(Editor’s note: Jill sent me the following dispatch about a week ago.)
By Jill McGill
Special to ARMCHAIR GOLF
I’m in London waiting for my flight to Kuwait. I’m doing a goodwill trip in Iraq again this summer. It was so rewarding last year I couldn’t say no.
I just finished playing in the British and spending a week in Wales. There was a bright spot in my golf: winning the British qualifier. I think I wore myself out before the actual event started, which was a bummer.
I love playing over here. Not sure I would like to do it 365 days a year, but it is a great change.
This last week the theme was how golf is so rewarding. I found myself staring at the Harlech Castle while playing Royal St. David Golf Course for a week. It is located on the west coast of Wales. The town itself is out of a storybook.
Without golf I know I would never have seen many parts of the world: Southport, Lytham, Harlech, Criccieth and so on. Well, maybe if I was a historian.
Reflecting on the week in Wales, I think part of not playing relaxed had to do with the drive to the course every day. I’ve never experienced roads like the ones from Criccieth to Harlech. The highlight every day was an over-under bet Patrick and I placed on how many cars would come over the one-way family-owned toll bridge while we waited on the other side for the light to turn green. I think the side gap was about two feet on either side of the car.
It would be impossible to count the number of sheep on the way to the course. And we never received an answer on what the color coding on the animals meant.
When the sun was shining, the landscape views were stunning. I imagine that driving the northwest coast of Wales is similar to the California coast drive experience. I would recommend it to anybody. This part of the world is a gem.
You must have patience and a good ear; the accent can be heavy. And I give a thumbs up to the ham and cheese baguette.
For more on Jill, visit JillMcGill.com and follow her on Twitter at Twitter.com/jillymcgilly .
I always enjoy reading Jill's comments about how things are going in her world. I hope she makes her mark in golf but most of all I hope she's enjoying the journey. Good on you, Jill.
The roads in that part of Wales can be interesting to say the least. I know the course well and it must have been an experience for anyone not used to it.
A very enjoyable post.
Thanks Jill