As many may know I am currently on a golf oddysey through the Auld Country (Scotland) this week and playing many of the famous courses that hold British Open Championships on a rotating basis. I am playing kilted, of course, and also spending my free time kilted, virtually every waking moment. Played Turnberry yesterday kilted and had a blast. Will post a photo montage soon as we finish the week.

Today I played at Royal Troon just north of where we spent the night in Prestwick. Showed up properly kilted and looking grand and was denied my right to play because there is a rule against men playing in shorts, and they equated my kilt to shorts. Final decision was made by the CaddieMaster of all people, as he was the highest ranking official present at the time, and he did not even bother to come and see how I was dressed before making his decision. Here is what I looked like when I showed up to play:



16oz Handsewn 8yard custom weave Ancient Red Douglas kilt, black Nike mock T under a cable cotton sweater, proper kilt hose and flashes, skunk skin sporran (thanks Bryce) because my golf game stinks, and proper matching black leathers.

Our driver had to race me 20 minutes back to the hotel to change into pants and I barely made it back to the course just as our group was teeing off. Needless to say I was already teed off in a different way, and it definitely affected my golf game, leaving me with a bad taste for the course and club in general. After the round back in the clubhouse I later spoke to the club golf pro, several senior members of the club, and folks in the guests dining room and they all thought that the decision of the CaddieMaster was wrong and that I should have been allowed to play kilted, especialy after I showed them the picture of what I had originally been wearing. Caddiemaster was less than cordial when I attempted to lodge my complaint with him, saying that men were not allowed to show bare leg on the course, period. Will be formally lodging a complaint with the secretary of the club, and writing a letter to the local newspaper about the incident as well. If you would like to write a supportive letter the email address is secretary at royaltroon dot com. Please feel free to mention my name (Jeff Foster) and the date of the event, today Monday August 9, 2010, and the CaddieMaster's name James. And feel free to give them hell. Needless to say I will never return without an official apology and invitation from the head of the club himself.

Off to Muirfield tomorrow, kilted again, and will see if they give me the same grief as Troon.

More to follow.


Jeff