Text Box: Dal Riadas Golf Society In 1988, we took our first trip to the world of “Links Golf”. That first trip included rounds at The Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie, Panmure, Muirfield, Crail, Turnberry, Royal Troon, Western Gailles, and Barassie. We have returned every year since, except for the year of the Gulf War in 1990. In later years trips were made to Ireland and eventually to England. I owe my introduction to “Links Golf” to my friends from Dothan, Alabama who invited me along on one of their many trips. Don Kennington was the leader of this group. Don was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. In those early years my golfing skills were somewhat lacking, but Don never failed to encourage all members of the groups, regardless of their skill level. Don had been a member of the Auburn University Golf Team in the 1950’s and years later he competed in the British Amateur Championship, making it to the quarter finals. A lot of rounds have come and gone since that first trip. Don is no longer with us. I feel certain he is putting together golf outings on the greatest links course of all, and at the same time smiling down at us with that wry grin that he so often exhibited. Who would have guessed that I would some day have my picture taken with the reigning British Amateur Champion, Robert Hory, which occurred at last year’s Ballyliffin Pro-Am Tournament. It is my goal to pass on the opportunity to play this special brand of golf to as many people as I can persuade to travel on one of our trips. This year we plan a dual outing to England, Scotland, and Ireland. You are welcome to bite off as much of this trip as you like. Some will play only England and Scotland, some will play only Scotland and Ireland, but some of us “diehards” plan to tackle the entire trip which runs from August 1st, our date of departure until August 17th, our last day in Ireland. If you like golf, and most especially if you like lots of the finest links golf in the world, mixed in with great friends here, along with great friendships which you will establish abroad, then we have just the event for you. Before we leave in August there will be outings here at home. We invite you to join us on one of these outings where you can get to know some of the members of our group. If you would like to join us, fire off an email to tomadams@dalriadas.com and we will be glad to get you introduced to the world of “Links Golf”. Best Wishes for a great golfing year wherever you play. The Secretary