The Elon University men's and women's golf teams are in Scotland as a part of the Elon Commitment to its students achieving a global experience. Check in to elonphoenix.com to view the daily updates of the program from its athletes on the overall experience! Be sure to also check out posts and updates on the team's social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
Elon men's golf graduate student Charlie May describes his first time playing the Old Course at St. Andrews during the team's global experience trip. Click below for the Adobe Spark version of the story.



   What a day we had at St. Andrews on Wednesday. All day there was a steady rain and temperatures were in the mid 40s but in my opinion that is just part of experiencing Scottish golf. The first sight of the famed first tee and 18th green area at the Old Course had me in awe. There is so much history to the Old Course with all the greatest golfers of all time walking its grounds. Golf is also ingrained into the culture of Scotland. The tee sheet is always packed at St Andrews Links regardless of weather conditions. This is different than what I have encountered back home in that if it's cold or rainy there are typically few golfers brave enough to battle the elements.
 
   Hitting the first tee shot was pretty nerve-wracking, besides the fact that according to our caddie it is the widest fairway in all of golf. I had dreamed over and over as a kid growing up playing the game of being introduced on that first tee in front of the crowd at an Open Championship. Not quite the same type of crowd on a Wednesday during the course's offseason, but nevertheless my heart was pounding as I went through my pre-shot routine. Thankfully, I striped it down the middle and off I was.
 
   During my round at the Old Course I truly felt like I was living out my dream. I have watched a couple of Open Championships that were played at the course so I was able to recollect certain shots that I had seen on TV. Additionally, I had played it hundreds of times in Tiger Woods PGA Tour video games, so I had some sort of sense of the layout. I really tried to appreciate each step I took on its famed grounds and focused on enjoying the moment.
 
   One thing I found interesting about the Old Course was how wide the fairways are. You can miss it pretty much as far left as you want and still find the short grass. The gale force winds that come off the sea and the placement of pin positions are its main defense. Additionally, the size of the greens was much different than what I am used to in the United States. In fact, 14 of the holes are joined by expansive double greens.
 
   As I approached the end of my round, I had to get through the famous 17th ("The Road Hole"). Hitting over a part of the hotel was quite unique. After making a birdie on the 16th I was a bit too conservative off the tee and ended up making a bogey. Finally, playing the 18th was a moment I will never forget. Crossing the Swilcan Bridge was like I was walking on clouds. When I finished the round with a par, I was left with a sense of great satisfaction of being able to play the game I loved at its birthplace. November 22, 2017 will be forever known to me as the day I played the Old Course at St. Andrews Links.