It is on my short list of greatest movies ever and I’m sure that has something to do with the venue for the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire.
The British film won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1981. It is the fact-based story of Olympic champions Eric Liddell, a Scot, and Englishman Harold Abrahams.
The famous beach scenes which accompany the inspirational theme music were filmed at West Sands, the beach alongside the Old Course at St. Andrews. The very last scene of the opening credits crosses the first and 18th holes of the Old Course at St. Andrews, with the Royal and Ancient as a backdrop. A plaque commemorates the film. Continue Reading…
Posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago at 5:06 am. Add a comment
(Road Trips will take you along with me and my playing partners to some of the unique courses we’ve played recently. Enjoy the trip)
SANIBEL ISLAND, Fl. – If you’re looking for a pristine setting and a terrific member’s course that will elevate the comfort level, you can’t go wrong at The Sanctuary.
If you’ve followed my writings you know that I place a great emphasis on golf courses designed, built and operated with the members in mind. I can think of few examples I have encountered which surpass The Sanctuary in that regard.
This is a golf course members can play, enjoy and be challenged by every time. That’s as high a compliment as I can give. Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 10:27 am. Add a comment
(Road Trips will take you along with me and my playing partners to some of the unique courses we’ve played recently. Enjoy the trip)
SAN JACINTO, Ca. – The Country Club at Soboba Springs, owned and operated by the Band of Liuseno Indians, is adjacent to the casino by same name.
An original Desmond Muirhead design, the course recently underwent substantial renovation by Cary Bickler in preparation for its first foray into tour golf. The Nationwide Tour’s Soboba Classic will be held at the San Jacinto, California, course for the first time September 28-October 4.
San Jacinto is nestled in mountains between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, about 30 miles west of the Palm Springs area. Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 10:22 am. Add a comment
Christopher B. Berlin is the new general manager at Oakland Hills Country Club. He replaces Rick Bayliss, who resigned at the end of last year.
Berlin arrives at Oakland Hills from Birmingham Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was general manager for six years. Berlin has held several club positions in his career and also owned a restaurant in Augusta, Georgia, for 12 years.
Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 4:24 pm. Add a comment
Welcome to VartanGolfLive.com.
We’re new and we’re excited. I’m not new, of course. I’ve been around a very long time and have written about golf – and a lot of other stuff – since getting out of college nearly 40 years ago.
I love sports and mostly I love golf.
Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 6 months ago at 6:07 pm. 3 comments
Waterville?
Perfect
Old Head?
Unforgettable
Ballybunion?
Legendary
I am intrigued by Americans who go abroad to experience the joys of golf in Ireland. They return to the United States with triumphant stories and enduring memories. Ask them to articulate the reasons they so enjoyed the journey and the golf and they are frequently challenged to do their sentiments justice.
They are not always sure why they so fully savored the golf, only that they did and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I will tell you, in my estimation, the reason for the affection.
Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 6 months ago at 8:03 am. Add a comment
