St Andrews Golf in the Winter

By: George Peper

(An article written for the American market but still a good read for those of us on this side of the Atlantic - The Editor)

This morning my regular golf game was cancelled because two of the guys backed out—the weather conditions were too brutal for them: 62 degrees and intermittent light showers. I live now in Florida. A decade ago, had those same conditions prevailed on a Saturday morning, all four players would have convened cheerily at the 1st tee, agreeing it was a lovely morning for a game. I lived then in Scotland.
I’d be quite happy to be living and playing there still. Even in winter. In fact, especially in winter. Indeed, if you’re up for a different kind of golf vacation, I can do you no greater favour than to suggest a winter trip to Scotland, ideally to St. Andrews. 
Here are five good reasons.  

1)   The Weather: Contrary to popular belief, winter conditions in Scotland, especially in St. Andrews and other areas of the east coast, are decidedly golfable. Yes, you’re on the same latitude as Moscow, but in contrast to Russia (and the northern tier of the U.S.,) the annual snowfall is an inch or two as opposed to a foot or five.
As for rain, Edinburgh gets no more than Rome does. The average temperatures are in the 40s and 50s—chilly but not frigid. 
Of course, when the wind kicks up, things get a bit more challenging, but if you layer-up wisely—long silk underwear, turtleneck, V-neck (or two), wind jacket, wool cap, two all-weather gloves—you’ll be surprised how comfy you’ll be, and with minimal swing restriction.
 (To stay even looser, consider observing a local custom and pack your golf bag with a wee flask of Scotland’s other gift to the world.)

2)   The Course Access: Scottish courses are open all year round, but in winter the only people playing them are the locals. That’s particularly good news at St. Andrews where a tee time on the Old Course (a 50–50 proposition from April through October) is pretty much a slam dunk at this time of year. See for yourself (https://www.standrews.com/ballot/results).
 The daily ballot invariably has a few open times. The only caveat: Since winter days in Scotland are short, so is the window of tee times—generally from about 8 a.m. until noon—so don’t plan on many 36-hole days. That said, another winter benefit is the pace of play. Since most of the play comes from the Scots, and everyone wants to get in before dark, there’s no mucking about. Three-and-a-half-hour rounds are the norm.

3)   The Cost: Expect to pay half what you would in summer. Green fees on the Old Course are about $115 from November through March, exactly half the cost during peak season. Accommodations are even better deals. In mid-January, for instance, you can get a room at Rusacks Hotel overlooking the 18th hole of the Old Course for as little as $125, compared to $450 in mid-summer. Winter airfares tend to be a bit lower as well.



4)   The Course Conditions:  Incredibly, the greens at links courses are almost as good in winter as in summer. With almost no grass growth, they remain tight and smooth. 
As for the fairways, with a “wee bone in the ground” they play harder and faster than ever. You’ll get maximum distance off the tee, and if you can gauge the extra bounce and roll on the approaches, you may just shoot the round of your life.
 I’ve saved only one scorecard from the 300 or so rounds I played on the Old when I lived in St. Andrews. It shows five birdies and a score of 71—and the date on it is February 12.

5)   The Camaraderie: Show up at any Scottish golf course in mid-winter, and you’ll be welcomed warmly for your hardiness, your golf passion, and your good sense.
 Head over on a buddy trip, and you and your pals will return closer friends than ever, having enjoyed a special esprit de corps (similar to the bond shared by Siberian mailmen). 
Yes, to walk a brisk 18 holes in a Scottish winter's day  with three good friends, the wind lashing your cheeks, the crusty linksland crunching beneath your feet, is to know a noble sort of joy. 

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McIlroy, Stenson and Willett headline Omega 

Dubai Desert Classic field in February

By VIREN VARMA

DUBAI, December 26 — World number two Rory McIlroy, pictured above, and fourth-ranked Henrik Stenson will join defending champion and world number 11 Danny Willett in spearheading a stellar cast for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club from February 2 to 5, 2017. 

The sizzling trio, who between them have won six major championships and 29 European Tour events, are no strangers to success at the Majlis course, having won the ‘Major of the Middle East’ at least once as the event keeps assuming a much grander profile with time.

“To think the tournament is now in its 28^th year, just older than I am, is testimony to its enduring strength,” said McIlroy, a four-time major winner, who will be making his 11th appearance in Dubai, the most number of times he has played anywhere in the world.

“I have great memories of this course and tournament. I made cut here for the first time in a European Tour event as a 17-year-old amateur in 2007 and it was here I secured my first professional win two years later. 

“I will always cherish those important moments in the early part of my career. That first win was a real stepping-stone for me, helping my confidence and leading to the successes that followed.

“My great relationship with Dubai was pretty much set in stone from then,” said the 27-year-old Holywood, Belfast native who is now 96-under-par for his last seven appearances which resulted in first in 2009, sixth in 2010, tenth in 2011, fifth in 2012, ninth in 2014, first in 2015 and sixth in 2016.

The 2016 European Tour Player of the Year and Olympic silver medallist Stenson, who had been a long-time Dubai resident before moving full-time to the United States in 2012, will be a compelling storyline, certain to provide a gruelling challenge to the field.

“It feels nice to get back to a golf course where you have played a number of times. Playing well in front of family, friends and supporters always gives you that extra bit of satisfaction,” said the 40-year-old, who became the first Swede to win a Major, a feat he achieved at the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon and dedicated it to his friend Mike Gerbich, “one of the real good guys back in Dubai.”

“I am really looking forward to playing in Dubai. It would be great fun to win in Dubai again, but they (the organisers) have once again assembled a strong field and nothing can be taken for granted. We will have to see how things unfold,” said Stenson, who won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in 2007 in a field led by Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

Defending champion Willett, who, like Stenson, also picked up a first Major (at the 2016 Masters) and had good showings elsewhere around the world, will be will be hoping to tap into good vibes and emulate Stephen Gallacher, the only back-to-back winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

With virtually who’s who on the European Tour in the field, potential winners are aplenty who will be itching to step up to the plate and challenge the top draws for supremacy, promising first-class entertainment for the fans