Date: June 08, 2009
Author:

Stacey Keating blog: Aces in Ascot

Stacey Keating writes from England St Andrews is my version on Disneyland! I just love it. I actually didn t really suffer jet lag which was good. On the next day, we went out to the course and got a feel of the place and the different conditions. It was a little colder, but nothing too bad! Played the New Course in +4 which I was quite ok considering the conditions. Windiest conditions I have played in a long time! -2 was leading. The next day we played 2 rounds on the famous Old Course I didn t play well and finished +4 in the morning but hit it well in the afternoon and finished -2 and tied 14th. Overall not a great result, but such an experience playing such an amazing golf course and learning so much about the different style of golf. We were all very sad to leave St Andrews, not only because of the golf course, but we stayed with a lovely lady, Rosemary, who spoiled us rotten and we enjoyed her company. From St Andrews we made our way to Ascot, west of London. We stayed at a massive farm house just 5 minutes from the course! I got the room with the bed with a movable mattress-like you can sit up, put your feet up or select a massage option! We were competing in a 36 holes event, Astor Salver at Berkshire Golf Club. It&aposs the closest thing I have seen to Augusta and I know that&aposs a big call. Didn t get off to the greatest of starts-3 over until the 7th-then I had a HOLE-IN-1! Hit a 5 iron, 175 yards (I have converted!) that rolled nicely in! So then after calming myself down I got my round going, with a total of seven birdies, a double, five bogeys and of course the hole in one to give me -2. Very up and down day you could say! Then for the afternoon round.. didn t hit it well and sort of struggled around for a total of +3 which put me tied for 11th-so nothing flash! But more excitingly an Australian won the event! National Squad team mate Whitney Hillier from WA won on a grand total of -9! Very exciting for her! Now we head off on our next adventure- Off into London to practice (we have practice facilities in there) to be ready for the British Amateur in Wales.