Rotary Couples Golf Exchange

District 1010 (Northern Scotland) & District 7280 (Western Pennsylvania)

Report of the Visit to Fife, 28th July to 2nd August 2004

This year it was once again our turn to host eight couples from Pennsylvania as part of their exchange visit with District 1010. The hosts this year were from eight different Clubs, Anstruther, Cupar, Howe of Fife, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Claverhouse and Dundee. The definition of "Fife" has had to be somewhat elastic this year, but in spite of the distances involved, and several late changes to the American party due to illness, the visit seems to have been very successful, and enjoyed by all concerned.

We collected our guests from their Elgin hosts at House of Bruar, near Blair Atholl, at lunchtime on the Wednesday, and spent a leisurely day entertaining them individually. The following day we got down to the serious business of golf - the men played Pitfirrane on the Thursday, Lundin on the Friday, and Crail (Balcomie) on the Sunday. The ladies had a separate programme, with visits to Culross (Thursday),

Falkland Palace (Friday) and St Andrews (Sunday). On the Saturday we all had a day in Edinburgh - we hired a coach which, as well as transporting us there & back, took us on a city tour for which we provided our own commentary. We then visited the Castle, and dispersed for individual sightseeing/shopping/whatever with our own guests, before meeting up in the evening for a meal at La Piazza.

After the days activities on the Sunday, we had a final dinner in Lower College Hall, St Andrews, a venue which greatly impressed the Americans.

And then on the Monday, we had to hand them on to their Angus hosts for the final leg of their tour, and say our farewells.

Or not quite, because many of us were able to attend the "final final" dinner at Finavon, which followed the Shield Match at Monifieth on Thursday the 5th. Least said about the Shield Match the better, but the dinner was very successful, except that we really did have to say goodbye to the many new friends we had made.

Once again, those who have taken part have found this to be a wonderful and enjoyable experience, if sometimes a little hectic. We hope it will continue for many more years.

George Hunter, 20th August 2004

And the one they didn't want us to publish!