HUMBLE BEGINNINGS


Time then to look over the past 21 years of Bears’ activity. I sit in Hamar in Shetland, far from the thwack of club on ball, my Kilspindie Golf Club cap on as my muse. My memory, somewhat faulty, drifts back to 1980… the early years of Thatcher government…

1980. The first year of the Bears is a very distant memory. It was played on the Braids #1 by John, Duncan and Gordon. Robbo won with a 93. Others may remember something of this. We probably drove up there in Robbo’s old Mini, which was plenty spacious for our tiny wee bags and half sets of motley wooden woods and leather-gripped irons.

Being a three-some, it was decided to be the Three Bears Competition - and no trophy existed yet.Shortly afterwards, it was decided to purchase a trophy, a pewter mug with a list of all the Open Champions up to 1980. The idea was to add our names to it after this. The original trophy was later lost between a Cocktail Bar in George Street (Probably called ‘Raffles’ or ‘Dodgers’ or ‘Blooters’) and a Waverley Station Buffet, where the Bears saw Tommo off on his train back to the wild and windy Shetlands.

1981. The competition was greatly expanded, with three rounds in total over North Berwick (East), and two rounds in one day at….Ravelston. (Which is really 4 rounds as it’s a short 9-holer.) Robbo won, just, from the other two. Robbo’s totals: 89, 92, 93. How he scored higher round Ravelston compared to N. Berwick is beyond me, but he was one stroke below handicap there.

1982 These previous forays were in and around Edinburgh. In 1982, we took a big step forward with the advent of a holiday home in Crail, courtesy of D. Heal. It was also the first appearance of Dave Hillson. We went closer to the true home of golf with games at Balcomie, Elie and The Eden (St. Andrews).Robbo, I think, was victorious. Scores being 87, 90, 85, 8 under par. Still only three rounds played in late July.Playing a round at Elie is a tortuous process. First, you go there to put your name in the ballot; then you go back to see your tee-off time; then you go to play. It’s a rather snooty and exclusive place, although you could gain access to the clubhouse in later years and even get a plate of sandwiches.The green keeper’s periscope to check on the play at the first is worthy of note. On the off-course side, we quickly developed a one-person, one meal rota. Robbo’s speciality was usually chicken and sweet corn lasagne; Duncan’s was maybe pork with apricots; Dave’s was ?? and Gordon usually produced some kind of gargantuan fish in pastry or a curry which usually took several hours to prepare. By this time, other golfers were washed and changed but very weary. Filling their bellies at a late hour was a tactic by Gordon to (a) prevent them sleeping and (b) make them weary for the day ahead. It never usually worked tho’.As well as the ‘gowf’, tennis was often a feature. After 36 holes of golf, 3 sets of doubles was hard going but we did it. Sometimes putting and/or a fish supper in Ston Andraes or Crail was on the cards, followed by a game of Trivial Pursuit.

1983 Back to Crail, with a round at the New Course in St Andrews and a round at the Eden. Time in Crail was maybe short this week because the last round of the three was played at the Braids. Or was Dave late in returning from some exotic foreign holiday? Robbo’s total: 92, 87, 91 – level par, playing to handicap.A fair bit of sight seeing and different sports were tried then a days. Trips to Kellie Castle, the steam railway and bowls, cricket and tennis were regular features. We were not so obsessed with playing golf as we were in later years.