Stu

Regular readers of this blog and indeed all those who have gone back to the first entries will know that I started my quest to play every course in Scotland in 2009, with the idea that I'd go round by myself.  A change of plan was made late that year when I was joined by a couple of younger guys, Craig Watson and Stu Fleming.  Craig was a Scottish Government auditor at the time and we'd met some years earlier through him working on financial records associated with my Scottish Government work.  Craig and Stu had been best friends since early school days but I first met Stu when we got together for a bounce game at the Glen GC in 2009.  Our first new course was at Archerfield Dirleton in November that year, for what would be many rounds the three of us would have together. 

This is Craig and Stu, inseparable buddies.

Being old enough to be their fathers, I'd thought there might be a slight disconnect between myself and these lads, but golf and more generally the enjoyment of life and touring round the country together meant we were quickly good friends sharing a common goal.  Craig and Stu had young family responsibilities and busy jobs that limited the progress they could make towards our target of playing every course and as the blog shows, most of my new courses were solo trips.  However, we'd a great time together playing remote courses on the Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, Fair Isle, Stroma and at Dundonald, Loch Lomond and umpteen lesser known places.

I mention all of this because a few days ago Craig phoned me with the terrible news that Stu had died. The circumstances aren't relevant to this blog. Suffice to say that his family have lost a truly good son, husband and father and Craig has lost his life long best friend.  I'd not seen much of Stu in recent years, apart from when he did some electrical work at my then new house in 2019.  He was so happy then, full of life and plans for the future and it's really tragic that for all the fun the three of us had, Stu will not be around to share in any of our further adventures.  Craig is a member at clubs in Carnoustie and Panmure (playing off 0.5 having got down to scratch!!!) and we'll be playing together there later this year, and hopefully also at Dunbar and the Glen where I'm still a member.  I'll maybe also join Craig when he's playing what for him will be new courses in his own continuing quest to complete the journey around every Scottish course, but it just won't be the same without Stu. 

This is the three of us, Stu on the right, on our way to Fair Isle, the remotest and one of the oddest golf course in Scotland. I hope that one day another golfer will find some of the balls that we lost that day and wonder who was so wayward...... for the record, it wisnae me!  Use the search box near the top left of the blog, key in Fair Isle and open the You Tube links about that particular trip.  One of our best golfing experiences!

I also hope that when you read this particular blog entry, you will look back to some entries that include Stu e.g. Stroma, North Ronaldsay or Scarista on the Isle of Harris.  He was such a good guy and I treasure the memories I have of the three of us playing together and sharing the journey. 

Stu and I on the final green of the North Ronaldsay course. The clubhouse had seen better days many years before and the course no longer exists, having been abandoned and lost to the ravages of the weather.  I suspect that ours was one of the last rounds to be played there.

The lads in action at Askernish, trying to retrieve a ball from one of the many rabbit holes there.  

Note too the distinctive yellow golf bag that served me so well for most of my journey around Scotland.  It finally fell apart a few years ago but after a few indifferent bags since, I've recently tracked down a similarly bright bag that will hopefully last a good few years, starting at Muirfield next week, weather permitting.

No prizes for guessing where this photo was taken! (3rd Tee, Dunbar GC)