Sophomore Sam Towler blogs about the Eagles' trip to Scotland.
From Across the Pond #5: Sam Towler Blog on Men's Golf Trip to Scotland
10/24/2014 12:12:00 PM | Men's Golf
Blog #5 - Eden Course
The Georgia Southern men's golf team is competing at St. Andrew's Golf Club in Scotland this week. Sophomore Sam Towler is writing a blog about the team's trip.
Oct. 23 - The Eden Course
Unfortunately, this was our last day of golf here in Scotland. For me, the trip has flown by. We had a slightly later tee time on the Eden Course, which is within walking distance from the Old Course. We all got to play with a booster and played better ball with the two best scores counting. I played with Matt (Mierzejewski), Barry Deal and James Bunch. The weather was great - a lot warmer than the previous day but still very, very windy. Having seen Coach Mays pipe one straight down the center of the first fairway, we knew that we would have to play well to take the win!
Both Matt and I played pretty well but Mr. Deal was on fire! I'm not quite sure where the 16 handicap came from, but one of the highlights of the day was Mr. Deal making a net-1 on hole number 8. It's tough to beat net aces. Once we finished the round, we had a great Gala dinner at the hotel where the prizes were given out. On behalf of the whole team, I think I am right in saying this was the best trip I have ever been on. The company of the boosters, Coach Mays and the parents made this a trip we will never forget. We can't thank everyone who was involved in making this happen enough.
Oct. 22 - Match Play
Today, we had the match. The format was four ball, better ball and two of the Georgia Southern guys play against one St. Andrews player and one player from the Scandinavian School of Golf. We played at the Torrence Course at the Fermont resort. The teams were: Matt (Mierzejewski) and I, Kim (Koivu) and Andrew (Klasing), Scott (Wolfes) and Charlie (Martin), Archer (Price) and Jake (Storey) and Caleb (Morris) and Henry (Mabbett). With the wind gusting at 20-30 mph at points during the round, this 7,200-yard golf course was one of the toughest links courses I have played. The fairways were soft and didn't run out, and the greens were firm. The views on some of hyena holes were just breathtaking.
Matt and I played well and the match was a very good one. Our best-ball score for the day was 6 under, which on that golf course was very good. Despite the good scoring, we still only won 3&2, which shows that the golf from our competitors was also to a high standard. I thoroughly enjoyed playing that course today. It was a grind and you had to hit very good shots to be rewarded. The best moment for me was holing a 15-foot birdie putt on 16 to win the match. Tomorrow, we get to play the Eden course, which again is a huge privilege. This has to be one of the best golfing trips I have ever been on. The whole team, including Coach Mays and the boosters, are having an awesome time here and wish we could stay longer!
Oct. 21 - Listen to the Wind Blow
This was our second time playing the Old Course and it was my favorite. We knew the wind was going to be stronger than the previous day, and it was. It was a consistent 25 mph with gusts upwards of 55. I loved every minute of it. Having to be so creative with shotmaking and landing areas is a challenge which I love. These sorts of conditions are completely new to most of the guys so it was great for them to be able to experience true links conditions. This isn't just hit it as hard as you can and drop it next to the pin. You have to be smart and a tactician. I remember hitting a 2 iron, which normally goes around 225 yards through the air, from 160. However, I hit one 2 iron 300 yards on the back nine.
One of the highlights for me was hitting driver into a 190 yard par three to 25 feet. It was so cool to be able to experience that kind of wind when we were over here. The walk down 17 and 18 was just as special as it was in the previous day. However, I'm not sure one could ever not appreciate how incredible that feeling is. Today was, for me, the most fun so far. Kim (Koivu) played very well. To be 1-under through 15 holes in those conditions was great golf. Tomorrow, we play our match against St Andrews, which I can't wait for. It will be a different golf course tomorrow so we will have to accept that we will not have any course knowledge.
Oct. 20 - The Old Course
Today we played the old course. Although words and pictures don't do it justice, I will try my best. Walking onto that first tee surrounded by such incredible history was a feeling like no other. The 100-yard fairway looked half that wide when you think of who has played here and some of the awesome moments it has witnessed. My group consisted of Kim (Koivu), Matt (Mierzejewski) and Jake (Storey). We had a fantastic time out there just taking it all in. The golf was of a high standard too. Despite Kim and Matt's tough start, some spectacular golf was played. Shot of the day I think has to go to Matt's bunker shot where he had to get on his knees to even think about making contact. He made up and down for a great birdie!
The most special moment for me was walking down 17 and 18. The view of the town was spectacular. Kim hit one of the best drives of the day down 17, where he split the fairway in two and was the longest of us all. My best shot all day was my 4 iron from the left rough on 17, which I hit a high draw to 10 feet. To hit such a cool shot on such a renowned and historic hole was phenomenal. The walk down 18 is something else. With the road and a building in the background and with the whole team watching us on 18, it was just a great way to end an incredible day. We as players can't thank the boosters and the school enough for making this trip possible.
Oct. 19 - The Journey
The past few days have been a blur for all of us, I believe. The journey was long and exhausting especially with such a long stop over at JFK. However, I think we can all agree that there is no doubt as to whether it was worth it. We haven't even played and yet we have all experienced a great deal of enriched culture. Once we arrived, despite some baggage hiccups, we had some lunch and then proceeded to Edinburgh Castle. For many of the guys, this was a completely alien thing to see with it being so old. It was awesome to walk round with director of golf Larry Mays, with some jokes along the way, and share in an eye-opening trip back in time.
After this, we left for our hotel. After around a 50 minute journey, we finally arrived, checked in and immediately made our way outside to see the 18th. The TV coverage really doesn't do it any justice as it truly is a very special place. Having seen this briefly we are all chomping at the bit to play tomorrow. It will be a fantastic day.
Oct. 23 - The Eden Course
Unfortunately, this was our last day of golf here in Scotland. For me, the trip has flown by. We had a slightly later tee time on the Eden Course, which is within walking distance from the Old Course. We all got to play with a booster and played better ball with the two best scores counting. I played with Matt (Mierzejewski), Barry Deal and James Bunch. The weather was great - a lot warmer than the previous day but still very, very windy. Having seen Coach Mays pipe one straight down the center of the first fairway, we knew that we would have to play well to take the win!
Both Matt and I played pretty well but Mr. Deal was on fire! I'm not quite sure where the 16 handicap came from, but one of the highlights of the day was Mr. Deal making a net-1 on hole number 8. It's tough to beat net aces. Once we finished the round, we had a great Gala dinner at the hotel where the prizes were given out. On behalf of the whole team, I think I am right in saying this was the best trip I have ever been on. The company of the boosters, Coach Mays and the parents made this a trip we will never forget. We can't thank everyone who was involved in making this happen enough.
Oct. 22 - Match Play
Today, we had the match. The format was four ball, better ball and two of the Georgia Southern guys play against one St. Andrews player and one player from the Scandinavian School of Golf. We played at the Torrence Course at the Fermont resort. The teams were: Matt (Mierzejewski) and I, Kim (Koivu) and Andrew (Klasing), Scott (Wolfes) and Charlie (Martin), Archer (Price) and Jake (Storey) and Caleb (Morris) and Henry (Mabbett). With the wind gusting at 20-30 mph at points during the round, this 7,200-yard golf course was one of the toughest links courses I have played. The fairways were soft and didn't run out, and the greens were firm. The views on some of hyena holes were just breathtaking.
Matt and I played well and the match was a very good one. Our best-ball score for the day was 6 under, which on that golf course was very good. Despite the good scoring, we still only won 3&2, which shows that the golf from our competitors was also to a high standard. I thoroughly enjoyed playing that course today. It was a grind and you had to hit very good shots to be rewarded. The best moment for me was holing a 15-foot birdie putt on 16 to win the match. Tomorrow, we get to play the Eden course, which again is a huge privilege. This has to be one of the best golfing trips I have ever been on. The whole team, including Coach Mays and the boosters, are having an awesome time here and wish we could stay longer!
Oct. 21 - Listen to the Wind Blow
This was our second time playing the Old Course and it was my favorite. We knew the wind was going to be stronger than the previous day, and it was. It was a consistent 25 mph with gusts upwards of 55. I loved every minute of it. Having to be so creative with shotmaking and landing areas is a challenge which I love. These sorts of conditions are completely new to most of the guys so it was great for them to be able to experience true links conditions. This isn't just hit it as hard as you can and drop it next to the pin. You have to be smart and a tactician. I remember hitting a 2 iron, which normally goes around 225 yards through the air, from 160. However, I hit one 2 iron 300 yards on the back nine.
One of the highlights for me was hitting driver into a 190 yard par three to 25 feet. It was so cool to be able to experience that kind of wind when we were over here. The walk down 17 and 18 was just as special as it was in the previous day. However, I'm not sure one could ever not appreciate how incredible that feeling is. Today was, for me, the most fun so far. Kim (Koivu) played very well. To be 1-under through 15 holes in those conditions was great golf. Tomorrow, we play our match against St Andrews, which I can't wait for. It will be a different golf course tomorrow so we will have to accept that we will not have any course knowledge.
Oct. 20 - The Old Course
Today we played the old course. Although words and pictures don't do it justice, I will try my best. Walking onto that first tee surrounded by such incredible history was a feeling like no other. The 100-yard fairway looked half that wide when you think of who has played here and some of the awesome moments it has witnessed. My group consisted of Kim (Koivu), Matt (Mierzejewski) and Jake (Storey). We had a fantastic time out there just taking it all in. The golf was of a high standard too. Despite Kim and Matt's tough start, some spectacular golf was played. Shot of the day I think has to go to Matt's bunker shot where he had to get on his knees to even think about making contact. He made up and down for a great birdie!
The most special moment for me was walking down 17 and 18. The view of the town was spectacular. Kim hit one of the best drives of the day down 17, where he split the fairway in two and was the longest of us all. My best shot all day was my 4 iron from the left rough on 17, which I hit a high draw to 10 feet. To hit such a cool shot on such a renowned and historic hole was phenomenal. The walk down 18 is something else. With the road and a building in the background and with the whole team watching us on 18, it was just a great way to end an incredible day. We as players can't thank the boosters and the school enough for making this trip possible.
Oct. 19 - The Journey
The past few days have been a blur for all of us, I believe. The journey was long and exhausting especially with such a long stop over at JFK. However, I think we can all agree that there is no doubt as to whether it was worth it. We haven't even played and yet we have all experienced a great deal of enriched culture. Once we arrived, despite some baggage hiccups, we had some lunch and then proceeded to Edinburgh Castle. For many of the guys, this was a completely alien thing to see with it being so old. It was awesome to walk round with director of golf Larry Mays, with some jokes along the way, and share in an eye-opening trip back in time.
After this, we left for our hotel. After around a 50 minute journey, we finally arrived, checked in and immediately made our way outside to see the 18th. The TV coverage really doesn't do it any justice as it truly is a very special place. Having seen this briefly we are all chomping at the bit to play tomorrow. It will be a fantastic day.
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