July 19 Practice Round

We were up at 5:30 and down for breakfast.  Steve had made some boiled eggs so with toast, jam and coffee we had a satisfying breakfast. All ready to go to Hoylake by 6:45. When I checked at the gate our Uber driver was already there. We had prebooked it at a cost of 43£, definitely the most convenient way to get there. It took 35 minutes to drive through Liverpool , through the tunnel under the Mersey River and dropped us off at the front gate of The Open.  Roger and I walked over the pedway to the entrance and Dave and Steve used the accessible entrance below. Simply opened up our Open Tickets app and the scanned us in. Very slick.

The first place we went was to the Shop where we all bought a waterproof jacket with the logo on it for 135£. Various other items were purchased as well. 

There was a wifi in place so we could stay in touch. First place we went was to a grandstand at #3 green.  Easy to get a seat. We could see the players 2nd shot come into the green on this par 4, watch the chipping and putting and then see them tee off on #4.

The weather was quite reasonable and at one time I only had a short sleeve shirt on. It was overcast by times, often sunny but no rain. This is me in the grandstand. 

At lunch Dave and I split a fish and chips, good call and an obligatory beer.

Went to Loch Lomond Scotch tasting bar where Roger and I tried what was on offer. Dave observed. 

Steve went off to the driving range for about an hour and a half. He's obsessed with this.

We talked to lots of people and even met a group from PEI who were here yesterday and got their picture taken with Corey Connors. It made the Toronto Sun front page.

Mastercard had a Pavillion and since a couple of us had their cards we were all able to go inside and have a coffee and relax. One of their representatives came over to our table to let us know that the Claret Jug was upstairs if we wanted to go see it. We were one of the first groups up there and had our picture taken with it. This is what it's all about. 

It was a great day and more or less what we expected.  Got to see lots of golfers taking a relaxed approach. 

Once we left the compound about 4pm we took the train into Liverpool city centre- 5£ Took a taxi to the Philharmonic Pub noted for its elaborate washrooms. Had a pint of Black Sheep ale (a Yorkshire brew I am familiar with) and a sausage roll.

Hailed a cab and he took us to a grocery store on the way home-12£

Watched some golf on TV,  told some lies, had a beer on the back patio and off to bed around 11.