Alfred Hitchcock would have approved of the R&A’s way of dealing with pesky seagulls.
A flock of killer birds has been employed to keep the skies over the Old Course clear of the flying rats who regularly dive-bomb spectators in search of scraps. An Indian Eagle Owl, an African Tawny Eagle and a Harris Hawk – none of which appeared in Hitchcock’s 1963 film The Birds – are being used to scare off the unwelcome visitors to The Open.
TIGER WOODS owes caddie Billy Foster big time. US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick’s bagman revealed how he came to Tiger’ s rescue when the pair headed for the gents at the 2002 Ryder Cup. After Billy spotted that the first cubicle was out of toilet paper he headed for the adjoining trap.Seconds later he heard the lock click next door and smiled at the thought of the 15-time major winner being caught short.
Taking pity on Tiger he slipped several sheets under the partition. When a sheepish Tiger emerged later he told his saviour: “That’s one I owe you, Billy.”
SHOWBIZ personalities are out in force in St Andrews. Roy Hay of Culture Club was spotted the other evening enjoying a libation with several American visitors at the New Club. Several other musicians are reported to be in town, but no sighting of Boy George, yet!
FRIENDSHIP is a lot of things to a lot of people.
For me it’s when a former colleague volunteers to undertake a two-mile round trip by shanks’ pony to retrieve my specs.
I was in danger of making a real spectacle of myself staggering around the media centre when I left my glasses behind at my hall of residence.
But my friend, formerly of this parish, generously volunteered to spare my aging legs and vision was promptly restored.
Thanks, Euan.
SANDY LYLE has played his last Open, but the 1985 champion at Sandwich was in town on Tuesday evening to attend not one but two special events.
Immediately following the Champions’ Dinner at R&A headquarters, Sandy hot-footed it to the tented village to make an appearance at the Association of Golf Writers’ Dinner.
Resplendent in kilt with all the trimmings the ever popular Sandy received warm applause when he was presented with the AGW Arnold Palmer Open Award in recognition of his close relationship with the hacks.
READ NEXT
