The Honourable Company Of Trans-Atlantic Golfers (HCOTAG), has inducted six new members over the past week of wonderful, windy links golf in glorious Scotland. We returned home to The States on Saturday with memories for a lifetime and tales of birdies, bogeys and others, incredible golf courses that are living history and good times with the amazing Scottish people who made our trip so very special.
Here’s a final roll-call and a few words about our crew:
Shaun Wandler: Shaun was our best player, the most consistent and had the perfect ball flight for links golf. Hits a piercing, medium trajectory drive that served him well, well enough to shoot a nifty 76 at Carnoustie then a 74 on the West Links of North Berwick, best round by anyone in our group for the week. For his stellar overall performance he’s been named our Champion Golfer Of The Week.
Shaun returns to Austin, Tx., where he designs micro-chips at Intel. Our quietest guy, our most cerebral and has work skills none of us can imagine.
Fred Bender: Our senior statesman at age 71. Last time Fred traveled overseas, the Marines sent him to Vietnam, 1968, just in time for the Tet Offensive. Fred is a PGA Professional and owner of the Pasadena Hills driving range in Zephyrhills, Fl. Has a really nice golf swing, probably the most consistent driver of the golf ball in our group. Hit a lot of quality shots. Putts side-saddle, something you rarely see these days. Made one of the greatest pars we’ve ever seen at The Road Hole. Not even our Champion Golfer managed to par the Road Hole. Fred brought great experience and perspective to our company.
Brian Smith: Brian is a 1993 graduate of the University of North Carolina and Miami Law School. He’s a partner of the Orlando firm — Adams, Hall, Schieffelin and Smith. He’s now the Official Barrister of our Honourable Company. Prolific putter of the golf ball. Sank putts of 100 and 90 feet the first day out in the blowing winds of Kingsbarns. Earned him the nickname “Jordy.” Well-versed on travel in Europe, a connoisseur of fine wine and our deepest thinker in residence, not to mention most-educated. Good player, plays to a 12 and had a lot of stuff for the “highlight film.” Plays to a scratch handicap in the pubs.
Jan Burger: Jan (pronounced Yan) was a last-minute substitute for one of the guys who suffered a herniated disc in his neck and wow, did we hit the jackpot with Jan joining our Honourable Company. He’s from the Czech Republic where he owns a hotel, a golf course and who knows what else. He’s driven at 180 miles per hour on the German Autobahn, can scan a menu like no one else, is a connoisseur of fine wine and well-traveled Bon Vivant. Once talked his way out of a speeding ticket in Michigan. Was going 110 mph in a borrowed car. He can be most persuasive. Has a keen wit and sense of humor and is a good golfer on top of everything else. Hits it long and uses an old Nickent driver. Go figure. Seems like Jan made at lease two birdies on every course we played.
He could absolutely be The World’s Most Interesting Man.
Kevin Bahr and Bill Burgess: Have to mention these two guys in the same sentence because, well, these fellas have been friends for 45 years and it shows. When they start sticking the needle in each other, you don’t need a comedy routine. They’ll give you one.
Kevin is the owner of Bahr’s Propane Gas and A/C in Zephyrhills. Probably our most athletic player and certainly the longest. He produced some absolute bombs with his driver, including the final swing of the trip from the 18th tee at North Berwick West Links where he drove the 345-yard par four, easily. This Air Force veteran in our group had the distinction of shooting the lowest nine-hole score of the week — a sparkling 35 (one-under) on the outward nine at Carnoustie that included an eagle three at the par five sixth. His back tightened up for about four holes on the inward nine or he would have produced a stellar round, no doubt.
Bill is the Director of the East Pasco Building Department. Not our best player but tackled each course without hesitation. There was plenty of heckling from this duo. Great banter and did we mention that these guys are plus-four handicappers in the pubs? They were part of the Zephyrhills Trio along with Fred.
David Stewart: This trip would never have been possible without the knowledge, connections and efforts of our MVP. Dave set everything up and things went beyond smooth. He and wife Taryn are frequent visitors to Scotland and the UK and it shows. David is a Tampa PGA Professional, doesn’t play all that often back home. Saved his best day for the very, very difficult Muirfield links and responded with 81 on a windy day. Dave’s the one who introduced us to the luncheon buffet inside the renovated Muirfield club house. Coat and tie, no pictures, no cell phones. World-class food on that buffet. Thank-you Dave, we would never have made it without you.
And finally, we would be remiss if we did not pay homage to our Captain Of Transportation. Robin Paterson is Edinburgh-based, owns Fore Golf Travel. His eight-seat Mercedes-Benz transporter was awesome. He was the driver for the Dalai Lama when the Lama and his entourage last visited Scotland.
The Dalai Lama sat in the front left seat of Robin’s vehicle and we all made sure we sat there at least for a minute or so to get some of that spiritual karma from the Lama.
So we’ve got that going for us.
Which is nice.
