BUDA X Redux: The case for one course Budas in future and other delights...

[James Boon]

For those that haven’t picked up on this already, I’m afraid to report that the Rest of the World were victorious over Great Britain. But I sometimes think the subject of the result is a bit of a dirty topic when it comes to the Buda Cup, and there is a lot more to a Buda Cup than such trivial matters (he says, sounding like a losing Captain…) However, the Ryder, Walker and all other Cups have plenty of cheesy publicity photos so here are the Buda versions…





The strength of this years Buda was, once again the venue, but this was my first Buda played over just one course so I was a little concerned how it would play out. But for me, it worked perfectly and the club couldn’t be more welcoming or so grateful to have us there. Many will have seen or heard the likes of Bernard Darwin or Scott Warren heaping praise onto the course, but the biggest compliment for me was that so many golfers could take such a battering from the elements and lose so many balls in thick rough, heather and gorse, BUT STILL have such a great time!

A few highlights of the course.

The first was a blind approach to a green sitting in a hollow


The 4th green and the wicked hollows on each side, seen here from the 5th back tee


And the somewhat intimidating view from that back tee. Probably a good job we weren’t playing from here!


The view from behind the 7th with the skyline 8th tee off to the side


The short 9th which came to be referred to as the “Postage Stamp”


The view from behind the delightful short par 4 10th


The 13th and its hogsback approach, with the glorious dunes and 9th and 10th off to the right


Looking back from behind the 14th green. Easily reachable in 2 with the tailwind we had for a couple of days, but being a blind shot, it wasn’t easy


The view over to Southerness in Scotland


But there is also more to a Buda Cup than the course. This years event was strengthened by many familiar faces and some new ones as well, but absent friends had to be toasted. The Silloth Beer Festival was an added bonus, but I’m not sure what got more discussion, the Badgers Spit or the quality of the U2 cover band?

Some of this years characters…

No links course would be complete without such interesting signage…


But talking of signage, some of these may be more worthy of a caption competition…









Till BUDA XI next year, Cheers,

James

[Ben Stephens]

No links course would be complete without such interesting signage…


But talking of signage, some of these may be more worthy of a caption competition…

Should the sign say anyone wildfully striking long golf balls will be suspended from GCA activity

[Bryan Izatt]

Some more pictures of the event.  The final day singles pairings (or at least the ones I got there in time for).  And some fine form ass pictures.

[Eric Smith]

Thanks for the pics gents. Great memories! BUDA X was a blast and I have loads of pics and video to post and will do so in the coming days. Thanks to Silloth on Solway Golf Club for hosting us and making us feel so welcomed. Silloth is a great club in a unique and interesting part of the world. I'll definitely be going back some day. Many thanks to Mark for doing a great job in organizing, James and John for their superb captaincies and to all of the participants. What a fun group of guys to spend a few days with.

I do have a couple of vids ready to go...

First off - The Winds of Silloth!

and how about the U2 tribute band at the beer festival!

Great fun all around. Can't wait to do it again.

[Eric Smith]

Here's another video from the Thursday morning foursomes matches showing the ferocity of the winds at the par 3 ninth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgiqXeYMEus&feature=youtu.be

I wish you could hear what Chris Shaida is saying before he hits his shot, but basically he says he wishes he could putt the ball from the tee!

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Great video

They should be part of any follow-up comments of an event............especially if I don't have to view my swing on video.

[Eric Smith]

After a longish car ride from North Berwick, Chris Shaida and I arrived to the Golf Hotel somewhat tired and in need of a drink. As expected, we found the BUDA contingent settled in at a long table in the lounge so we made haste for the bar. You can imagine our surprise when we discovered the young man tending the bar was none other than our old friend, John Lyon!

[David Davis]

Here's another video from the Thursday morning foursomes matches showing the ferocity of the winds at the par 3 ninth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgiqXeYMEus&feature=youtu.be

I wish you could hear what Chris Shaida is saying before he hits his shot, but basically he says he wishes he could putt the ball from the tee!

I love it, it looks like a typical day at my home course, but wait a minute. GB had the huge advantage of favorable wind conditions like this and still managed to let the yanks walk away with the title? All I have to say is that you were either seriously and I do mean seriously outgunned from the start or I'm already questioning those traveling hcps....

Great video however.

[James Boon]

Eric and Bryan,

Excellent stuff!

David,

The subject of the travelling handicaps will never go away and the debate and haggling revolving around these is a key feature of any Buda Cup. Please dont take this as sounding like a bad loser  but the Rest of the World team did contain the following:
- A guy who grew up playing on the links of NW Ireland.
- A guy who now lives in Scotland and plays most of his golf on links courses
- A guy who now lives in Scotland and plays most of his golf on links courses AND recently competed in the knock out stages of the Carnegie Shield at Dornoch
- A guy who pretty much played golf every day for the last month (often on links courses)
Which just goes to prove home advantage is a debatable concept... 

Cheers,

James

[Eric Smith]

More photos from BUDA X!

Our home for three nights: the Golf Hotel. You can see the golf club there at the end of the street.



Approaching the clubhouse from the street



And from the 18th fairway



Lynn Shackelford butters one down the middle



As does the Captain



Ben Stephens eyeing one up at 14



A look back towards the tee at 14



Mike Whitaker and Conrad Gamble



Giles Payne alongside yours truly



Whitty, ROW Cpt.John Mayhugh, GB&I Cpt. James Boon and BUDA X organizer, Mark Pearce all sporting their BUDA ties!



BUDA Dinner was of course excellent. Plenty of wine and port to go with an interesting presentation by club President, Peter Cusack.



Mark Pearce ordered up a bottle of port and lead us in a toast to BUDA regulars unable to attend.



L-R: Donal O'Ceallaigh, Gary See, Mike Whitaker, Niall Carlton, Chris Shaida, Giles Payne


Ben Stephens and John Mayhugh



The Captains planning tomorrow's battle.



GB&I Cpt. Boon during his 'I have a feeling' speech...just look at him...looks just like Crenshaw!



More drinking



I could be mistaken, but I think Rich Goodale (12:00 in tweed) is reading us his BUDA poem?



More revelry

L-R: Niall Carlton, Chris Shaida, Giles Payne, Mark Pearce, Peter Cusack

Certainly another memorable GCA event!!

Until next time,

Eric









Bonus pic:

NEW2 performing at the Beer Festival!!!

[John Mayhugh]

Nice photos, guys.  Thanks to all for making this another memorable Buda, especially Mark Pearce for all of his organizational efforts.  Silloth was a perfect host venue.  We couldn't have been treated any better, and it was really nice getting multiple rounds (and conditions!) over the three days.  Those windy rounds on Thursday were as much fun as I've had this year, I think.

[Martin Toal]

Thanks for the pics gents. Great memories! BUDA X was a blast and I have loads of pics and video to post and will do so in the coming days. Thanks to Silloth on Solway Golf Club for hosting us and making us feel so welcomed. Silloth is a great club in a unique and interesting part of the world. I'll definitely be going back some day. Many thanks to Mark for doing a great job in organizing, James and John for their superb captaincies and to all of the participants. What a fun group of guys to spend a few days with.

I do have a couple of vids ready to go...

First off - The Winds of Silloth!

and how about the U2 tribute band at the beer festival!

Great fun all around. Can't wait to do it again.

Good Grief.

That looks like one of those 'found footage' horror movies where everyone gets slaughtered one by one.

[Ben Stephens]

L-R: Donal O'Ceallaigh, Gary See, Mike Whitaker, Niall Carlton, Chris Shaida, Giles Payne

OMG is this Whitaker, Carlton, Shaida and Payne doing synchronised drinking??? with good quality port! this should be a new sport showing the fine arts of GCA style drinking! - they would get 10 out of 10 from Olympic judges!