Chris Straine
I played golf mostly with my father. He took the game up in his late 40s as I showed an interest and his excuse was he was babysitting by taking me to golf. Over the years we taught ourselves and got better and better to such an extent we travelled up from the west coast to play Kingsbarns each year. It was the highlight of our year.
Unfortunately my father’s health deteriorated as he got into his 70s, pneumonia, shingles etc all took their toll. He then had a nasty fall and broke his hip which required emergency surgery. He battled his way back and was able to resume golf but he is no longer able to play longer courses and mostly plays 9.
In 2015 we decided to have one last ‘fancy’ game together and I asked my dad where he wanted to sign-off – no hesitation, Kingsbarns. We played late one afternoon in July and had the course to ourselves. Just my dad and I knowing this was probably the end to our 30 years of playing 18 holes together.
Special doesn’t cover it. I still visit Fife regularly and now have 2 sons who are keen golfers aged 8 and 10. They came up to Kingsbarns for the ladies open a few years ago and loved it. Each year when I visit Fife I always pop into the shop and buy a hat, shirt or something from Kingsbarns. But mostly I return to just see that 18th green, the first tee, the air, the welcome on the first tee all of which reminds me of special times golfing with my dad.