Golf Course History – You Could Play On The Worlds Oldest Golf Course
Golf Course History - You Could Play On The Worlds Oldest Golf Course
The oldest golf course in the world...If I asked you where the oldest golf course in the world was what would you say? Scotland ? yes, good guess so far. But where in Scotland?When pressed most golfers eventually say St Andrews, but they're wrong. Golf was played at Musselburgh near Edinburgh at least ten years before any recorded games at St Andrews. Local records suggest that golf was played on the links land near the shore at Musselburgh from around the year 1567.The "old course" in Musselburgh is still there today and retains much of its original layout. It has nine holes and the golf course can be played by all comers. Seven of the old course holes were laid out before 1830 (and probably much earlier) and the two "new holes" were added in the mid 1800's.The British Open golf tournament was held at Musselburgh on five occasions between 1874 and 1889 and the first ever golf competition for women was played on the old course in 1811. The club members still compete for the Old Club Cup, which dates back to 1774.Even the holes in the greens are significant at Musselburgh. In 1829 the members decided to buy a mechanical device from a local blacksmith to cut the holes on the green. By chance he made it with a diameter of exactly four and a half inches. Golf holes at the time could be any size that the members wanted ? there was no rule about it. In 1893 the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews ? who by this time wrote the rules of golf for the game worldwide ? decided that all golf holes should be the same size as the ones at Musselburgh old course and the decision has remained unchanged to this day. Just measure the cup size on your local golf course if you don't believe me.For a golf course of such historical importance, access is remarkably easy. You can simply pay and play if you wish and there is a small shop selling special souvenirs. Memberships are available for both local and overseas members ? the latter might make a particularly unusual golf gift. Each overseas member receives a welcome pack with a history of the club, a special bag tag, special golf balls and tees and is welcome to join in any competitions if they come for a holiday in Scotland.This truly is golf at it's most authentic and in its most historical setting. Come try it ? you will really feel the history of the place.Gary Hill lives and works in central Scotland.
His website has lots of information on travel in Europe and about golf in Scotland or Ireland golf vacationsGary also contributes to a medical website on the theme of whiplash injury
The Worlds First Comedian?
The Worlds First Comedian?
If you ever saw Aristophanes live on stage, you must be sincerely old. That's because he appeared around 400 B.C., and back then the videos were pretty bad.This amazing Greek dramatist knew how to communicate through comedy. Like present-day humorists, much of his work focused on current events or politicians.What can we learn from this ancient wordsmith?1. Humor can be a great teaching device. One of his early plays ? "The Clouds" ? talks about an old man trying to solve problems by enrolling in a "thinking school."2. Repetition ? Aristophanes reinforced the main points of his plays by repeating major themes, often in verse.3. Rhythm and song ? These found their way into the author's works as a helpful memory device.
In fact, you might call Aristophanes "the great-great grandfather of musical comedy."4. Fantasy ? In his play "The Frogs" Aristophanes tells about a trip to Hades to bring the author Euripides back to earth.5. Offbeat comedy ? Some critics claim a few of his comedies were intentionally silly. In some, a character from the play would step forward to address the audience. This person may have been one of the earliest "stand-up comics."6. Segmentation ? A few critics say that Aristophanes' writing skipped from one subject to another, and often seemed disconnected. Others, however, saw that this ancient author knew how to change subjects easily ? and create powerful scenes ? by weaving a single theme throughout each presentation.Rix Quinn writes the nationally syndicated weekly humor feature "Poor Rix's Almanac." His book "Words That Stick" is available from your local bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/
The Worlds Top Water Bass Fishing Champion And His Techniques
The Worlds Top Water Bass Fishing Champion And His Techniques
I was fishing a small lake in central California back in 1980, I think it was that year. I had been fishing for a couple of hours and doing ok, catching some 1-2 pound fish and in a far I was fishing a small lake in central California back in 1980, I think it was that year. I had been fishing for a couple of hours and doing ok, catching some 1-2 pound fish and in a far distance I could see this man walking up with a bright red jacket.
The closer he got, the more I noticed his jacket and all the patches on it, one said 1978 World Top Water Bass Fishing Champion, along with about 20 other patches. We began to talk, of course, I wanted to know all about him and he began to tell me about how he became champion. Now, I do want to say one thing here, I forget what he told me and I don't even know for sure if there is such a tournament for the World Top Water Championship but I watched this guy fish.He was probably in his 50's or early 60's at the time and fished this lure different than I have seen before so I paid special attention. Finally, after seeing him catch a half dozen fish while I caught two I asked him what he was doing and what bait he was using that he was doing so well. He said he only used one kind of bait and opened up his tackle box. Can you imagine my surprise when the only lure he had in there was Rapalas. I mean bunches of Rapalas, every color and size you could imagine. I said where's the rest of your lures, he smiled and said this is all I use. By the way, at the time I was fishing with a Rapala, that was ironic to me. I said "that is what I'm using now".He said "yeah, I see that but you're not fishing it right". Well, I had fished for bass for about 25 or so years then and wondered what in the world he was talking about, me not fishing it right. I had fished Rapalas for as long as I can remember. So, I said "what are you talking about not fishing it right?". He said "well, all you're doing is throwing the lure in and reeling it back. I said "yeah". He said" have you ever noticed a minnow or shad or whatever, he said they never go very far, they usually move a few inches at a time and they dart." He said "that lure of yours is supposed to imitate the baitfish the bass is after so make it act like one." Then he showed me and guess what? He was right!His acted just like a baitfish and even looked like one swimming the way he did it. As he stood there twitching the end of his rod and letting it sit every two or three twitches then twitch it two or three times more and let it sit, I seen his point. I also seen him catch another bass, which made me a believer. Now I don't know if this man was the top water champion or not but I do know one thing.........his technique works.I have used it on most of my retrieves anytime I fish top water and it works. Cast the lure, let it sit, twitch the end of your rod two or three times and let it set again. The only thing I have done is add one additional move. I throw the lure out and let it sit, twitch the rod two or three times and let it sit and then I move the lure so slow it barely cause a ripple and that is when I get most of my hits. Try this techniques the next time you fish your favorite top water lure and see the results.Charles E. White has fished for almost 50 years for bass. It is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass in his lifetime. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce bass that hangs on his office wall. Charles has fished with people who have never fished before and taught them to become successful anglers and has also fished with the pros in Florida. His new website is at:
http://www.bassfishingweekly.com