Well I'm just back in England from the Scottish Open on the Isle of Mull.
It would be nigh impossible to describe just how beautiful, fun and down-right great this event, place and group of players is.
Played on the estates of Torloisk, just north of the course in Fanmore.
It was like walking through a world imagined by Tolkien.
The estate has laid basicly untouched for close to 100 years.
Giant trees fallen over, roots and all. "As if some giant had been searching for mushrooms." One of the players had said. And moss everywhere.
53 players attended. First round random grouping. Which I have always favored. Allowed me to play with a junior, (Hardly, he was 16yo and 6ft tall and threw as far as me. Maybe farther.) an am master.(I don't think he ever stopped smiling) and am old friend I met at worlds a couple of times. Simon Luard.
Each round after that, everyone gets grouped by score, regardless of division.
Fantastic weather, for Mull, allowed me to score well, and I was happy to get to play with some of the best in the United Kingdom. Along with Jan Bael from Germany, I got to play golf with Charlie Mead and Jester Wilson. Later rounds Jan, Jester and I were joined by Liam Young. conspicuiosly missing from our group was my host for my stay in Europe. Derek Robins had a rough start in the tourny. But he battled his way back to land the fifth spot in the finals.
A six hole playoff that gathered a good sized gallery.
Jan had a slight lead going in to the finals, and he only widened the gap. Good play from a great player.

I know this is getting long for a post.

Mull was amazing. If you get the opportunity, Don't hesitate. Pack your waterproofs and your 'brelly and catch the ferry. To Mull and the Scottish Open.

Next up: Geneva and the European Masters.

Congrats on your finish at the Isle of Mull, not bad for a Joisey guy. Looking forward to hearing about more of your adventure. Best of luck and travel safe. :cool:

Well, I'm back from Geneva and the European Masters.

Geneva Rocks!

I met Fernando Brown the week of flying out to Switzerland.
Fernando is an American, living in the UK. He and another American, Scott Reek were heading to the event. so I tagged along.
We were met by the TD, Boris Lazzarotto, at the airport and were chauffered to the course and the dormitory we would be staying at.

The weather was threatening but thankfully it never rained on us the whole weekend.
Friday was to be a round of doubles. Scott and Fernando were partners for this and I looked for someone to be without a partner so I could play. Alas I was odd man out and didn't want to play solo.
I got to visit Geneva that afternoon and early evening.
My impression...Beautiful and expensive. New York expensive.

I got back late to find my traveling companions took second place. Well a tie for second behind two Swedish players, Emil Isaksson and Pierre Kristofferson
.
Saturday arrived quick and after the first round I found my self in first place.
Second round was led by Pierre, and the third by Emil.
Fourth round was a final 9 holes and was composed of...
Emil Isaksson
Bob Graham
Pierre Kristofferson
Fernando Brown
Loic Dumont
Andreas Gertsch

Emil was two ahead of me,
I was two ahead of Pierre,
Four behind him was Fernando,
and Tied one behind him were Loic and Andreas.


It was a tight battle, and with two holes left there was a three way tie between myself and Pierre and Emil.

Second to last hole was a simple long hole...Threes.
The last hole was a birdie hole on a small mound. Pierre threw short by 100ft. I put mine within 15ft and Emil was closer than me.

Pierre nails it to force a three way tie for a sudden death playoff.

Playoff hole one is a long flatish hole with a small tree blocking the hyzer finish.
Pierre throws near the tree. 40ft short.
I throw pin high and 50ft to the left.
Emil is 70ft shy and right.

Emil parks the approach.
I drain my putt.
Pierre is wide right with his shot, and I find I have won.

Some Pics-
http://www.swissdiscgolf.ch/4_Galerie/Geneva05/LesEvaux2005/index.html

This was a wonderful event, filled with some of the greatest people I've met.
Boris did a great job with all the different Languages and needs of the players.
I'll be learning more french so I can visit more often.

Next up,
Oslo, Norway.

it truly is an amazing experience to travel overseas and find others who share the disc golfing spirit. from amsterdam to tokyo i've made friends through d.g. and have many "homes away from home"

here's hoping your journey will inspire some of your new friends to travel to the states and they will, in turn, inspire more americans to travel around the world in search of new courses, experiences and friends.

peace through disc, have a safe trip.

When I went over-seas I didn't even know about this great sport, so it is one of my top goals to play dg in every country that I go to now! I think it would be great to head over to Amsterdam and attend the lowlands festival, play dg, and eat lots of space cakes! :D:D:D:D

It was great to meet and play golf with you Bob, I hope to see you again, either back in Europe, or hopefully if myself Gwyn and Jester make it over for some variety of Worlds next year, as we're planning to.

Hey bob, it was good meeting and traveling with you to switzerland. I made that CD with all of those pictures, including Pierre saving 100ft putt and your sudden death 50 footer. Thanks for the company and I hope to see you again

Scott