The picture of Tip in RJ's post recalls something that happened to me on my first trip to St Andrews:
After picking up our van at the Edinburgh Airport on a Saturday morning, my three companions and I drove to St Andrews. We were so excited to see the little town and drove around and around gawking at everything. Finally, we parked in front of the Dunvegan Hotel and unloaded our luggage. It was about 1:30pm when we arrived at the hotel and after having traveled all night and morning to reach the hallowed ground we were starving.
The owners of the Dunvegan invited us into their pub where we ordered lunch and took seats at the first table just inside the door. It just so happened I took the seat against the wall closest to the door. About fifteen minutes after we sat down an older gentleman entered the pub and stood by our table. He smiled, introduced himself as "Tip," and asked if we had played that day. We explained that we had just arrived in Scotland and, thinking we would need some time to recover, had not made plans to play on our first day. The old gentleman said, "You're in the Home of Golf, Man! What are ye waiting for. You can sit a pub in the states!" Well, needless to say, that was all the encouragment we needed... a dressing down by an old Scotsman.
Well, the old gentleman just kept standing by our table talking to us and, although he was entertaining, it was starting to become a bit awkward. Finally, our manners kicked in and we invited him to join us. He hesitated for a moment looking at the available seats, then walked around and took a chair at the far side of the table. He told us he was a former caddie but couldn't work anymore because of a touch of palsy. He said he had caddied for Palmer and Player among other famous players and relayed a stream of stories... one after another. We were fascinated as he told us about major championships and Picadilly Match Play tournaments. It was quite an introduction to Scotland and one of the best hours in golf I will ever spend in my life.
When lunch was over Tip suggested we grab our clubs and walk down to the New Course. "You'll not have any trouble getting on the New this time of day," he said. When I got up from "my" seat one of my friends pointed to a plaque on the wall just behind my head. It said, "This seat reserved for Tip Anderson - World's Greatest Caddie." No wonder he kept standing by our table... and, no wonder the staff kept staring at us... I was sitting in Tip's seat! I had usurped the King's throne!
As we entered the hallway just outside the pub we noticed that one wall was a virtual shrine to Tip Anderson. Framed photos, newspaper reports, and magazine articles about Tip were everywhere! He was obviously even more famous and revered than I realized. I stuck my head back inside the pub to appologize to Tip for taking his seat. He was already back on his throne and before I could speak he said, "It's alright Lad. You warmed her up for me!" What a way to be introduced to Scotland!
If you look closely at the picture of Tip you can just see the brass colored plaque on the wall behind his head.