I had a dream. (Inspired by Peter P.?
Prestwick held a Restricted Flight Invitational Golf Tournament. All professional golfers who had espoused restrictions on the liveliness of golf balls were invited. The balls used could be of any size, but they had to float in distilled water at 15 degrees C.
Media attention was minimal, but increased after the tournament when it was learned that many pros from the US Senior tour were whipping their younger counterparts. The R&A and USGA reminded everyone this was not a sanctioned tournament and the results were unofficial.
The tournament was repeated the following year with a larger field, which had to be limited because of the increased interest among the professionals. Bubba Watson said that he loved the new ball and could make it do tricks. He claimed that it once curved so much that it almost boomeranged and hit him in the back.
The third year it was televised worldwide, and some viewers were amazed by the skill of the golfers as they maneuvered the ball into the stiff headwinds and sidewinds. Others were turned off by some pros putting from the tees into the wind on some holes. Bubba won and credited his new Hybrid One-Iron.
By the fourth year, NGLA and Merion also hosted Classic Golf Tournaments (as some were calling them) , along with Machrihanish and the rebuilt Machrie, and a mini tour was born. At the Machrie, fans turned out in droves despite the hardships in getting there and the very limited accomodations. They loved the local 'spirits' and were thrilled to be able to camp out in tents alongside the professionals. Boo Weekley played and held a fish fry on the beach each evening, amidst the many campfires of the fans and players. A legend was born about this tournament.
Ten years later there were over five million people claiming to have attended that initial Machrie event!
I awoke – remembering the ferry ride to Islay with golfers and fellow fans, and the fun I had at that initial Machrie event – then realized it had all been a dream.
Dang.