Tag: http://www.hiltonhead.com

Countries, Deals, Europe, Pilgrimage, Sport

Slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open

funtime65

And because you need a thick wedge for the merch anything that’s free is welcome, which is why a slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open.

Golf fans rolling off the train to Royal Troon all week have been greeted by the Almighty’s Army handing out free tote bags.

With a sacred message on the bags, a John’s Gospel with ‘God’s Word for you’ and God loves Ayrshire scrolled on it.

God loves Bandanaman, of course, and you too obviously, but mostly Bandanaman!

Hilton Head of the table

First course: The Visit Hilton Head table, Troon

As do Visit Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah/Hilton Head International in Georgia.

As they host me, with a little help from golfing knight Sir Nick Faldo, in the Engravers suite (£1,175pp).

The First Reading: What the Good Book says

Now by the end of play today this year’s Champion Golfer may very well credit God for His part in their success.

Of course, God is a handy ally to have on the bag, to use golfing parlance.

Stay the course

On the bag: Words of inspiration

The evidence is all there in the booklet you’ve just been given with passages from The Bible.

With its headlines The Master Stroke, Timing is Right, Following Through, Taking Part and True Victory.

And this is the bit that will drive on whoever wins today to become Champion Golfer of the Year.

Say a little prayer: In Medjugorje

‘Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Now God as you can see is everywhere but perhaps more visible in The Vatican, the Holywood of Lourdes and Marian sites Fatima, Knock and Medjugorje.

And on pilgrimages such as a Camino or Via Francigena.

God is all around us

Tobago style: Caribbean church

But I always also like to seek him out wherever I go.

On the premise that you find the locals where they play and pray.

And so I’ve joined in evangelical Sunday Service in Tobago and praised Allah in mosques from Morocco to Sarajevo, Istanbul and Jordan.

The Man in the Middle: With Phil, Faldo and Funtime Jimmy

I’ve often felt too the Hand of God on my shoulder to keep me on the right path as I’ve wandered off course.

All of which the missionaries on the road to Troon are championing.

So though it may be tempting don’t just walk past the bag-carriers.

Because a slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open.

 

America, Countries, Sport, UK

Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s

funtime65

When you’re in the presence of a golfing knight it does well to bow down, which is how Hilton Head and troosers knees and Faldo’s all came about.

Picture the scene, a mini-stage on the Engravers suite on the top floor of the Origins building.

At Royal Troon golf course at the 152nd Open Golf Championship.

And the six-time major golf champion has just taken a question from me from the floor.

He asks for a glass of water while the microphone comes my way.

Earning our stripes: Phil, Sir Nick and Myself

And in the interim I move forward, bend down and move my phone by his feet to pick up his pronouncements.

When the Great Man startled by the intrusion asks in front of the packed gallery?

‘What are you doin’? You trying to get up ma troosers?’

When I explained I was merely capturing his words for posterity it broke the ice.

Kneeling at the feet of a great

Course it is: Hilton Head

Sir Nick was good enough to share with us his fond memories of winning his first Open in ‘the pea-green soup’ of my local course, Muirfield back in 1987.

And following another Open again at St Andrews, the home of golf, returning to do it all again at Muirfield.

And his last four holes to win the Claret Jug being the best he has ever played.

Jacket required: Ben Crenshaw helps Nick Faldo on with his Masters green jacket

The Engravers experience (£1,175pp) for day ticket, all-inclusive food and drink, access to the course.

And the chance to ask a question of a golfing great… and even kneel at their feet.

Sir Nick is, of course, a giant now of the game so the chance to hear him exclusively in an intimate setting is a treat.

Troon the houses

The Englishman, still looking like a matinee idol at 67, recalled his earliest days, camping and playing the 1973 Open.

While Tony Jacklin gave eventual winner Tom Weiskopf a lift in his Rolls-Royce.

That for us was the year the family drove down to South Ayrshire from Glasgow.

Only for my Dear Old Dad to decide not to brave out the traffic.

But rather turn the car around and drive us all back to watch it on TV.

Sir Nick also shared his memories of one of the breakthrough moments of his career.

Prompted by our table and the Hilton Head community, Savannah/Hilton Head International and their friends and promoters.

Hilton Head for the top

It’s a cruise: Hilton Head Island

It was the then plain Nick’s first tourney win on American soil, the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

And Sir Nick admitted he approached the event in a Monte Carlo or Bust fashion but came through the woods and the trees to deliver.

And it piques this social golfer but gallery fan to look to plan my visit out there.

The ripples of laughter long subsided from my bold introduction from earlier.

Prize guy: And there was Claret drunk

And having soaked in Sir Nick’s views on everything from today’s tech to Pringle jumpers and the taxman to LIV golf (not a big fan).

Sir Nick wraps it all up by giving seemingly everyone in the room a photo with him and signing autographs.

I wish him well and tell him he will be very welcome back at Muirfield, where hopefully The Open will return soon.

And when he does he may very well be looking out for me… the eager fan with a phone and I know I’d be recalling Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s.