Women’s Golf: Buckeyes Reflect on Trip to Scotland – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
The Ohio State women’s golf team concluded their fall season last weekend with a stellar runner-up finish at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C. Prior to beginning their fall tournament schedule, the Buckeyes traveled to Scotland for a week to prepare for the upcoming 2008-09 season.
Members of the team, along with head coach Therese Hession and assistant coach Amy Langhals, reflect on their favorite moments and adventures across the pond.
Therese Hession, head coach
We were playing Turnberry, site of the 2009 British Open, and it began to rain the last four holes. Of course it rains in Scotland, so I did not want to use my umbrella. I was putting out on the 17th in a steady rain, and from the Westin Hotel on the hill above the course a bagpiper came out of the hotel playing music! I putted out and played the 18th to the sound of the bagpipes. It was a very special moment for me Scottish golf at it’s finest!
My other special day was playing at St Andrews. We played the New Course in the morning and in the afternoon we walked around the town, went into the British Golf Museum and walked several holes on the Old Course’. For the first time in my life I really felt the history of the game. After watching many British Open’s and competing in one Women’s British Open, this truly was the history of the game at its finest.
Amy Langhals, assistant coach
It is very difficult for me to pin-point one part of the trip as a highlight, as the whole trip for me was beyond what I imagined! First the experience of driving on the opposite side of the road from the opposite side of the car is something I will never forget. Driving is an everyday occurrence that I took for granted. Our minds get so programmed that a task that seems so effortless was so overwhelming. I was exhausted mentally and physically just trying to get us from point A to point B. Although this was a very exciting adventure I would not say this was the highlight.
The absolute best part of this trip was traveling to St. Andrews and standing on the bridge where many of the greats have crossed is an event that I will never forget. I truly felt the history of St. Andrews and this crazy game we call golf. I have a better respect for the game and wish this was an experience I could have witnessed in my playing career. I was very fortunate to have seen the true “home of golf” and this for me was definitely a trip of a lifetime!
Jessica Hauser, senior
I loved everything! My favorite course was probably Kingsbarns with Turnberry and Royal Troon coming in as close seconds. Perhaps the only reason I liked Kingsbarns better was because we played it on a sunny day! All three courses have something in common … the sea! Turnberry and Royal Troon are on the west coast of Scotland on the Atlantic Ocean. Kingsbarns is on the east coast with the North Sea bordering it. I loved all three of these courses. I also loved being at St. Andrews. There is so much history in that quaint town. It is amazing being there and seeing where golf began. It was an incredible trip that I will never forget.
In Hong Lim, sophomore
This was a once in a life time trip to the home of golf. Scotland was simply amazing and I would like to go back sometime for sure. We played many of top golf courses that we usually watch on TV it felt like I was playing golf in fantasy world and we met nice Scottish people who welcomed us.
What I most liked about the trip was that we stayed in cottages rather than hotels. I could experience a unique side of Scotland and we got to bond with each other. Oh, I cannot forget about all the food I ate too. I don’t think I have so much fish in my life. I do not know a lot about fish but they just melted in my mouth. To top off great fish, I tried haggis too. I actually liked haggis. My tip is to not think about what it is made out of and just enjoy it.
What I remember the most is the castle in Edinburgh with Scottish music in background. It was just like the movie where everything fit together and so peaceful. I really loved being in Scotland with my teammates and coaches and the memory of Scotland will be with me forever.
Emma Jandel, junior co-captain
Scotland was a trip of a lifetime. Everyday was filled with something new and exciting. In Scotland, golf is a part of their culture and I loved it. Our final day, we got to play at Royal Troon, one of the most prestigious golf courses in Scotland or even the world. They recently hosted the British Senior Open and have previously hosted several British Opens. Mr. Webster (Gemma’s father) organized a match for us. We played 10 members from Royal Troon, each team paired up and played a two man best ball match. The guys were very competitive to say the least. They came prepared in their matching sweater vests and wanted to show us up, but of course that did not happen. Gemma and I teamed up to beat our guys 7 and 5! And we won every match but one.
The guys we played with were filled with great stories about past tournaments and history. It was awesome hearing stories about Jack Nicklaus and other greats in the British Open. Then after we played we hung out and socialized in the clubhouse, which is part of the whole Scotland experience. Like I said earlier, golf is part of their culture and the guys then made a night of it. It was a wonderful day, one that I will always remember.
Nara Shin, freshman
Everyday was a memorable moment in Scotland, but if I had to choose one, it would definitely be getting to visit the historical St. Andrews. I have only seen it on television or on magazines, so I felt very fortunate to actually see it in person. It was not just the golf course that made it amazing, but the entire town was something you would see in old movies. I couldn’t take by eyes off the ancient buildings that lined up along the golf course.
Being able to set foot on a place that other golf legends have is very special and sometimes I wondered if it’s actually just a dream. The famous bridge on the 18th hole was very different than what I had seen on T.V. When I got on the bridge, it felt like an attraction you would see at Disneyworld with everyone wanting to take pictures on it. I tried to capture every little detail thoroughly to make it unforgettable and fulfill what pictures can’t explain. Not many people get to visit the home of golf in their lifetime, so this experience was absolutely wonderful.
Gemma Webster, senior co-captain
The best part of the trip for me was the final day at Royal Troon. This day ran extremely smoothly and summed up the week perfectly. We were met by my Dad’s partner Ross, who had arranged for 10 gentlemen to play against us. We met up for lunch and this gave our team a chance to meet our opposition. These guys were not just here to make up numbers they were here to win! They all made a huge effort and all turned up very smart in matching uniforms. Two Ohio State girls were paired against two of the men.
I played with my co-captain Emma and together we made a very impressive pairing and had the biggest win for the Buckeyes that day. The men we were playing with told my dad that they didn’t know whether to be ‘impressed’ by our golf out ‘depressed’ with the result. They all treated us very well that day and were great hosts as well as sportsmen. There were lots of laughs and Scottish jokes being shared as the girls played and this made the day very memorable.
After our match we headed to a cozy Scottish restaurant nearby and had a nice dinner with the team and my parents. For me this day was perfect. I couldn’t have asked for it to have gone any better. The company, the golf course, the weather, the setting, the organization was done well and I was very proud to be a part of it.
Jennifer Cassidy, senior
My favorite part from the trip to Scotland has to have been the final day when we played at Royal Troon. The day began as usual with another adventure in the vans. After a few hours, we arrived at the course and were promptly greeted and taken inside to meet the group of men the Gemma’s dad had arranged for us to play with. They were a very fun, energetic group of men and two people from our team would play with two of them.
It was the most fun round in Scotland in my opinion. I had a great time getting to play with them and learn some new Scottish golf terms. The men showed up ready to play; they had matching outfits and wanted to play a match with us. Not only were they a lot of fun to play with, but the course was amazing. It was what I would picture Scotland golf to be like. The greens were large, the bunkers were deep, and the heather was not far off of the fairway and pretty thick. We got to experience more wind than in the first several days.
The set of courses that we played in the week that we were there was a trip of a lifetime. None of us could ever repeat that week or have as much fun as we did as a team. It is hard to believe that it has come and past, but it is a trip that none of us will ever forget.
