I’ve just gotten back from the Oxford University Golf Club’s trip to Northern Ireland–the end of my golf season and a fantastic time. We went into Belfast, staying there for St. Patrick’s Day (the rest of the guys had to tread lightly, as I was the only one on the team who wasn’t English). I saw my friend Sarah, and we had a great evening.

Then, the golf. I’m thankful for the golf team for several reasons. First, the friends. I’m here on the Marshall Scholarship, a US-UK ambassadorial program. But many Marshalls complain that while they are in the UK, it’s difficult to actually make British friends. The British aren’t as friendly as the Americans. They are nice, but it’s tougher to get to know them. An American can make friends with another American in thirty minutes at a bus stop. It takes thirty years sometimes to get to know the British. To be fair, they are very loyal to their friends. They have a small number, and are fiercely good to those who they are close to. But they don’t let their guard down for a long time. Also, Oxford is only about 15% British in the graduate community–so not only is it hard getting to know British people, it’s hard just MEETING them. Playing golf, though, is a way to get to know some really good people. Golf is a big cultural part of the UK–it was invented in Scotland–and the golf team is almost all British. Playing matches every weekend, then, is a great way to actually get to know these guys. And I’ve gotten pretty close with a few of them–it’s taken time, but I have.

Second, the travel. Most visitors to the UK go to London, Oxford, Cambridge, maybe Edinburgh. But I’ve gotten to see a lot more of the country–going to Hastings, Hunstanton, Norfolk, Leicester, and Luffenham, to name a few. We’ve stayed Saturday nights in B&Bs in Littlestone, and gotten lost in Ballintoy. And this trip to Northern Ireland–for beautiful courses and great times–was just a reason. I’ve covered a lot of this small island (or pair of islands), and I’ve gotten to know it well.

Third, the golf. It’s much more sociable here, as I’ve said in previous posts. We play match play, so if you hit a bad shot, you just pick up and move on. We “lunch.” We play for fun. And while playing a lot, I’ve actually improved a great deal. And we get to play stellar courses–such as Royal County Down, now my favorite course I’ve ever played. The holes themselves are a postcard every tee box. And the mountains of Mourne sweep from the backdrop of the course into the ocean–a majestic backdrop for every shot. A special place. Portrush is perhaps a more traditional links course, and juts against the famous White Cliffs and Giant’s Causeway–again, beautiful.

Golf has been the best unexpected surprise this year. It’s a great game, and it’s contributed a lot to making friends and learning about this country. I’ve included a few pictures so you can see the most beautiful course I’ve played, and several of the best.

Ross on the 7th at Royal County Down Ross on the 7th at Royal County Down


Ross on the 6th tee at Portrush

The 9th fairway at Royal County Down. the most stunning view in golf. It’s a blind drive over an uphill–you walk up the hill and, BAM! you see the 9th fairway (on the right) and the 1st hole (on the left) with the clubhouse, the mountains, and the sea. You can also see, if you look closely, my drive as the white speck on the left-hand side of the right fairway. (I made par to win the hole.)

The 5th green at Royal Portrush.

Oxford

All the Oxford folks at the Giants’ Causeway in Northern Ireland.