I hung up my endoscope 14 years ago. Now my golf clubs can join them in the closet. My legs are reluctant to take me from the golf cart to the green (if ever I found one.)
For the last 25 years I have had the great pleasure of playing at Bulls Bay club in Awendaw, about 20 miles north of Charleston, SC. It is a golf club, not a country club. No tennis or pool, no fuss, just great links, special staff (and quality food). Designed by legendary Mike Strantz, the course is very unusual for this area of the “low country”. He built hills to challenge us. The clubhouse may be the highest point on the coast from Miami to New York.
It also has an unique custom. Winners of tournaments have to sit on the a live bull called Titleist.
The base of a great teacher, Rickey Sullivan, and an always fun challenger, Tom Keane
I started my love/hate relationship with golf just 75 years ago, at “Wormsley golf club” near our home in Herefordshire, England. Some Wednesdays I got to play with my dad’s medical partner, Doug Chandler, and Pat the local vicar.
Playing at other times meant a 12-mile bike ride up and down hills with my clubs slung over my back. Happily, there were only a few lightweight hickories.
I am slightly embarrassed to say that my game took off when I was a medical student. I was dragged off to play frequently by three serious golfers. I had a golf swing in those days! We had a reunion recently just 50 years later.
My handicap fell quickly, and I had fun representing London University playing against many famous clubs every weekend.
A medical career and domestic duties curtailed my play for many years. But I got to enjoy golf vicariously through my son, Andy, who starred in Amateur golf and joined the European tour. I caddied for him in the Open, twice. We had terrific fun together traveling with friends to wonderful courses in many countries, not least in Ireland.
Marion and I loved playing some great courses, often with Linda and Marion Wier, and special friends “down under”
All time favorites? Bandon Dunes in Oregon (golf heaven), Cypress point, Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand)…..
Oh, and did I mention, I played 63 holes one day at Augusta National?
We capped it all at Bulls Bay. Our last 9 holes with Jim and Anne Anderson, Nov 30 2025.
