The Old Course and Indulging My Inner Movie Buff

Today I got a text from Sandy asking if I wanted to walk around the Old Golf Course today. Why not? You can literally walk onto the course that hosts the British Open every year and its not a big deal. We walked past grounds keepers who smiled and waved at us knowing full well we weren't there to golf. The Old (and New) Course has one of the best view points of town from anywhere in my opinion and it was great to just get outside when last week it was so dreary. The past two days have been absolutely lovely ... well, mainly overcast, but there were traces of sun visible, which makes for a lovely day here! The Old Course is really beautiful, but is also spectacularly difficult. I intend to play it when the weather gets warmer just for the sake of saying I've done it, but right now it's still too chilly to do a full 18 holes. So for all you golf enthusiasts out there, enjoy the following photos! Note: unfortunately Sandy has all the pictures of me on the course on her camera so once I get them I'll post them.

This is a photo of the old club house, where your golfing journey begins.

Sign directing you which way to go for particular courses.

This is the Old Course Hotel and Spa where I assume most of the pro golfers stay when they come in for the Open. It's also where St. Regulus (my hall, which will be referred to as "Regs" from hence forth) is holding its spring ball. Yeah. We're sophisticated and proud of it. Also, a note to Troy Hedspeth specifically: you see that thing in the bottom right corner? That's a sand trap. You are correct in assuming that it's basically a hole with sand at the bottom.

It's a gorgeous golf course.

After being on the course for a while, Sandy and I cut over West Sands Beach which lies on the other side of town, but still borders the North Sea. Hard to explain physical location without a map. Below are pictures of West Sands.

The stunning West Sands Beach. Tides are really dramatic here, so if I were standing in this spot at high tide, I'd probably be at least calf deep in water, maybe even up to the top of my leg.

So for those of you who are movie buffs, you may recognize this beach / scene behind me. Need a reminder? Here you go:

Yes, this is the beach where they filmed the opening and closing scenes from the 1981 classic film "Chariots of Fire". Plans are already in the works to re-enact this scene. We will be going to the local thrift stores to buy the appropriate apparel to remain absolutely true to the scene.

I apologize to my mom, Jim, and grandparents for this one, but it's the token "Let's see how close to the edge I can get" photo! Don't worry, this particular section of the cliffs has a ledge about 5 feet below the bottom of the sidewalk, so it isn't a true sheer drop. Further up The Scores is a different story though ...

And one more shot of West Sands to provide proof beyond doubt that yes, the infamous running scene was indeed filmed here. Elon study abroad version to be created soon.