Michele Thomson's Grampian Houston Junior Trip diary.
Grampian Houston Golf Trip - 9th -20th October 2005
Sunday 9th October
We gathered at Aberdeen airport at 08.45 and checked in for the flight to London, everyone seemed very excited. After arriving at London we transferred terminals and caught the 10 hour flight to Houston.
To pass the time we watched highlights of the British Open, probably about four times if I remember correctly.
We arrived at the George Bush International Airport in Houston at 18.00hrs - six hours behind everyone in the UK so we were beginning to tire.
As soon as we checked through immigration we transferred to our hotel, The Hilton Post Oak which was about 30 minutes from the airport. We hired two mini buses to take us from place to place during our stay.
Monday 10th
We slept late the first morning as we all adjusted to the time difference. After breakfast we went to the Gallaria, just across from our hotel, and did some shopping. The weather was like back home in Scotland with heavy rain but it stopped about 13.30, which was lucky because we were due to tee off at 14.00.
The first course we played was the Houston Country Club, a Par 72 which measured approx 7000 yds. We played off the same tees as the boys to give them a chance!!
The course was quite wet with all the rain but it dried up quickly in the heat. I played with Laura Murray, Adrian Styles and Graeme Mitchell. We all played reasonably well for our first attempt in the States.
After the golf we went to Fuddruckers which was basically a burger restaurant where one or two of the burgers were, lets say, big!! They do say, everything in Texas is big, now I know what they mean!
Tuesday 11th
We visited The University of Houston in the morning where the Athletics facilities are second to none and we were told were worth $75 million. We believe that the money was donated to the University by the guy who invented bar codes.
We were taken to a hall where they had a number of basketball courts and when you press a button the floor automatically pulls out to become an American football field, it was absolutely amazing!!
We spoke to the coach of the Golf Team - Coach Jarrid who gave us a guided tour. He said the University currently did not have a girls squad but when he saw me and Laura playing later in the week, he said “maybe I should get a girls team”
In the afternoon we played Braeburn Country Club where I played with Hewitt, the assistant pro at River Oaks, Ian Ord and Laura.
The course was similar to the course we played the first day. Laura and I had to give the guys 11 shots and play off the men’s tees. We lost on the 18th when Hewitt sank a 40 foot putt.
Wednesday 12th
Today we played at Carlton Woods which in my opinion was one of the best courses I have ever played. Everything about the set up was superb. Not sure if they have a waiting list but if anyone is interested the joining fee is $250,000 and thereafter its $600 / month.
I played with the pro there Steve, Laura and John Connon, the Chairman of Grampian Houston Junior Golf.
Steve and I won 5&4 in a high quality match except John seems to like the sand quite a lot!!
In the evening we went to watch the Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic at basketball.
We sat in one of the executive boxes and watched along with thousands of others as Houston showed off their skills and won a tight contest. The boys were very happy at the start because they each got their photograph taken with the cheerleaders!!
Laura and I on the other hand had our photo taken with the team mascot - Clutch!!
Thursday 13th
Golf today at Brae Burn Country Club - I played with Lewis Kirkton, Chris Barron and Steven Mann. I played with Chris and we won on the last hole of a long course. I played quite well especially when I found out that there was a coach there from one of the American colleges watching us!
This course is where they hold one of the USA PGA Tour events. When we were playing, Dick Harmon and Charlie Epps, who are in the top 30 coaches in the world, came out on the course to watch.
After the golf we went to Taste of Texas for tea where they dressed us in bandanas and made us yell “YeeHaa” in the restaurant in front of startled Americans, it was hilarious!!
Friday 14th
Today we played in a Junior Pro-Am at River Oaks Country Club. It was a five-ball and I played with Angus Moir ex Ellon member and currently working for Wilson Staff in the USA, Bob Alison who has a few private jets, Craig Thomson and the ex- Kings Links professional Bruce Davidson, who is now the Director of Golf at River Oaks Country Club.
We played some good golf, I was really pleased as I hit every fairway and very nearly every green in regulation – just don’t mention the putts as it was like putting on glass. Bruce said he was impressed with my game and suggested if my putting had been better my 84 should have been a 74. He also added that I was definitely scholarship material
James Byrne from Banchory won the tournament with a one-under- par 71. I had an 84 and three-putted about nine times.
For tea we went to a Mexican restaurant with Bruce Davidson’s assistants Casey and Janie.
Saturday 15th
Golf today at Houstonian Golf and Country Club. I shot my best round of the week - a 78 off the men’s tees but it should and could have been a lot better.
For tea we went for the boys’ choice of Hooters and because the two of the guys were late for the bus they had to do a forfeit. Ian Ord arranged for the restaurant to have a couple of nappies made up out a plastic bags and the boys had to wear them after our meal and run round the restaurant sucking their thumbs! Don’t think they will be late again!
Sunday 16th
Had a day off from golf and went to the 6 Flags Theme Park where we arrived at noon. One and a half hours later we had only been on one ride as the queues were so long.
Best ride of the day was Batman where we were standing on the ride and being thrown upside down at high speed, it was brilliant.
For tea we arranged for a pizza at the hotel because we were sick of the amount of food you get at the restaurant – we were all putting on weight by this time!!
Monday 17th
Monday was the big day that we were all looking forward to golf at Champions with Steve Elkington.
I played the course in the morning with Hewitt, Janie and Laura, I shot 78 and won with Laura 6&4. We played really well. The day off obviously helped.
We met Steve Elkington on the range in the afternoon where he gave us a golf clinic on how to hit certain shots.
The shot that sticks in my mind is where he hit a three-wood 250yd out a bunker with a lip. It was amazing to watch.
Steve was a great entertainer. Every time he said he was going to hit a ball 50 yds right and draw it back into the middle of the green, that’s exactly what he did – very impressive and his swing was very smooth. He was a real gentleman.
He then took us back to his house where he showed us all his trophies, pictures, golf club collection, numerous clubs of all makes, clubs adjusted to suit him, different weights, angles etc.
Steve showed us the Wanamaker Trophy, which is the US PGA championship trophy. It was about the size of me from the waist upwards and was very heavy!! A lot of very famous golfers are named on that trophy.
He also showed us his favourite car, “LPINKA” I think it is just for showing off when he drives down to the local golf club
We went into his garden where he has built a tree house for his kids. The kids were at school but we met his wife. They were really nice people.
The Halloween pumpkins are a welcome sight at the front door!!
Tuesday 18th
We played River Oaks for the second time and I played with Euan McIntosh from Newmachar who has already completed a scholarship in the States and plays off +1.
We played against Steven and Liam and we won 1 up.
I shot 79 and what do you know I didn’t have any three putts!!!
For our last meal we went for a Mexican where everyone that had been with us all week attended. We all had to mention our favourite part of the trip and our favourite course. For me that was easy, meeting Steve Elkington and playing Carlton Woods and River Oaks – too difficult to pick the better course as they were both excellent.
We presented Bruce Davidson with a Quaich for River Oaks Golf Club from the 2005 Grampian Houston Team.
Wednesday 19th
We left the hotel about noon and went to River Oaks to say our last goodbyes and pass on our thanks to everyone then headed to the airport.
We arrived back in Aberdeen at 10.15 the next morning.
In summary the whole experience was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone who is lucky enough to get the opportunity. Thanks once again to the organisers and all the sponsors and many thanks to McDonald Ellon for nominating me to go on the trip and providing me with equipment and clothing for the coming season. It was a trip I will never forget.
Michele Thomson
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