I am not a golfer but I enjoy watching golf on the TV and have been to odd days at various championships. I thought it would be fun to buy a season ticket for the Barclays Scottish Open and did so in March for the pricely sum of ?55. Not bad for a possible five days entertainment. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will do it again next year. Certainly, Saturday's problems were frustrating and I visited the course that evening when it looked like play would re-commence. The whole place had really taken a hammering.
Certainly the leading players were taking advantage of Castle Stuart with its wide fairways, short par 4's and others that are downhill all the way. That's not uncommon on the European Tour where many tournaments are won with scores miles under par. I also saw plenty examples of how Castle Stuart can bite back. I got the impression the players were really enjoying the excperience. Also read in a newspaper today that Jim Furyk was watching the tournament on TV down south getting ready for the British Open and is keen to come next year. Hopefully, there are more like him.
If you weren't there this year, plan to go in 2012. You'll enjoy it.
So here are the things that impressed me most.
There are lots of really good vantage points. Plenty places where you'll get a great view. Probably the worst course from this point of view is the Old Course at St Andrews.
Getting to and from the course was simplicity itself. The car parks and shuttle buses were very well organised. It will often take longer to get out of the Caledonian Stadium car park after a game.
When the sun shines the place truly looks stunning. It has to be seen to be appreciated. TV does not give you the full picture.
The work that must have gone into getting the course ready for Sunday was monumental. I tip my hat to everybody involved.