Lee Trevino once said Columbus went around the world in 1492. That isn’t a lot of strokes when you consider the course. Today, Nicky and Royce teed it up at The Ailsa Course in Turnberry, Scotland.
“This is Billy and Sandy, they’ll be your caddies for the day,” the Caddy Master said.
Billy and Sandy followed Nicky and Royce to the practice tee and watched as they hit each club.
“Please to meet you, Sandy,” Royce said. “Let’s start with my sand wedge. Last time I was in Scotland and asked my caddie for a sand wedge, he came back ten minutes later with a ham and Swiss on rye. “
Sandy just stared at Royce.
“Chi Chi Rodriguez,” Nicky whispered to Billy.
Billy just stared at Nicky.
“What brings you to caddying, Billy?” Nicky asked.
“Times are hard for amateur golfers in the UK. Tournament entry fees are outrageous and caddying helps smooth it over with the wife. Sandy there’s just picking up some drinkin’ money.”
The Starter paired them with Ashton and Dylan, two Canadians, on a two round per day whirlwind tour of golf. Since arriving in Dublin, Ireland fourteenth days ago, the two Canadians played their way to Northern Ireland, jumped a ferry and continued their tour thru Scotland.
“Fourteen days, that’s a lot of golf,” Royce said shaking Aston and Dylan’s hand.
“Three more days to go and then we’re heading home,” Ashton said.
“Ashton here convinced my wife to let me come but told her it was only for a week. I figured it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” Dylan said.
The foursome shook hands and teed off. All caddies were in use so Ashton and Dylan carried Sunday bags. Nicky’s caddy was about to earn his thirty pound sterling.
“Looks like I’m about 120 yards away Billy, what do you think, a nine?”
“The greens raised about thirty feet and it’s blowing in from the Ailsa Craig,” Billy said. “So, pull out your four iron and give it all you got.”
Nicky’s ball dribbled on the front of the green.
“Well done.” Billy smiled for the first time.
Billy wasn’t much for words but Nicky assumed that was just his professional approach to caddying. As Nicky walked down the fairway, he noticed some furry creatures racing about the gorse.
“Don’t let them bother you Mr. Blade, they’re harmless,” Billy said. “By the way, how long have you been in Scotland?”
“We arrived in England on Tuesday Billy.”
“Lad, I asked you when you got to Scotland.”
“Point made, we arrived in Scotland, Sunday.”
“Are you ready for Turnberry’s trademark hole, Mr. Blade?”
Nicky peered off the stony ridge on the edge of the Irish Sea. The landmark lighthouse cast a shadow over the 13th-century ruins of Bruce’s Castle. As a kid, Nicky’s family designated each lighthouse as ‘theirs’ if it was the first one they climbed. His lighthouse was Hatteras in Buxton, North Carolina on the Outer Banks. He climbed it when he was only seven stepping on his Dad’s toes to reach the height limit.
“Stay focused and just bang it across the corner of the bay,” Billy said. “If you’re lucky Robert the Bruce’s ghost will guide it across.”
Two holes later, Nicky had a straight shot to the green from 175 yards away.
“The Ailsa Craig’s force is behind you now,” Billy said. “Get out your nine and put it up in the wind. Nicky hit it high and the wind snatched the ball, carrying it to the green.”
“I do have a question,” Billy said. “Are ya a playin’ for anything?”
“Just a pint a side and one for the eighteen,” Nicky said. “Why?”
“Your friend Royce, he’s a cheatin’ ya.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s a movin’ his ball, not countin’ his strokes.
“Well Billy, he thinks that since he paid his hundred pound sterling, he can do whatever he wants.”
“He’s a cheater lad, and I don’t like cheaters.”
“Royce means well but he thinks golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic,” Nicky said.
“Funny, you just think that up?” Billy asked.
“Nope, it’s anonymous. Probably came from Bob Hope or Arnold Palmer.”
The foursome finished their round and shook hands.
“Hey Nicky, let’s take these two Canadians in Snooker, back at the hotel. I know Sean Connery’s favorite table,” Royce said. “I can’t believe I broke 90.”
My first novel is a reluctant hero adventure titled Bad Coffee, a Nicky BladeAdventure. Bad Coffee’s first pass is complete and I’m shopping for an agent or publisher.
