Dale attended regional chapter meetings in Miami, Atlanta and Mazatlan.



In July we both went to Scotland for a week to cover the grand opening of Machrihanish Dunes, the first new course in western Scotland in 100 years. It is right next to the "old Tom Morris" course, Machrihanish.

When we first landed in Glasgow we went straight to Turnberry to watch Day 1 of the Open. We followed Tiger for 5 holes (playing with Lee Westwood and Ishakawa, the 17 year old sensation from Japan). Then we saw Tom Watson finish the 18th. No cameras or cell phones allowed, but spectators could wander everywhere but the fairways and along the edges.

After that we took the ferry to the island of Arran where we played a 12 hole quirky course called Shiskine. Then we took another ferry to the peninsula of Machrihansih. There on to another ferry to the island of Islay, famous for the whiskey and The Machrie golf course. Another throw back course with lots of blind shots and quirky holes. We played 36 here since we enjoyed is so much. Dale visited the Lagavulin distillery and was in heaven!

Then took another ferry to Machrihanish and Campbelltown. The next day we played Mach Dunes. It is along the sea, very wild, very undulating with impossible rolls and mounds on many of the greens. A true test. Needs some work, but a fun and very challenging course. The back nine is decidedly easier than the front.

That night we saw David Joy do his one man show of Old Tom Morris. He was superb! The next day we played the old Tom Morris course Machrihanish. A class links course much wider open and accessible than Mach Dunes at this point, but lots of rolls and some blind shots and diabolical greens. Unfortunately it rained "cats and dogs" the day of the grand opening golf at Mach Dunes.

We ended our trip staying at the Cameron House along Loch Lomond the night before we flew home from Glasgow. The House is absolutely gorgeous with the Loch in view. Wish we had had much more time there.