I never really thought about creating a ‘bucket list’ until I reached the age of 50. We often spend much of our time looking back and reflecting and not very much time looking ahead in our lives.
In 2008, when I no longer could say that I was 49, I crossed off the first item on my personal bucket list. I decided to face my fear of heights by jumping out of an airplane. Yes, I did have a parachute and no, I did not jump in tandem with another person. The experience was amazing and I no longer have a fear of heights.
In 2009, my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. The second thing that I had put on my bucket list was to travel to Hawaii. Both my parents and my wife Lisa’s parents travelled to Hawaii to celebrate their respective 25th anniversaries. I felt it only fair that since we also made it to 25 years, that we celebrate it in similar fashion.
In 2018, I will no longer be able to say that I am in my fifties. To celebrate this next milestone in my life, I would like to travel and play golf in Scotland. I have played golf on many beautiful courses across North America and in the Caribbean, but I have yet to cross ‘the big pond’. Ironically both of my kids have been across the Atlantic and travelled to England, Switzerland, and France on exchange programs.
My plan is to take a group of eight couples to Scotland for a ten-day golf vacation. This ‘trip of a lifetime’ will include rounds of golf at St. Andrews (The Old Course), Troon, Turnburry, Muirfield, Gleneagles, Prestwick, and maybe even Carnoustie. The 2018 Open Championship will have been played at Carnoustie earlier in the season.
I would like to take this trip in either September or October of 2018. The weather in Scotland is usually unpredictable, but these months are the best ones to be able to get on to these popular courses.
The ten-day adventure will also include activities such as castle visits, whiskey tasting and shopping. My goal is to have everything finalized at least a year in advance, so that everything is booked and deposits paid to confirm all of our travel plans.
I have a picture of myself standing on the bridge on the 18th hole at St. Andrews. Unfortunately it was a replica bridge at the World Golf Hall of Fame in Orlando in 2012. It is time to make a dream a reality and not only play St. Andrews but stand on the same bridge that many of the greatest golfers of all time were photographed on.
If you might be interested in joining my wife and me on our golfing adventure, simply contact me. We already have several couples that are interested in joining us. I should have rates very soon for this 2018 golf vacation package.
Next Week: Feeling Good about Your Game
Cameron Burechails (Teaching Professional), The Georgian Bay Golf Academy at Meaford Golf Club (705)441-0865 baygolfacademy@bell.net or www.meafordgolf.com
