Fore! - Sepia Saturday

When I started at St Andrews University in 1955 I had never played golf.

It was also the first time that I had seen the Royal & Ancient, fifty years after this photograph was dated.

R&A Clubhouse 1905

It may not have a foursome like those in our prompt but I will leave you to judge which ones are more appropriately dressed.

In my time at St Andrews, and a point that I regret, I never played there. Of course time on putting greens did not count,

Not a time to get the yips

especially when your opponent is your girl friend at the time.

It was 20+ years later that she became a golfing widow.

I was over 50 when, while working in Stavanger, I took up golf seriously - there is no other way to play it.

Over the years in between I suppose we played a few round of crazy golf but it was the 1990s, back in England, that I achieved a measure of success with the CEGB Canute Golfing Society and on Teesside at Billingham Golf Club.

A modest haul of trophies

Since then I've played in a number of countries including Scotland (of course - but not St Andrews), Denmark and the USA.

I never managed to beat my son-in-law.

Winter golf - Steven drives off at Oxford Hills, Michigan

And at the 13th it's my turn on this par 3 with a creek and a steep bank in front of the green.

Bobble hat and gloves - not shorts weather at all

I have struggled to beat my daughter, even on the Mountain Flowers Par 3 at the Homestead, Michigan's freshwater resort on Lake Michigan.

Rachel by the side of a Mountain Flowers green

Some holes on this course were quite a challenge.

The green may be only 190yds away but it's still a daunting drive.

On all courses however you will come across the posers.

One is a bronze!

Water is often a hazard to be avoided like this lake at Mulberry Hills, Michigan.

And in recent winters may make it necessary to close the course.

Flooding at Billingham golf course

If you hit a ball into water sometimes you may need a helping hand.

Or mouth

But the best water(ing) hole of all is always the one like this.

Approaching the 19th hole at Mulberry Hills

To see how others have succeeded with golf or other shots, visit the links at Sepia-Saturday-317

In the foreground - Thematic Photography

Frequently things in the foreground get in the way of what you want to shoot. There are times however when they may enhance a photo accidentally, or deliberately if you choose.

In this series of shots I had not intended to include the flag.

View from first green. Mountain Flowers golf course

The course is located at the Homestead, the freshwater resort on Lake Michigan.

Mountain Flowers - view towards the Manitou islands.

Those of you who have read the story of Mishe-Mokwa, the bear who tried to save her cubs from a fire by swimming with them across Lake Michigan, will know that the great spirit Manitou raised the two drowned cubs out of the deep blue waters of the lake - and made them into the islands which he named after himself.

There are times however when what is in the foreground is worth including, like this next shot also from Michigan.

Traverse City harbour, Michigan

When observing the developments in a wood during a year, the item in the foreground is sometimes an important element to study.

Horse chestnut buds in March

And a month later on a branch.

Sycamore leaves - April

For more views in the foreground cross over to Carmi's Thematic-photographic-270,