished up around 3am and Gary had got us tickets to the afterparty where is was something out of the movies where you tap on a tin shed door, they let you in and then close the door behind you and there is a big party inside. The ceiling was a parachute. Great tech house being played there.
We arrived back to Gary's dad's around 5.30am and I got a few hours sleep before waking up and helping his dad do the lawns and gardens before the whole Saturday night would kick off.
Saturday night we went around to Gary's friends Mark's place in Shawlands where we jammed out on the decks and had a few drinks before walking up to the local club. This place reminded me a lot of R'Toto's but 3 levels. Commercial music but good drunk music where you sing it at the top of your lungs.
After that we went back to Marks' for a mix and stayed there till about 6am. Got some sleep and then had breakfast at Gary's Dad's before facing our mission home.
This has been one of the best weekends I've had in Scotland! Big Thank you to Gary for taking me and having a boys weekend. The Arches is easily the best club in Scotland. It was really good to have a mix as well.
So our plans for after the UK has now changed. Candice and I are going to India for a day and then to Thailand - Bangkok for 3 days and finally Kuala Lumpa for 3 days before heading off to Melbourne. I can't believe my time here is nearly up. It has gone so fast! But I guess time flies when you're having fun. Only 6 weeks until I can play golf again. woo hoo.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
My Birthday weekend...
Well it's been a few weeks since I last wrote a blog so my apologies...
Nick and myself in the pub when we first got to Edinburgh
Last weekend was my birthday and Nick (my flatmate) and my self kicked off Friday with a game of golf teeing off at 7am at the Castle course and which was a great way to kick off my birthday weekend. After the game of golf and some breakfast Nick, Lulu (Lewis), Candice and myself made our way to Edinburgh to meet up with Diego and Jess who were coming up from London. We met them at 12.30 at the Edinburgh train station and had a drink at the pub there before making our way around Edinburgh town showing them the sites and then spending the rest of the afternoon up the Edinburgh castle.
Diego and myself up the castle
We saw the crown jewels which were pretty cool but probably the best part of the castle was the underground prison cells which I found pretty interesting just how they kept the prisoners back in the day.
Front of the castle trying to photo bomb and didn't succeed
After checking out the castle we had a walk down the main road of the old town and had a look at the fringe shows which is a festival that is going on all month. It's just comedy shows as well as some live music acts etc. The city was the busiest I have seen it. There were people everywhere. Our original plans were to stay in the town for the night and go out clubbing etc but it was to hard to find a hostel because of the fringe festival. I went through 4 pages on google calling every hostel and all of them were booked out. The first train back was at 8am in the morning so I was not keen to do a all nighter to catch that train back. So we decided to head back to St Andrews.
One of the guys at performing at "The fringe" at Edinburgh. I've got a video of him which makes him look way cooler then in the photo
We arrived back in St Andrews around 8pm and just had a good time with some quality people. Saturday consisted of some games of football out in the park and some bantering around at home. We sent Diego and Jess down the round about 400m to get some food and we ended up having to go look for them as they got lost. What usually is about a 10 minute return walk ended up being about 40 minutes. So we thought we had better go look for them, and they had left there phones at home. But we found them :-)
Nick, Diego and myself have a birthday celebratory cigar... (I didn't get a birthday cake so cigar will have to do)
Sunday was a day where I showed Diego and Jess around St Andrews and also taking them to Anstrathur where the best fish n chip shop in the UK is. Funnily enough the cue for the shop was so long it would've taken about 1.5 hours to get served so we opted for the fish n chip shop about 100m down the road which is meant to be just as good. In my opinion it wasn't.
Diego and myself on the Links clubhouse rooftop
Diego, Jess and Candice infront of the R & A building
We also went to the golf course and I showed Diego and Jess the famous Swilcon burn and bridge as well as the Links club house where I stayed when I first arrived to Scotland. Following that we had a look at the cathedral ruins and the Lamma's market. The Lamma's market is the fair that is on once a year in St Andrews and the 2 main roads are closed off and rides and games fill the streets. I didn't even know about them until Friday which worked out perfect as it was something else to show my visitors.
Monday Diego and Jess left in the morning and Candice and I went back up to the Lamma's market and there were more rides up there and more stalls for food. We tried a Kangaroo burger as well as a Ostrich burger. They both taste similar but the meat is probably a bit firmer then steak. But I would try it again if the opportunity came up.
All in all my birthday weekend was great. My first birthday out of New Zealand and I have managed to find quality friends to spend it with as well as close friends coming up from London to spend it with me! Thanks heaps Diego and Jess! I video'd most of the weekend so I'll try put together something and upload so I'll be sure to let you know when I do.
This weekend has been the best weekend weather wise since I have arrived. Saturday I didn't have work so I met up with a work mate and we walked up to the town sat outside in a courtyard at a bar and had a cider and a burger then went down to the beach and had a couple beers down there.
Sunday I had work and the fog was so thick I couldn't see 50m infront of me. So work was interesting as I had to set the course up and I didn't know where I was pointing the tee markers too. That had all cleared up by 10am and during the weekends I finish work at 9.30am so I got home woke Candice up and we went on the Fife coastal walkway. It's a walkway that runs a long the coast of fife. If you really wanted you could walk all the way to Edinburgh. But we just walked for about 1.5 hours had some lunch on some rocks and head back to meet up with some friends at a Gala which was on just down the road.
Now I have just been grocery shopping and now I"m writing this blog to you.... So we are all up to date! Oh if you haven't heard already I have landed a job at Royal Melbourne which starts mid October. Royal Melbourne is easily the number 1 course in Australasia and ranked in the top 20 of the world! So I'm looking forward to that experience.
Till next time...
Nick and myself in the pub when we first got to Edinburgh
Last weekend was my birthday and Nick (my flatmate) and my self kicked off Friday with a game of golf teeing off at 7am at the Castle course and which was a great way to kick off my birthday weekend. After the game of golf and some breakfast Nick, Lulu (Lewis), Candice and myself made our way to Edinburgh to meet up with Diego and Jess who were coming up from London. We met them at 12.30 at the Edinburgh train station and had a drink at the pub there before making our way around Edinburgh town showing them the sites and then spending the rest of the afternoon up the Edinburgh castle.
Diego and myself up the castle
We saw the crown jewels which were pretty cool but probably the best part of the castle was the underground prison cells which I found pretty interesting just how they kept the prisoners back in the day.
Front of the castle trying to photo bomb and didn't succeed
After checking out the castle we had a walk down the main road of the old town and had a look at the fringe shows which is a festival that is going on all month. It's just comedy shows as well as some live music acts etc. The city was the busiest I have seen it. There were people everywhere. Our original plans were to stay in the town for the night and go out clubbing etc but it was to hard to find a hostel because of the fringe festival. I went through 4 pages on google calling every hostel and all of them were booked out. The first train back was at 8am in the morning so I was not keen to do a all nighter to catch that train back. So we decided to head back to St Andrews.
One of the guys at performing at "The fringe" at Edinburgh. I've got a video of him which makes him look way cooler then in the photo
We arrived back in St Andrews around 8pm and just had a good time with some quality people. Saturday consisted of some games of football out in the park and some bantering around at home. We sent Diego and Jess down the round about 400m to get some food and we ended up having to go look for them as they got lost. What usually is about a 10 minute return walk ended up being about 40 minutes. So we thought we had better go look for them, and they had left there phones at home. But we found them :-)
Nick, Diego and myself have a birthday celebratory cigar... (I didn't get a birthday cake so cigar will have to do)
Sunday was a day where I showed Diego and Jess around St Andrews and also taking them to Anstrathur where the best fish n chip shop in the UK is. Funnily enough the cue for the shop was so long it would've taken about 1.5 hours to get served so we opted for the fish n chip shop about 100m down the road which is meant to be just as good. In my opinion it wasn't.
Diego and myself on the Links clubhouse rooftop
Diego, Jess and Candice infront of the R & A building
We also went to the golf course and I showed Diego and Jess the famous Swilcon burn and bridge as well as the Links club house where I stayed when I first arrived to Scotland. Following that we had a look at the cathedral ruins and the Lamma's market. The Lamma's market is the fair that is on once a year in St Andrews and the 2 main roads are closed off and rides and games fill the streets. I didn't even know about them until Friday which worked out perfect as it was something else to show my visitors.
Monday Diego and Jess left in the morning and Candice and I went back up to the Lamma's market and there were more rides up there and more stalls for food. We tried a Kangaroo burger as well as a Ostrich burger. They both taste similar but the meat is probably a bit firmer then steak. But I would try it again if the opportunity came up.
All in all my birthday weekend was great. My first birthday out of New Zealand and I have managed to find quality friends to spend it with as well as close friends coming up from London to spend it with me! Thanks heaps Diego and Jess! I video'd most of the weekend so I'll try put together something and upload so I'll be sure to let you know when I do.
This weekend has been the best weekend weather wise since I have arrived. Saturday I didn't have work so I met up with a work mate and we walked up to the town sat outside in a courtyard at a bar and had a cider and a burger then went down to the beach and had a couple beers down there.
Sunday I had work and the fog was so thick I couldn't see 50m infront of me. So work was interesting as I had to set the course up and I didn't know where I was pointing the tee markers too. That had all cleared up by 10am and during the weekends I finish work at 9.30am so I got home woke Candice up and we went on the Fife coastal walkway. It's a walkway that runs a long the coast of fife. If you really wanted you could walk all the way to Edinburgh. But we just walked for about 1.5 hours had some lunch on some rocks and head back to meet up with some friends at a Gala which was on just down the road.
Now I have just been grocery shopping and now I"m writing this blog to you.... So we are all up to date! Oh if you haven't heard already I have landed a job at Royal Melbourne which starts mid October. Royal Melbourne is easily the number 1 course in Australasia and ranked in the top 20 of the world! So I'm looking forward to that experience.
Till next time...
Monday, July 26, 2010
My 1st hole in one!!!
Look at all the people taking photo's of us! - I got this off Getty images so there is still a watermark.
Guess what everyone! I got my first hole in one! Just today I played golf on one of the St Andrews courses and it came around to the 8th hole I punched a wedge and it trickled into the hole!
After some yelling and screaming my playing partner and friend Nick were jumping around like mad rabbits. Everyone on the course were looking at us. I'm going to frame the score card and have kept the ball I used. So that's my hole in one.
Anyway, last weekend was a really good one weather wise. On Saturday Candice and I decided to go for a drive and it took us to a wee little fruit farm just out side of Cupar. There we found it was pick your own strawberries and raspberries! By the time we went to go and pay for what we had picked I had already eaten all the strawberries. So that was a fun afternoon. After that we went around to a friends house for a BBQ. They don't have gas BBQ's over here. They are all coal. But the meat that was cooked still tasted just as good as any.
Besides golf and Candice finding a job as a receptionist that has pretty much been my week. It's my birthday in two weeks and we're going to Edinburgh and the Edinburgh festival is on too so I'm sure I'll have plenty to write about.
Candice and I are currently looking at a Contiki tour to do after my time in Scotland and then looks like I"m heading to Royal Melbourne if everything works out.
Anyway, hope you all have a good week!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The British OPEN!
Hi everyone! sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while, as you can imagine I've been really busy.
Here is my article that I have just sent off for a New Zealand turf magazine. It pretty much sum's up the open too.
For four days in July, the eyes of millions of spectators will be firmly fixed on St Andrews as it plays host to one of the biggest events in world sport, the 150th British Open, and I was fortunate enough to be there working for the St Andrews Links.
Since I started greenkeeping, it has always been a goal of mine to work at St Andrews, and what made this year even more exceptional was that they were hosts to the 150th British Open.
So how did a young kiwi guy get this opportunity of a lifetime? I began my career doing an apprenticeship at Gulf Harbour country club under Morgan Henton and Tony Jonas. While I was there, Gulf Harbour were hosts two New Zealand Opens, which gave me the chance to gain my first taste of preparing for and working at tournaments. While there I also received the A.G.C.S.A Trainee of the Year award in 2006. Following my time at Gulf Harbour I completed the final year of my apprenticeship at Royal Auckland Golf Club under Brendan Allen.
Working at some of the best golf courses in New Zealand definitely sowed the seed for my application to work at St Andrews. I contacted Gordon Moir, Director of Greenkeeping for St Andrews last May. That was followed by a phone interview in October, and I had confirmation of my job placement early January 2010.
My dream became a reality in April, when I packed up and moved to St Andrews, where I am based on the Castle course. Arriving at St Andrews and seeing the Royal & Ancient building with my own eyes is quite an incredible feeling, I guess that is when it kicked in that I was actually at the home of golf. I arrived three months prior to the Open and preparations were in full swing already with the 22,000 seat grandstands already taking shape for the tournament.
The majority of the greenkeeping staff are experienced in turf management with only a few not being qualified. Usually there is 18 staff at St Andrews Old Course but for the tournament that number swells to 65.
On the Wednesday night before the tournament began we got 35mm of rain, which damaged a lot of the bunkers and a few hollows on the course, but fortunately being a links course most of it is free draining.
Thursday was the first round and the weather was sunny with little wind and low scores. Tiger Woods mentioned that the greens were very slow and soft, and the media jumped all over those comments. The greens speed were 10.5 ft, which is what the R & A’s requirements were. Any faster and the wind can potentially blow the ball off a green. Surface firmness had not declined from the 35mm of rain too much either.
Tiger Woods warming up before he tee's off
Come Friday winds were gusting up to 30 m/ph, the greens speed were still at 10.5 ft and play got suspended for an hour due to high winds moving the ball on a the 11th green. That night the greens did not get cut or rolled, nor did they get cut or rolled during set up for Saturday’s play. By Saturday night the greens height got lifted and now they were measuring at 10ft but still reading very true. The greens were getting tested with a new tool called “the trueness meter” daily.
The 17th hole at St Andrews
On Sunday South African Louis Oosthuizen calmly stood on the 18th tee with a seven shot lead and won the 2010 British Open. After the ceremony and doing a lap of honour around the 1st and 18th fairways with the Claret jug, he thanked all the greenkeepers and took a photo with us.
By Monday morning the celebrations had died down and things were back to normal. However after the course had been set up for normal play, the R & A put on a BBQ for us and Peter Dawson (Royal & Ancient Chief executive) personally thanked everyone for their efforts and supplied us all with champagne.
I recommend this experience to anyone who is passionate about green keeping. It has given me the chance to network with people from all over the world and be involved in one of the biggest golf tournaments on the planet. I would like to thank Brendan Allen and Royal Auckland Golf Club, Tony Jonas and Turftec
for everything they have taught me and their continuous support, which has played a significant part in getting me to St Andrews – The home of Golf.
Myself and Edoardo Molinari - Winner of the 2010 world cup (Italy) and also the Scottish Open 2010 which was held 2 weeks ago at Loch Lommond
Myself and Ian Baker-Finch - Winner of the British Open 1991
Here is a link to the photo's on my facebook - there were a whole lot more of the final day but for some reason they got deleted off my camera! Click here for photos
Here is my article that I have just sent off for a New Zealand turf magazine. It pretty much sum's up the open too.
For four days in July, the eyes of millions of spectators will be firmly fixed on St Andrews as it plays host to one of the biggest events in world sport, the 150th British Open, and I was fortunate enough to be there working for the St Andrews Links.
Since I started greenkeeping, it has always been a goal of mine to work at St Andrews, and what made this year even more exceptional was that they were hosts to the 150th British Open.
So how did a young kiwi guy get this opportunity of a lifetime? I began my career doing an apprenticeship at Gulf Harbour country club under Morgan Henton and Tony Jonas. While I was there, Gulf Harbour were hosts two New Zealand Opens, which gave me the chance to gain my first taste of preparing for and working at tournaments. While there I also received the A.G.C.S.A Trainee of the Year award in 2006. Following my time at Gulf Harbour I completed the final year of my apprenticeship at Royal Auckland Golf Club under Brendan Allen.
Working at some of the best golf courses in New Zealand definitely sowed the seed for my application to work at St Andrews. I contacted Gordon Moir, Director of Greenkeeping for St Andrews last May. That was followed by a phone interview in October, and I had confirmation of my job placement early January 2010.
My dream became a reality in April, when I packed up and moved to St Andrews, where I am based on the Castle course. Arriving at St Andrews and seeing the Royal & Ancient building with my own eyes is quite an incredible feeling, I guess that is when it kicked in that I was actually at the home of golf. I arrived three months prior to the Open and preparations were in full swing already with the 22,000 seat grandstands already taking shape for the tournament.
The majority of the greenkeeping staff are experienced in turf management with only a few not being qualified. Usually there is 18 staff at St Andrews Old Course but for the tournament that number swells to 65.
On the Wednesday night before the tournament began we got 35mm of rain, which damaged a lot of the bunkers and a few hollows on the course, but fortunately being a links course most of it is free draining.
Thursday was the first round and the weather was sunny with little wind and low scores. Tiger Woods mentioned that the greens were very slow and soft, and the media jumped all over those comments. The greens speed were 10.5 ft, which is what the R & A’s requirements were. Any faster and the wind can potentially blow the ball off a green. Surface firmness had not declined from the 35mm of rain too much either.
Tiger Woods warming up before he tee's off
Come Friday winds were gusting up to 30 m/ph, the greens speed were still at 10.5 ft and play got suspended for an hour due to high winds moving the ball on a the 11th green. That night the greens did not get cut or rolled, nor did they get cut or rolled during set up for Saturday’s play. By Saturday night the greens height got lifted and now they were measuring at 10ft but still reading very true. The greens were getting tested with a new tool called “the trueness meter” daily.
The 17th hole at St Andrews
On Sunday South African Louis Oosthuizen calmly stood on the 18th tee with a seven shot lead and won the 2010 British Open. After the ceremony and doing a lap of honour around the 1st and 18th fairways with the Claret jug, he thanked all the greenkeepers and took a photo with us.
By Monday morning the celebrations had died down and things were back to normal. However after the course had been set up for normal play, the R & A put on a BBQ for us and Peter Dawson (Royal & Ancient Chief executive) personally thanked everyone for their efforts and supplied us all with champagne.
I recommend this experience to anyone who is passionate about green keeping. It has given me the chance to network with people from all over the world and be involved in one of the biggest golf tournaments on the planet. I would like to thank Brendan Allen and Royal Auckland Golf Club, Tony Jonas and Turftec
for everything they have taught me and their continuous support, which has played a significant part in getting me to St Andrews – The home of Golf.
Myself and Edoardo Molinari - Winner of the 2010 world cup (Italy) and also the Scottish Open 2010 which was held 2 weeks ago at Loch Lommond
Myself and Ian Baker-Finch - Winner of the British Open 1991
Here is a link to the photo's on my facebook - there were a whole lot more of the final day but for some reason they got deleted off my camera! Click here for photos
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Chilled week
Here is the paris video
Hong Kong Video
Wednesday just been Candice, myself, Nick, Lulu aka Lewis and Ally went to a town called Falkland which is about 40 minutues drive from St Andrews. It was a nice drive through the country and we got to this lovely little town. We met up with Pedro and his partner Kelly.
From there we walked 50 yards down the road to a nice Scottish pub to get a dinner. All meals were 5 pounds and I got the roast pork. When I asked for crackling they didn't know what I was talking about but the meal was awesome none the less. Everyone was satisfied with there meal. From there we went to a wine bar. Stayed there 1 drink and then went off to our final destination for the night which was another bar where there were live musicians just jamming out. It was a pretty awesome but random night. Got back to St Andrews around 1am - having to get up at 4.30am for work.... FUN!
It's actually the first time I've been out on the week night and actually seen night time! It was quite a weird feeling thinking... Wow this is the first time I've seen darkness in Scotland on a week night. None the less it was a really good night embracing Scottish culture and getting to what I envisioned a small Scottish town would be like.
So guess how much tickets to the OPEN are? 260 pounds!!! times that by the hundreds of thousands going to come and watch! I'm still amazed at the scale of this tournament for just 1 week of golf.
Only 2 weeks left till the tournament!
It's raining today so I think Candice and I are going to go and watch Twilight. I had the choice of Twilight or Sex in the City 2. So Twilight it is.
Till next week... Hope you enjoyed the video's.
Hong Kong Video
Wednesday just been Candice, myself, Nick, Lulu aka Lewis and Ally went to a town called Falkland which is about 40 minutues drive from St Andrews. It was a nice drive through the country and we got to this lovely little town. We met up with Pedro and his partner Kelly.
From there we walked 50 yards down the road to a nice Scottish pub to get a dinner. All meals were 5 pounds and I got the roast pork. When I asked for crackling they didn't know what I was talking about but the meal was awesome none the less. Everyone was satisfied with there meal. From there we went to a wine bar. Stayed there 1 drink and then went off to our final destination for the night which was another bar where there were live musicians just jamming out. It was a pretty awesome but random night. Got back to St Andrews around 1am - having to get up at 4.30am for work.... FUN!
It's actually the first time I've been out on the week night and actually seen night time! It was quite a weird feeling thinking... Wow this is the first time I've seen darkness in Scotland on a week night. None the less it was a really good night embracing Scottish culture and getting to what I envisioned a small Scottish town would be like.
So guess how much tickets to the OPEN are? 260 pounds!!! times that by the hundreds of thousands going to come and watch! I'm still amazed at the scale of this tournament for just 1 week of golf.
Only 2 weeks left till the tournament!
It's raining today so I think Candice and I are going to go and watch Twilight. I had the choice of Twilight or Sex in the City 2. So Twilight it is.
Till next week... Hope you enjoyed the video's.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Ceras Highland games...
Wow, so we're creeping up into July which means the OPEN is only a couple of weeks away. This week Candice has been on the job hunt, everyday going into town and checking out the job centre for new jobs. She has got two interviews this week so far. One of them being with St Andrews Links, so she could be working for the same company as me, the difference will be is that she will be in retail if she is the successful applicant. The other interview she has is with another retail store selling clothing and accessories.
Well the week just been was filled with bright sunny days. Actually I don't even think there was a grey day last week. Being daylight when I wake up at 4.30am makes it so much easier to get up in the mornings. Today I was just in a t-shirt and work pants by 6am.
Besides playing golf 4 times last week on Saturday Candice, myself and Lewis went to Ceras for the Highland games. It's pretty much a fair where Scottish culture is embraced and showcased. Ceras is about 20 minutes drive from St Andrews and the drive is amazing. I accidentally took a wrong turn but I'm glad I did. It was such a scenic drive. I light green landscape with yellow fields plotted here and there it really was quite picturess.
Finally we got there after some skilled navigation. It was just at the local football ground where there were stalls of food and merchandise, I even saw one stall selling "Paua shell from the shores of New Zealand" and on the actual field is where they were held the games such as log throwing, sprints, hammer throw etc. Lynda - You would've loved one of the stalls, It had a whole range of different kind of shortbreads to try, I thought of you when I saw the stall.
Across the road from the field was a car park lot where they had fire trucks and merry go rounds and other games and rides. I won a soccer ball which I'm pretty wrapped about.
Now I had my ball it was 1pm and the pipe band was about to start there march into the field so they kicked off and we watched them march around the field then onto the stage. It was pretty cool hearing and seeing a whole band with bag pipes and drums marching around the place. Apparently St Andrews has a highland games too which is in August and is about 5 times bigger.
Following the highland games we decided to head home and we went the proper way back and it did only take about 20 minutes to get home oppose to the 40 minutes it took to get there. Once we got home a game of butthead was on the cards which is where we wear velcro hats and we throw balls at each others head and they stick to the hat. Then it was off to the local bar for a few drinks.
Nick, Sam, Me and Ally at the Rule
Butthead
Well... That's about it for me this week, didn't really get up to much excited stuff this week besides lots of golf. Michael Cambell is playing golf tomorrow at Kingsbarn which is just up the road as it's the qualifying round for the OPEN so I might check out how he goes. Although I hope he doesn't remember me from when I was at Gulf Harbour and during the NZ Open my phone went off during his swing... OOPS.
Well the week just been was filled with bright sunny days. Actually I don't even think there was a grey day last week. Being daylight when I wake up at 4.30am makes it so much easier to get up in the mornings. Today I was just in a t-shirt and work pants by 6am.
Besides playing golf 4 times last week on Saturday Candice, myself and Lewis went to Ceras for the Highland games. It's pretty much a fair where Scottish culture is embraced and showcased. Ceras is about 20 minutes drive from St Andrews and the drive is amazing. I accidentally took a wrong turn but I'm glad I did. It was such a scenic drive. I light green landscape with yellow fields plotted here and there it really was quite picturess.
Finally we got there after some skilled navigation. It was just at the local football ground where there were stalls of food and merchandise, I even saw one stall selling "Paua shell from the shores of New Zealand" and on the actual field is where they were held the games such as log throwing, sprints, hammer throw etc. Lynda - You would've loved one of the stalls, It had a whole range of different kind of shortbreads to try, I thought of you when I saw the stall.
Across the road from the field was a car park lot where they had fire trucks and merry go rounds and other games and rides. I won a soccer ball which I'm pretty wrapped about.
Now I had my ball it was 1pm and the pipe band was about to start there march into the field so they kicked off and we watched them march around the field then onto the stage. It was pretty cool hearing and seeing a whole band with bag pipes and drums marching around the place. Apparently St Andrews has a highland games too which is in August and is about 5 times bigger.
Following the highland games we decided to head home and we went the proper way back and it did only take about 20 minutes to get home oppose to the 40 minutes it took to get there. Once we got home a game of butthead was on the cards which is where we wear velcro hats and we throw balls at each others head and they stick to the hat. Then it was off to the local bar for a few drinks.
Nick, Sam, Me and Ally at the Rule
Butthead
Well... That's about it for me this week, didn't really get up to much excited stuff this week besides lots of golf. Michael Cambell is playing golf tomorrow at Kingsbarn which is just up the road as it's the qualifying round for the OPEN so I might check out how he goes. Although I hope he doesn't remember me from when I was at Gulf Harbour and during the NZ Open my phone went off during his swing... OOPS.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Arrival of Candice and more....
Well, it's been 2 weeks since my last blog. Sorry for the lack of updating but back on track now. I also lost my digital camera during my drunk escapades last weekend so I don't have any photo's to put up besides the ones I took this week on my Iphone so excuse the quality but I"m sure you'll be able to make due.
Well, 1 week ago today Candice arrived in Scotland. I drove to Dundee airport which is about 16 miles away from St Andrews and pick her and Debbie up as they flew in from London city. After an introduction to the flatmates and a few wines we decided to head out into the what I like to say "toon" or better known as town (it sounds like "toon" when the scottish say it). This is when I lost my camera. It wasn't a big night as Candice had a huge night with the Londoner's the night before.
The next day we went to a little fishing village called Anstruther. Here is where the "Best fish n chip shop in UK" is. They have won the competition the last 2 years and have won the best fish n chip shop in Scotland since 2000. And it really is an amazing fish n chip takeaway. Apparently on Friday's the queue goes right out the door and you are waiting for at least 1 hour to get served. We went Sunday afternoon so we didn't have to wait to long but there still was a queue. They have a "secret recipe" for the batter hence why it is so good. The fish is Haddock. To me it tastes similar to snapper but not as nice.
The next day I took a half day off work to show the girls around so I was home by 10am. But Debbie didn't wake up till about 12 and we didn't get out the door till 1pm so I was pretty much better off doing a full day at work and them wait for me for 1 hour till I got home at 2pm. But hey, they're women and take for ever to get ready. I took them for a walk through the town and then down to the golf course where they saw the tournament ready course with the grand stands and everything up. Both Candice and Debbie were well impressed. We then had a putt on "The Himalayas". The Himalaya's is pretty much like a mini putt but on actual grass and it's just over huge undulated greens next to the golf course. It was a pretty grey day and it looked like it was going to rain pretty hard on us so we headed home after that.
Tuesday after work we went to "Scotlands secret bunker" which is just on the way to Anstruther. It was a nuclear fallout shelter underground. It's the size of a shopping mall under a farm. It's something you would see in movies and if you are a big war fan you would love this place. They are actually having a dance party there in the beginning of August which I was going to be playing at but I didn't hear back from the promoter so I'm probably going to head along to see how they turn the place into a dance venue. It would be an amazing place for dance parties as it has so many rooms you can get lost in.
After we were done there I met Nick my flatmate at the Castle course for 9 holes and it gave the girls a chance to walk around and have a look at the course and the stunning views from there.
Wednesday the girls went off to Edinburgh for the night. Nick and I played golf again on the New course. I actually had a really interesting day at work, actually everyday is interesting but today I made some trial plots and seeded 30 different types of fescue mixes and we're going to be marking them on how they germinate and preform over the next 3 months so that will be interesting as it's something I want to get into when I return to NZ. At the moment there are huge yellow fields everywhere too. It looks pretty colorful as well when you will look into the landscape you see fields and fields of green and then the odd yellow field. The yellow fields are oil seed and it is used for cooking apparently.
Yellow field
My seed trials
Thursday I headed to Aberdeen which is about 2 hours from St Andrews for a golf tournament and also a chance to have a look at the new "Trump" Course which is going to be built. The site where Donald Trump is going to build his next golf course is absolutely spectacular. The holes are all marked out now but no construction has started yet. It's all on sand dunes and each hole just weaves in and through sand dunes. There really will be some amazing golf holes there. It would be fair to say there will be some of the best golf holes in the world there.
14th Hole - The green will be in the valley.
Tee to the 14th Green on trump course
Dunes of where a couple of the holes on the new Trump course will be.
After having a look at where the Trump course is going to be built I made way to Mucar Links golf course which is where the golf tournament is. It's another seaside links golf course with some amazing holes and some really bad golf. Some of the worst golf I've played since I've been here actually but I still had a really good day just admiring the views and the sunny day. I also got to wear my suit afterwards which was pretty much the main reason I went to the tournament in the first place.
So all in all, I've 3 rounds of golf in 3 days. Tasted the best fish n chips in the UK, seen the new location for the new Trump course and also got to see Aberdeen. Quite a productive week as I didn't think I was going to be doing much. Candice is just starting to settle in now and is on the job hunt. The more I think about things the more I don't want to go to London after my stint here so Canada is looking more and more likely. Perhaps Spain next summer for the job I got offered? Close to running of the bulls too :-)
What do you think??
Well, 1 week ago today Candice arrived in Scotland. I drove to Dundee airport which is about 16 miles away from St Andrews and pick her and Debbie up as they flew in from London city. After an introduction to the flatmates and a few wines we decided to head out into the what I like to say "toon" or better known as town (it sounds like "toon" when the scottish say it). This is when I lost my camera. It wasn't a big night as Candice had a huge night with the Londoner's the night before.
The next day we went to a little fishing village called Anstruther. Here is where the "Best fish n chip shop in UK" is. They have won the competition the last 2 years and have won the best fish n chip shop in Scotland since 2000. And it really is an amazing fish n chip takeaway. Apparently on Friday's the queue goes right out the door and you are waiting for at least 1 hour to get served. We went Sunday afternoon so we didn't have to wait to long but there still was a queue. They have a "secret recipe" for the batter hence why it is so good. The fish is Haddock. To me it tastes similar to snapper but not as nice.
The next day I took a half day off work to show the girls around so I was home by 10am. But Debbie didn't wake up till about 12 and we didn't get out the door till 1pm so I was pretty much better off doing a full day at work and them wait for me for 1 hour till I got home at 2pm. But hey, they're women and take for ever to get ready. I took them for a walk through the town and then down to the golf course where they saw the tournament ready course with the grand stands and everything up. Both Candice and Debbie were well impressed. We then had a putt on "The Himalayas". The Himalaya's is pretty much like a mini putt but on actual grass and it's just over huge undulated greens next to the golf course. It was a pretty grey day and it looked like it was going to rain pretty hard on us so we headed home after that.
Tuesday after work we went to "Scotlands secret bunker" which is just on the way to Anstruther. It was a nuclear fallout shelter underground. It's the size of a shopping mall under a farm. It's something you would see in movies and if you are a big war fan you would love this place. They are actually having a dance party there in the beginning of August which I was going to be playing at but I didn't hear back from the promoter so I'm probably going to head along to see how they turn the place into a dance venue. It would be an amazing place for dance parties as it has so many rooms you can get lost in.
After we were done there I met Nick my flatmate at the Castle course for 9 holes and it gave the girls a chance to walk around and have a look at the course and the stunning views from there.
Wednesday the girls went off to Edinburgh for the night. Nick and I played golf again on the New course. I actually had a really interesting day at work, actually everyday is interesting but today I made some trial plots and seeded 30 different types of fescue mixes and we're going to be marking them on how they germinate and preform over the next 3 months so that will be interesting as it's something I want to get into when I return to NZ. At the moment there are huge yellow fields everywhere too. It looks pretty colorful as well when you will look into the landscape you see fields and fields of green and then the odd yellow field. The yellow fields are oil seed and it is used for cooking apparently.
Yellow field
My seed trials
Thursday I headed to Aberdeen which is about 2 hours from St Andrews for a golf tournament and also a chance to have a look at the new "Trump" Course which is going to be built. The site where Donald Trump is going to build his next golf course is absolutely spectacular. The holes are all marked out now but no construction has started yet. It's all on sand dunes and each hole just weaves in and through sand dunes. There really will be some amazing golf holes there. It would be fair to say there will be some of the best golf holes in the world there.
14th Hole - The green will be in the valley.
Tee to the 14th Green on trump course
Dunes of where a couple of the holes on the new Trump course will be.
After having a look at where the Trump course is going to be built I made way to Mucar Links golf course which is where the golf tournament is. It's another seaside links golf course with some amazing holes and some really bad golf. Some of the worst golf I've played since I've been here actually but I still had a really good day just admiring the views and the sunny day. I also got to wear my suit afterwards which was pretty much the main reason I went to the tournament in the first place.
So all in all, I've 3 rounds of golf in 3 days. Tasted the best fish n chips in the UK, seen the new location for the new Trump course and also got to see Aberdeen. Quite a productive week as I didn't think I was going to be doing much. Candice is just starting to settle in now and is on the job hunt. The more I think about things the more I don't want to go to London after my stint here so Canada is looking more and more likely. Perhaps Spain next summer for the job I got offered? Close to running of the bulls too :-)
What do you think??
Friday, June 4, 2010
Golf then Paris
Hey Everyone!
Well Last Friday I had a semi large night with the Nick (Flatmate and GC) and Alley (Lives down the road but also GC) and Stewartie (neighbor and GC). We all work for St Andrews links and it was just a good night to hang out and talk. Though the next day I had work, and then was playing on the Tournament course with Nick, Alley and Genatles (Mark Gentals so naturally his last name has turned into Genitals) which is the the ideal group to play with. But due to lack of sleep as I was working that morning I've all of a sudden started shanking my ball and just playing really bad. Unsure what the cure is as I was doing it all last night on the Castle course as well! Anyway I ended up with 49 on the front 9 and 41 on the back 9. It was still a fun game with the best guys I know in Scotland. We tee'd off at 5pm and finished at 9.30 with plenty of light to spare. Anyway, next morning I had work and then off to Paris.
Alley, myself and Nick on the 2nd tee
Me heading into the rough past a scoreboard I nearly hit.
1st hurdle - Trains weren't running to Edinburgh so I had to bus there which took 1hr 45. Luckily that was the only hurdle.
I arrived in Paris at 5.30pm and then Trained to Les Gobelins which is where Candice and I had a hotel room. On my way up to the hotel to meet Candice I hear "There's Joe" and it was Xavier with Anna, Bea, Debbie and Renee. It was nice to see all of them and it was also helpful as they pointed to what direction the Hotel was. Yes seeing Candice was everything it was hyped up to be and more. It was awesome to hear and see her again. We talked a little and she showed me photo's of her trip so far and then we we out for a drink and bite to eat. - Dining in Paris? why not?. We walked up the road to Place De'Italle where there is a big round about and a restaurant on each corner. We stopped at one place, had a beer and moved onto the next place. This is where we tried snails. It wasn't as bad as I imagined. They were drenched in garlic which made them that much nicer. Same texture as mussles, they're just a really unsightly thing to look at and put in your mouth. After a bottle of wine there, and moving onto the next place we stopped and had a couple more wines then back to the hotel to sleep.
7.30am we get up, check out and go to the hostel where the girls(Anna, Debbie, Bea and Renee) to meet up with them and check into the hostel as Candice had already paid to stay in the hostel before my plans of meeting in Paris. Had a French breakfast which consisted of a French bread and also a croissant with Jam. After breakfast we all set off to go to the Louvre. We caught the bus to St Michal which is next to Notre Dame and then to the Louvre. We caught the tube there and we just popped out where the Louvre was, it was awesome! We saw Mona Lisa which was pretty cool along side HEAPS of other paintings. It made me wish I studied art history as I didn't have a clue what each painting meant.
At the Louvre
After the Louvre we all split up and Candice and I decided to roam Paris. Next stop was a walk through Jardin Des Tuileries which is the garden infront of the Louvre. After that was a walk along the riverside till we get to Notre Dame and that is AWESOME! such an amazing cathedral. That was followed by lunch on a boat. As Candice and I were walking along the river we saw a restaurant on a boat so that was enough to lure us into to have lunch and a bottle of wine there. Candice got lasange where I got duck breast cooked medium rare - it pretty much was like a big steak.
After Lunch we continued to walk along the riverside of Paris and explore when we got to some gardens and a zoo. Didn't go to the zoo but we got some candy floss and walked around the garden which was pretty cool and then made our way back to the hostel for a afternoon nap. By now Shane (Bea's boyfriend) had arrived so I wanted to catch up with him too. 8pm we got up and met everyone for dinner and drinks. We went back up to Place De'Italle where Candice and I were last night and got a couple bottles of wine and ordered dinner. I had one of the best steaks I've ever had except for the part where I nearly choked on one bite. But all in all it was a great meal. After dinner we hopped across the road to another place and introduced Shane, Bea and Debbie to snails. Shane didn't like them but everyone else didn't think they were to bad then back to the hostel to sleep.
I don't really need to say where this photo is do I
8am we're up breakfast is served (Same as yesterday) and then we made way to Versailles where Candice and I wondered and explored the town and the others wanted to see where some queen of France lived. After that we made way to the Eiffel tower and headed up there. As we were near the top of the tower I crouched down a little and said to Candice "I have a question to ask you...... " and I could see the anticipation... and then I dropped it.. "Can we get lunch after this, I'm hungry". hehe.
The views from the top of the tower were amazing as you can imagine. There is also a bar up there so Candice and I got a glass of champagne each. 10euro each for the wine but hey, you're only up there once right? Anna at this stage wasn't to bad as she is afraid of heights. The lift was so entertaining just watching her. Following this we went and got lunch at what was a really expensive restaurant. 8.50euro for water. and we had ordered 3! but didn't know the price till the end. Anyway it was a nice meal. We all got pretty simple stuff. Chicken Salad, Chicken and Chips and Candice got her beloved spaghetti bolinaise.
Arc De Triomphe
Following lunch Candice, Renee and myself decided we would go and do a tour of Montmartre but only the way go and see the Arc De Triomphe. That is HUGE! and it's on a round about and there's a big underpass to get there. We were tight on schedule for the tour as it started at 6pm so we had to get going. We made the tour just after 6. This tour was awesome! we had a great tour guide who was strange but fun. The 2 hour walking tour showed us:
-The Moulin Rouge, Picasso's studio, Van Gogh's house, The Artists square, Montmartre vineyard, Cafe des Deux Moulins (from Amelie), Secre Coeur, the Red light district that's just what I remember but there was a whole lot more to the tour.
We finished up at a wall that had "I Love You" written on it in all the different languages which was cool, and the tour also gave us a free wine which was good as the tour was only 12 euro and well worth it! - Oh I forgot to say it was raining for the whole 2 hours we were walking and then stopped at the end. Yes we were wet.
After that I wanted to go for a walk down Av des Champs-Elysee's which is the road where it had all the flash restaurants and shops on it. We saw some amazing dancers doing breakdancing all sorts of crazy stuff. I have it on film but not on camera sorry. It was just a really awesome road to walk down even though we were wet. Candice and I wanted to have a couple wines so we decided to catch the metro back to Les Gobelins where the hostel is and walk Renee home and Candice and I decided go up to the place we had been the last 2 nights and get a couple of wines before heading back to the hostel.
7.30am came and Candice had to get up to leave to go to Holland so I stayed in bed till 10am and then headed to the Airport to head home.
Over all it Paris was a beautiful city. I"m glad I've done it, but I don't think I would go back. Just something you need to experience once. (that's just my opinion) Really expensive city especially in the heart but I guess you expect that being Paris.
If you want to see more photo'sClick Here
Till next week :-)
Well Last Friday I had a semi large night with the Nick (Flatmate and GC) and Alley (Lives down the road but also GC) and Stewartie (neighbor and GC). We all work for St Andrews links and it was just a good night to hang out and talk. Though the next day I had work, and then was playing on the Tournament course with Nick, Alley and Genatles (Mark Gentals so naturally his last name has turned into Genitals) which is the the ideal group to play with. But due to lack of sleep as I was working that morning I've all of a sudden started shanking my ball and just playing really bad. Unsure what the cure is as I was doing it all last night on the Castle course as well! Anyway I ended up with 49 on the front 9 and 41 on the back 9. It was still a fun game with the best guys I know in Scotland. We tee'd off at 5pm and finished at 9.30 with plenty of light to spare. Anyway, next morning I had work and then off to Paris.
Alley, myself and Nick on the 2nd tee
Me heading into the rough past a scoreboard I nearly hit.
1st hurdle - Trains weren't running to Edinburgh so I had to bus there which took 1hr 45. Luckily that was the only hurdle.
I arrived in Paris at 5.30pm and then Trained to Les Gobelins which is where Candice and I had a hotel room. On my way up to the hotel to meet Candice I hear "There's Joe" and it was Xavier with Anna, Bea, Debbie and Renee. It was nice to see all of them and it was also helpful as they pointed to what direction the Hotel was. Yes seeing Candice was everything it was hyped up to be and more. It was awesome to hear and see her again. We talked a little and she showed me photo's of her trip so far and then we we out for a drink and bite to eat. - Dining in Paris? why not?. We walked up the road to Place De'Italle where there is a big round about and a restaurant on each corner. We stopped at one place, had a beer and moved onto the next place. This is where we tried snails. It wasn't as bad as I imagined. They were drenched in garlic which made them that much nicer. Same texture as mussles, they're just a really unsightly thing to look at and put in your mouth. After a bottle of wine there, and moving onto the next place we stopped and had a couple more wines then back to the hotel to sleep.
7.30am we get up, check out and go to the hostel where the girls(Anna, Debbie, Bea and Renee) to meet up with them and check into the hostel as Candice had already paid to stay in the hostel before my plans of meeting in Paris. Had a French breakfast which consisted of a French bread and also a croissant with Jam. After breakfast we all set off to go to the Louvre. We caught the bus to St Michal which is next to Notre Dame and then to the Louvre. We caught the tube there and we just popped out where the Louvre was, it was awesome! We saw Mona Lisa which was pretty cool along side HEAPS of other paintings. It made me wish I studied art history as I didn't have a clue what each painting meant.
At the Louvre
After the Louvre we all split up and Candice and I decided to roam Paris. Next stop was a walk through Jardin Des Tuileries which is the garden infront of the Louvre. After that was a walk along the riverside till we get to Notre Dame and that is AWESOME! such an amazing cathedral. That was followed by lunch on a boat. As Candice and I were walking along the river we saw a restaurant on a boat so that was enough to lure us into to have lunch and a bottle of wine there. Candice got lasange where I got duck breast cooked medium rare - it pretty much was like a big steak.
After Lunch we continued to walk along the riverside of Paris and explore when we got to some gardens and a zoo. Didn't go to the zoo but we got some candy floss and walked around the garden which was pretty cool and then made our way back to the hostel for a afternoon nap. By now Shane (Bea's boyfriend) had arrived so I wanted to catch up with him too. 8pm we got up and met everyone for dinner and drinks. We went back up to Place De'Italle where Candice and I were last night and got a couple bottles of wine and ordered dinner. I had one of the best steaks I've ever had except for the part where I nearly choked on one bite. But all in all it was a great meal. After dinner we hopped across the road to another place and introduced Shane, Bea and Debbie to snails. Shane didn't like them but everyone else didn't think they were to bad then back to the hostel to sleep.
I don't really need to say where this photo is do I
8am we're up breakfast is served (Same as yesterday) and then we made way to Versailles where Candice and I wondered and explored the town and the others wanted to see where some queen of France lived. After that we made way to the Eiffel tower and headed up there. As we were near the top of the tower I crouched down a little and said to Candice "I have a question to ask you...... " and I could see the anticipation... and then I dropped it.. "Can we get lunch after this, I'm hungry". hehe.
The views from the top of the tower were amazing as you can imagine. There is also a bar up there so Candice and I got a glass of champagne each. 10euro each for the wine but hey, you're only up there once right? Anna at this stage wasn't to bad as she is afraid of heights. The lift was so entertaining just watching her. Following this we went and got lunch at what was a really expensive restaurant. 8.50euro for water. and we had ordered 3! but didn't know the price till the end. Anyway it was a nice meal. We all got pretty simple stuff. Chicken Salad, Chicken and Chips and Candice got her beloved spaghetti bolinaise.
Arc De Triomphe
Following lunch Candice, Renee and myself decided we would go and do a tour of Montmartre but only the way go and see the Arc De Triomphe. That is HUGE! and it's on a round about and there's a big underpass to get there. We were tight on schedule for the tour as it started at 6pm so we had to get going. We made the tour just after 6. This tour was awesome! we had a great tour guide who was strange but fun. The 2 hour walking tour showed us:
-The Moulin Rouge, Picasso's studio, Van Gogh's house, The Artists square, Montmartre vineyard, Cafe des Deux Moulins (from Amelie), Secre Coeur, the Red light district that's just what I remember but there was a whole lot more to the tour.
We finished up at a wall that had "I Love You" written on it in all the different languages which was cool, and the tour also gave us a free wine which was good as the tour was only 12 euro and well worth it! - Oh I forgot to say it was raining for the whole 2 hours we were walking and then stopped at the end. Yes we were wet.
After that I wanted to go for a walk down Av des Champs-Elysee's which is the road where it had all the flash restaurants and shops on it. We saw some amazing dancers doing breakdancing all sorts of crazy stuff. I have it on film but not on camera sorry. It was just a really awesome road to walk down even though we were wet. Candice and I wanted to have a couple wines so we decided to catch the metro back to Les Gobelins where the hostel is and walk Renee home and Candice and I decided go up to the place we had been the last 2 nights and get a couple of wines before heading back to the hostel.
7.30am came and Candice had to get up to leave to go to Holland so I stayed in bed till 10am and then headed to the Airport to head home.
Over all it Paris was a beautiful city. I"m glad I've done it, but I don't think I would go back. Just something you need to experience once. (that's just my opinion) Really expensive city especially in the heart but I guess you expect that being Paris.
If you want to see more photo'sClick Here
Till next week :-)
Monday, May 24, 2010
What a amazing week!
What a amazing week in St Andrews this week was! No longer am I having to wear a thermal and in the weekend it was tee shirt and shorts! I think i've told you before but the sunrises are just spectacular! The only downside about this week is that I missed my best friends birthday Mr Andrew Gribble back in New Zealand. I"m getting a tour of the R & A building tomorrow which will be awesome and I get to see the Clarit jug (the British open trophy). The R & A is the governing body of golf if you were wondering. And the building is probably the most photographed building in the world. Especially when it comes to golf anyway. You are not aloud in there unless you are a member.
I played lots of golf this week, well - 3 games. But my highlight was playing on the tournament course with pretty much all the stands up and tv towers etc.
Monday I played the Castle course, Wednesday I went to the practice facilities. I thought I should go there as they are closing this week so all the tents and villages can go up for the tournament sponsors. They have a robotic arm there where they test golf clubs and how far balls can travel etc. It really is a cool place to go to.
Thursday I played the Tournament "Old Course". I struggled to put the ball on the tee as I was shaking so much. I've never been so nervous hitting a golf ball as I was standing on that 1st tee with the grandstands and scoreboards on my left. 30 - 50 people standing behind me watching, people walking across Granny Clarks Wynd (The road that runs through the 1st and 18th holes). There is just so much going on and you just have the pressure to hit a good tee shot. And fair enough I hit a bad one. Although I played a good second and 3rd shot to get a 5. After that hole the pressure was off and I manage to hit a better score then what Michael Cambell did when he played there!!
Swilcan Bridge doing the Jack Nicklaus pose
My boss, couple work mates and me infront of the R & A building on the 1st tee
The only bunker I went in out of 140 or something bunkers
18th Green
1st hole
Friday I played in a golf tournament on the Eden course (All the courses I played this week are in the world top 100) And scored quite well and won some money. I don't know how much until the results are posted this week.
Friday night I set off as wing man for my flatmate Nick as he was hanging out to hook up with a girl and low and behold it was a success! Met some random girls from Glasgow and they ended up back at our place with myself and Nick and Stuart (our neighbor) I went to bed and left them all to do what ever boys and girls do.
Saturday was a amazing day I went to the beach with my friend Alley and spend 4 hours down there and then went to a bar to meet up with a work mate and there was a outside drinking courtyard and that was just bliss! I can really tell that summer is on the way here.... Actually... it's just next week isn't it! yay!
Well June next week and I'll be in Paris. I've now tapped London onto that journey too so I'll spend Sunday - Wednesday in Paris and Wednesday - Sunday in London catching up with Diego and a couple other friends.
Hope you're all well back home! Miss ya!
P.S. Shaun - Read the write up of your game. Nice kicking
till next week.
I played lots of golf this week, well - 3 games. But my highlight was playing on the tournament course with pretty much all the stands up and tv towers etc.
Monday I played the Castle course, Wednesday I went to the practice facilities. I thought I should go there as they are closing this week so all the tents and villages can go up for the tournament sponsors. They have a robotic arm there where they test golf clubs and how far balls can travel etc. It really is a cool place to go to.
Thursday I played the Tournament "Old Course". I struggled to put the ball on the tee as I was shaking so much. I've never been so nervous hitting a golf ball as I was standing on that 1st tee with the grandstands and scoreboards on my left. 30 - 50 people standing behind me watching, people walking across Granny Clarks Wynd (The road that runs through the 1st and 18th holes). There is just so much going on and you just have the pressure to hit a good tee shot. And fair enough I hit a bad one. Although I played a good second and 3rd shot to get a 5. After that hole the pressure was off and I manage to hit a better score then what Michael Cambell did when he played there!!
Swilcan Bridge doing the Jack Nicklaus pose
My boss, couple work mates and me infront of the R & A building on the 1st tee
The only bunker I went in out of 140 or something bunkers
18th Green
1st hole
Friday I played in a golf tournament on the Eden course (All the courses I played this week are in the world top 100) And scored quite well and won some money. I don't know how much until the results are posted this week.
Friday night I set off as wing man for my flatmate Nick as he was hanging out to hook up with a girl and low and behold it was a success! Met some random girls from Glasgow and they ended up back at our place with myself and Nick and Stuart (our neighbor) I went to bed and left them all to do what ever boys and girls do.
Saturday was a amazing day I went to the beach with my friend Alley and spend 4 hours down there and then went to a bar to meet up with a work mate and there was a outside drinking courtyard and that was just bliss! I can really tell that summer is on the way here.... Actually... it's just next week isn't it! yay!
Well June next week and I'll be in Paris. I've now tapped London onto that journey too so I'll spend Sunday - Wednesday in Paris and Wednesday - Sunday in London catching up with Diego and a couple other friends.
Hope you're all well back home! Miss ya!
P.S. Shaun - Read the write up of your game. Nice kicking
till next week.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
4 seasons and Edinburgh
I still can't believe how light it is here. I"m at the point where I"m going to bed and it's still really light and wake up and it's light as well! Love it! Although, on Wednesday this week I know what everyone is on about when they say "Scottish weather"! It was FREEZING! minus 4 when I woke up, got to work and there was a amazing sunrise and then at about 10am it started snowing - yes SNOWING! I was running around out side going "look it's snowing" to my work mates as all I've been saying to them since I started work is "I don't know what you guys are all on about, this scottish weather is sweet". Well after the snow there was also rain, hail and then the sun came out and made the afternoon glorious! Although the wind was up all day which is what made it cold. And then the next day it was sunny all day and I was working in a tee shirt.
Looking up at the Edinburgh from Grassmarket
Same again but at night
Friday I went to Edinburgh to meet up with Vicky Fox from NZ and stayed at this really cool hostel in Grassmarket right in the city. The view from the hostel room was really cool too. We could look straight up at the castle and down to all the bars in Grassmarket. We explored the town, went up to the castle and saw all the grand stands being put up for the tattoo which is on in just over a month I think.
View from the hostel window
After that we went out and checked out some bars and clubs. We were back at out hostel by 12am so wasn't a large one. Although I ended up in a heavy metal bar, and I didn't know it was a metal bar until I realised Vicky and I were the only ones not wearing a leather jacket and were covered in tattoos.
Waking up with a killer hangover we got the train to St Andrews (my worst train ride EVER). After getting off at Leuchars and my flat mate Nick picking us up made things easy to get back to home (usually you would bus from Leuchars station to St Andrews) After I got some food in me I fine and ready to go. I showed Vicky around St Andrews looking at the Cathedral ruins and the Castle and the golf course. It was great to have my first visitor from back home. Just really refreshing and nice to hear a New Zealand accent.
NZ PRIDE
Today I brought my self a new Driver which I'm hanging out to use! Taylormade r7 if anyone is wondering. I'm finding that golf clubs are cheaper here. I"m going to go out for a game tomorrow.
How was the last week with Candice? Hope it wasn't to tearful for you girls.
I don't have to much planned this week besides a golf tournament one of the days this week, and also going to a seminar on Thursday about insecticides (sounds boring for you I bet). I'm hanging out to get to Paris - 2 weeks and I'll be in Paris!! Yuss!
Till next week...
Looking up at the Edinburgh from Grassmarket
Same again but at night
Friday I went to Edinburgh to meet up with Vicky Fox from NZ and stayed at this really cool hostel in Grassmarket right in the city. The view from the hostel room was really cool too. We could look straight up at the castle and down to all the bars in Grassmarket. We explored the town, went up to the castle and saw all the grand stands being put up for the tattoo which is on in just over a month I think.
View from the hostel window
After that we went out and checked out some bars and clubs. We were back at out hostel by 12am so wasn't a large one. Although I ended up in a heavy metal bar, and I didn't know it was a metal bar until I realised Vicky and I were the only ones not wearing a leather jacket and were covered in tattoos.
Waking up with a killer hangover we got the train to St Andrews (my worst train ride EVER). After getting off at Leuchars and my flat mate Nick picking us up made things easy to get back to home (usually you would bus from Leuchars station to St Andrews) After I got some food in me I fine and ready to go. I showed Vicky around St Andrews looking at the Cathedral ruins and the Castle and the golf course. It was great to have my first visitor from back home. Just really refreshing and nice to hear a New Zealand accent.
NZ PRIDE
Today I brought my self a new Driver which I'm hanging out to use! Taylormade r7 if anyone is wondering. I'm finding that golf clubs are cheaper here. I"m going to go out for a game tomorrow.
How was the last week with Candice? Hope it wasn't to tearful for you girls.
I don't have to much planned this week besides a golf tournament one of the days this week, and also going to a seminar on Thursday about insecticides (sounds boring for you I bet). I'm hanging out to get to Paris - 2 weeks and I'll be in Paris!! Yuss!
Till next week...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Golf. Drinking. More Golf
Wow! 5am driving to work and I'm wearing sunglasses! that's how bright it was Saturday morning on my way to work. I am still amazed on how amazing the sunrises are here! The sun is up just before 5am and going down around 9ish? I'm writing this blog thinking about the people who would be reading this and wondering what you're doing. Having breakfast and reading this (Tina and Phe), or even just at work and wondering what I'm up too. Thank you anyway for your time! I love the fact that you enjoy what I'm up to!
This week has consisted with golf, work, pub, and more golf. I played golf on Wednesday at the Castle course and what a amazing course that is! One of my favorites I have ever played. It's one of those hard courses but you walk off the 18th green still feeling happy and just stoked that you just played such a spectacular golf course. Although I have played it before it impresses me every time. Thursday I went out of with the flatmates to the pub to meet one of Alley (Alley is another greenkeeper) mates. The night ended up with the most drunk I have been in a very long time! the most drunk I've been since I've been away put it that way! I was in bed by 8pm which was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. I guess finishing work at 1.30-2pm gives us a early start and it wasn't until I was walking home with my flat mates and I realised how drunk I was! I wasn't to bad Friday morning but still thought to myself I'm not touching a alcoholic drink for a while....
So I thought...
Friday comes around, I have a half day at work, go and play golf at the Jubilee and after that we go out for a few more pints! one thing lead to another and I got home at 2am with work at 5.30am! DAMMIT! But Saturday I was in bed by 8pm and had the best sleep ever! Work again at 5.30am but I was feeling on top of the world! Oh and my giant connect 4 arrived on Friday! Woo hoo!
Playing golf this week is the very first time I experienced what it's like to play to the reputable St Andrews links windy conditions! I couldn't believe how windy it was, and how much it made the ball move in the air (and no I wasn't hitting the ball bad) You have to play golf entirely different to how you would your average golf game. It's really a thinking game when it comes to links golf. A lot of running the ball onto the green a pose to just hitting a clean shot in as close to the pin as you can. The greens are so undulated that any shot close to the pin would just run away from it and the greens are so firm it's hard to pitch the shots. Although there are some VERY large greens here at St Andrews. One of the greens on the old course (the course where the British open is held) is near 1.5 hectors! that would be the size of some golf courses all 18 greens all in just one huge green. The wind was just hammering into us and made the course so much longer. I played the Jubilee course - If I haven't told you St Andrews links is made up of 7 golf courses. The Old course, The Jubilee, The New course, the Eden, The Balgove, The Strathtyrum and the Castle course. But in St Andrews there is a total of about 14 golf courses! So many golf courses for such a little town. Imagine a town probably twice the size of Devonport, but with 14 golf courses around it.
9th at the Jubilee (That's me)
8th at the Jubilee - look how beachside the course is.
The Old course, Jubilee, The New course and the Castle course are all in the top 100 golf courses of the world. So you imagine the standard of golf course they are. It's amazing being here, thinking just this week I played 2 of top 100 golf courses - The Castle course and the Jubilee. And being able to do this on a weekly basis. I think if I was really serious about golf and not greenkeeping, this would be the place I would love to be at as the lifestyle is simply orientated around golf. Lucky I love golf, as if I wasn't, I"m sure my Monday to Fridays would be pretty boring.
I'm still pinching myself that I'm here. I been talking to a few of the Elmwood collage graduates (One of the best greenkeeping collages in the world) who I met at the pub the other night and they were saying how hard it is to get a job at St Andrews Links. They have been trying for since they graduated and they just can't get a job with them. Talking to my boss about it, He was saying that they could be more qualified as a lot of people but just don't have the practical experience. So I'm just wrapped that I got the job out of what I thought was 150 people that applied but now finding out at the last induction day it was out of 450 people!
I'm really leaning towards moving to Canada after my season here is done and perhaps coming back next year? else greenkeeping in Canada too. Though in Summer 2011 it looks like I'll be moving to Melbourne for 6 months as I'm looking at working at Royal Melbourne - why not when it's the number course in Australia and I've been offered a job there?? Also the Presidents cup is on there which another big tournament. Plus I'll only be stones throw from New Zealand so I can visit you all! It just means I'll be away from home a little longer then first anticipated.
I"m going to Edinburgh again this weekend so I'm sure I'll have some kind of story for you! I hope you all enjoyed Candice's leaving party. I'm looking forward to meeting her in Paris, and thanks Emily for the places I should go see! they are noted! I've got a question though... Do you think they call French toast just "toast" in France?
And another question - When Candice gets here will she make her own blog or will I change the name of my blog to Joe and Candice blogs? just doesn't have the same bell to it does it... What do you think Candice?
Till next week :-)
P.S. I'm all for sending postcards at the moment so feel free to send me your address so I can post you one!
This week has consisted with golf, work, pub, and more golf. I played golf on Wednesday at the Castle course and what a amazing course that is! One of my favorites I have ever played. It's one of those hard courses but you walk off the 18th green still feeling happy and just stoked that you just played such a spectacular golf course. Although I have played it before it impresses me every time. Thursday I went out of with the flatmates to the pub to meet one of Alley (Alley is another greenkeeper) mates. The night ended up with the most drunk I have been in a very long time! the most drunk I've been since I've been away put it that way! I was in bed by 8pm which was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. I guess finishing work at 1.30-2pm gives us a early start and it wasn't until I was walking home with my flat mates and I realised how drunk I was! I wasn't to bad Friday morning but still thought to myself I'm not touching a alcoholic drink for a while....
So I thought...
Friday comes around, I have a half day at work, go and play golf at the Jubilee and after that we go out for a few more pints! one thing lead to another and I got home at 2am with work at 5.30am! DAMMIT! But Saturday I was in bed by 8pm and had the best sleep ever! Work again at 5.30am but I was feeling on top of the world! Oh and my giant connect 4 arrived on Friday! Woo hoo!
Playing golf this week is the very first time I experienced what it's like to play to the reputable St Andrews links windy conditions! I couldn't believe how windy it was, and how much it made the ball move in the air (and no I wasn't hitting the ball bad) You have to play golf entirely different to how you would your average golf game. It's really a thinking game when it comes to links golf. A lot of running the ball onto the green a pose to just hitting a clean shot in as close to the pin as you can. The greens are so undulated that any shot close to the pin would just run away from it and the greens are so firm it's hard to pitch the shots. Although there are some VERY large greens here at St Andrews. One of the greens on the old course (the course where the British open is held) is near 1.5 hectors! that would be the size of some golf courses all 18 greens all in just one huge green. The wind was just hammering into us and made the course so much longer. I played the Jubilee course - If I haven't told you St Andrews links is made up of 7 golf courses. The Old course, The Jubilee, The New course, the Eden, The Balgove, The Strathtyrum and the Castle course. But in St Andrews there is a total of about 14 golf courses! So many golf courses for such a little town. Imagine a town probably twice the size of Devonport, but with 14 golf courses around it.
9th at the Jubilee (That's me)
8th at the Jubilee - look how beachside the course is.
The Old course, Jubilee, The New course and the Castle course are all in the top 100 golf courses of the world. So you imagine the standard of golf course they are. It's amazing being here, thinking just this week I played 2 of top 100 golf courses - The Castle course and the Jubilee. And being able to do this on a weekly basis. I think if I was really serious about golf and not greenkeeping, this would be the place I would love to be at as the lifestyle is simply orientated around golf. Lucky I love golf, as if I wasn't, I"m sure my Monday to Fridays would be pretty boring.
I'm still pinching myself that I'm here. I been talking to a few of the Elmwood collage graduates (One of the best greenkeeping collages in the world) who I met at the pub the other night and they were saying how hard it is to get a job at St Andrews Links. They have been trying for since they graduated and they just can't get a job with them. Talking to my boss about it, He was saying that they could be more qualified as a lot of people but just don't have the practical experience. So I'm just wrapped that I got the job out of what I thought was 150 people that applied but now finding out at the last induction day it was out of 450 people!
I'm really leaning towards moving to Canada after my season here is done and perhaps coming back next year? else greenkeeping in Canada too. Though in Summer 2011 it looks like I'll be moving to Melbourne for 6 months as I'm looking at working at Royal Melbourne - why not when it's the number course in Australia and I've been offered a job there?? Also the Presidents cup is on there which another big tournament. Plus I'll only be stones throw from New Zealand so I can visit you all! It just means I'll be away from home a little longer then first anticipated.
I"m going to Edinburgh again this weekend so I'm sure I'll have some kind of story for you! I hope you all enjoyed Candice's leaving party. I'm looking forward to meeting her in Paris, and thanks Emily for the places I should go see! they are noted! I've got a question though... Do you think they call French toast just "toast" in France?
And another question - When Candice gets here will she make her own blog or will I change the name of my blog to Joe and Candice blogs? just doesn't have the same bell to it does it... What do you think Candice?
Till next week :-)
P.S. I'm all for sending postcards at the moment so feel free to send me your address so I can post you one!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
