Magical moments remembered

Last month The Courier offered our readers the chance to play the Old Course at St Andrews the day after the Senior Open presented by Rolex concludes at the Home of Golf.

The entries to follow in the footsteps of the legends on Patrons’ Day on Monday July 30 came flooding in – as did the stirring memories of many great feats by the superstars of the game.

We asked readers to send in their most vivid recollections of past championships and champions on the Old Course – and our two winners wrote colourful and poignant accounts.

Congratulations to Kevin Hodgson from Perth and fellow 16-handicapper Moly McMillan from Broughty Ferry. They will play the Old Course as part of the DC Thomson team on Patrons’ Day, as well as winning a pair of season tickets for the Senior Open from July 25-29.

Below we publish the winning entries of Kevin and Moly, and thanks to everyone who submitted entries.

Kevin wrote: “There can be only one (abiding memory). Seve (Ballesteros) on the 18th green in the final round at the Old Course in 1984. I was a 14-year-old boy at my first ever Open Championship.

“What a treat, one that still serves me to this day.

“I will never forget the sun-kissed image of the great man pumping his fist having slain his fellow competitors like a Spanish matador having won a bull fight. Simply majestic!

“It was a ding-dong battle with the much admired and adored Tom Watson on the final day; it was quite a script that unfolded that Sunday afternoon.

“I soon purchased a dark blue Slazenger jumper and was out attempting to hole putts which would afford me the opportunity to celebrate like the great man! He will forever be my abiding memory of golf and of the great Old Course itself. RIP Seve.”

Moly wrote: “For shot-making and drama the 1995 Open stands out for me.

“Most people will remember the dramatic putt Costantino Rocca made from the Valley of Sin to force a play-off, but I most remember the way John Daly played the 17th. In regulation play on the last day, Daly made a remarkable five from the face of Road Bunker, when a double bogey seemed likely.

“Then in the play-off he played a beautiful long and drawing links pitch and run from 150-plus yards, worthy of winning any open at St Andrews.

“In high winds, John Daly proved he was really a great touch player, not just the big hitter he was known as.

“Only St Andrews has the course architecture to deliver the drama that unfolded that year.”

The two men who inspired our winners: Seve Ballesteros in 1984 and John Daly in 1995.