PGA Professional Mostyn Farmer last week made the trip to Scotland to attempt to qualify for this week’s Senior Open presented by Rolex.

While the cards didn’t fall his way, it was still an amazing experience for the West Aussie professional who will now have a front row seat to see some of the game’s greats compete at St Andrews.

Mostyn gave pga.org.au a firsthand account of what it’s like to compete in competitive qualifying for the prestigious event…

St Andrews

I rocked into Scotland on Thursday evening and although I had just completed a 10-hour drive from the south, both my daughter Megan and myself had to go and see St Andrews. So five minutes in my accommodation with PGA Professional Stuart Henderson’s parents and we were off to the home of golf.

It’s a course with a feeling like no other I have been to. No tournament as yet, though they had started the construction of tent villages and grandstand, however, a small crowd of onlookers surrounded the 18th green where the lucky pilgrims who had got a game had to brace their nerves to hit shots into the last without duffing it too badly. Unfortunately for most of them, it was not the case, however, all that finished had smiles on their faces and you could see that they had had a special day.

We took a casual stroll (like we were walking our dog) around the 18th, 17th and 1st holes! Followed by a visit to the local cemetery where amongst many others Tom Morris (Junior and Senior)and many other founders of our game lay. A very touching moment.

Practice days

Saturday and Sunday were the assigned practice days but it felt like a tournament in itself with ProVs on the range, yardage sheets and assigned tee times! Enough to start the adrenaline flowing.  I Had a couple of great days made two eagles lots of pars and birdies and learned heaps about playing on true links courses where the fairways were, and typically are, as brown as a desert but however are surprisingly not as hard as you would expect.

The main goal from the practice is to hit the right parts of the fairway, only a few drivers possible, and land the ball well short of most of the greens –  so long as they are not protected by the “burns”.

I met up with the other two Aussies at Lundin, Chris Hollingsworth, and Paul Archbold. Both great lads and great company.

Pre-Qualifying day.

The early start for me was pretty good as the wind gets up in the afternoon so I was very happy with that. But a few early rushed shots and not my best putting performance meant my score was not competitive – Gutted after what I felt was a good preparation and I felt my ball striking was in general quite solid.  

After a short period of holing some putts (had to remind myself I could do it) I went to see how the other Aussies were going Chris had played a good game but a couple of bogies meant he posted a 73 which was to be only a couple too many! Arch, like he has done many a time in the past, played solid and posted a 70 which was right on the mark for the last spot!

Six players went out in the late evening to fight it out and 11 holes later and the following day Paul succeeded and was the final qualifier from Lundin!

Tuesday practice day

Popped out to St Andrews again to see some of the legends of the game practicing, guys like Watson, Langer etc playing the old course! Great experience and in general the guys were easy to talk too so we had a ball. I met with Paul and went into the players/guest lounge just to see how the other half live – mistake. It was too good!

Tournament starts today, come on Aussies!