Hat trick - Thematic Photographic

I hope that you will agree to accept Samwin as a hat.

Samwin

After all he was the head cover I used for my driver when playing golf.

Now he makes a perfect model for the 'hat' I wear throughout the winter.

Bob's insulated beanie

I found some other hats in my archive from earlier years.

'Chef, please tell me which dishes are garlic free.'

And then there was a wedding where I'm only allowed to show the hat worn by my wife.

Even a golfing snowman needs a hat.

The hat is from 2004 and the 35th Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills. Samwin gives you a closer look.

Signed by Paul Casey
A victorious European 

Sorry you cannot see what Samwin thinks of this. For other hat tricks check out Carmi's Thematic-photographic-399.

Data - Thematic Photography

I've reached an age when studying lots of data is boring. So I rarely look at equity prices in the newspaper and never online. Not even - 

London Commodities Prices

That's London, England, Carmi not Ontario. And anyway there's probably an app for data such as this.

However even with leisure activities it's impossible it seems for some people not to record data of what they do.

Watching birds that frequent our garden - over 5 years data.

I've played a lot of golf over the years and can tell you how many courses I have played at;  I even at one time recorded my scores - hole by hole for every game. I won't bore you with data like that.

However I know of players who go to pieces every time they see the data on it every time they pick up a card.

There's another nine holes of data on the other side.

All before they've hit a ball.

I just wonder how Harry Potter kept the Quidditch score when he played behind these walls.

Alnwick Castle (where the film was made)

Perhaps he stored his data in the clouds.

Like us these days he has plenty to chose from.

If you haven't had enough, you may explore more data at Thematic-photographic-367.

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

Shadows - Thematic Photography

The theme of 'Shadows' is one of those that you can meet by accident or design. Many of my previous posts would be fine here also, but I try not to repeat photos I have shown before.

Boat waiting for transport

In this shot it would have been impossible to shoot the boat without incorporating its shadow. However other shadows have been included as well.

When shooting dogs (not literally) you sometimes do not have time to think about shadowy effects.

Gem on her way to the house

The shadow in the next shot enhances a view on a Michigan golf course.

Oxford Hills Golf Course - looking back from 10th tee

 

You may be able to make out the shadow of a golf cart too.

Then there are times when the shot has been taken deliberately to catch the subject in shade.

Blind Sam smells his way home

In the next shot I was more concerned about framing the road with the trees; the shadows turned out to be a bonus.

Oakwood Road, MI

When it comes to old ruins, no not me, shadows can add a dramatic effect.

Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire

But enough of my shadowy past, it's time for you to check out other shades at Carmi's Thematic-photographic-225

Golfing Sunday Stamps

As today is the final day of the Ryder Cup match between the USA and Europe I thought my choice for this week would be golfing stamps of which I have just two. Unfortunately neither are from Europe.

Gary Player - South Africa

Player won the golfing career grand slam once and is one of  only five men to have achieved the feat.

Only one golfer has achieved the grand slam in one calendar year.

Bobby Jones - USA

You will see from the stamp that his grand slam was many years ago in 1930.

For those that don't know the grand slam consists of winning the four tournaments

• Masters Tournament held at Augusta in April each year
• US Open played at various locations in the USA in June each year
• The Open Championship hosted by The R & A and played on a links course at various locations in the UK in July.
• PGA Championship (USPGA) hosted by the PGA of America and played at various locations in the USA on the 4th weekend after The Open.

To see what others have chosen this week follow the link Viridian's sunday-stamps

Ball Games - Sepia Saturday

I knew what I was going to post as soon as I saw this week's prompt:

I played cricket for many years but I've only watched one game of baseball.

Baseball - Dearborn, Michigan 2006

Earlier that summer we visited England's north-east coast and came across a cricket match in progress in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle.

Cricket at Bamburgh Castle 2006

 I've also played a lot of tennis but was never good enough to beat my daughter even when I was fit.

Beaten again - Sveti Stefan

Playing tennis indoors on hard courts didn't help my knees so I turned to golf at the late age of 50. As an active hockey and cricket player I had always told my golfing friends that any b....! fool can hit a ball that stays still.

Billingham Golf Club - 17th green

 I was recovering from minor surgery at the time that I took that shot of two of my golfing partners.

Billingham - 11th fairway

 I also have to admit that my daughter also beats me at golf although she only plays a few times a year.

The Homestead - Michigan's fresh water resort

Here she's posing with a golfing statue at Michigan's Homestead resort.

Finally here's the family's current sporting star.

Surfing champion

For more fun and games I suggest that you take a look at what's happening on Sepia-saturday-136

Sporting Sunday Stamps

I was spoilt for choice this week and could have easily got carried away. So I decided to start with a sport I could never attempt to play.

Sweden - Ice Hockey

I played field hockey for years but could not stand up on skates. But staying with the cold how about these?

Iceland - Wrestling and Swimming

I captained the boxing team at school have never wrestled with anything other than a problem nor was I ever much of a swimmer. I haven't tried this seriously either.

Italy - Cycling

Racquet sports I've played a lot.

Great Britain - Lawn and Table Tennis

Great Britain - Squash

 

 

But the sport that I still play but not as well as this fellow who is two years older than me well past three score years and ten.

South Africa - Golf

I guess that now I will never have a score lower than my age. To console myself I'm off to see other sports at

Viridian's Sunday Stamps 44.