Kilted Golfer DENIED Play at Royal Troon because of the kilt

[Bigkahuna]

Now we're talking; just where are these courses?

I believe that if you check out some of the courses in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, they can set you up with the Caddie of your choice.

[artificer]

Jeff Forrester, making life hard for head caddies all over Scotland!

Seriously, I know rules are there for a reason, but barring a KILT in Scotland? That's like not allowing beer on the course in the US!

[EagleJCS]

"Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-lagunga."


P.S. Hope you're having fun and staying cool Jeff. You'll be sure to melt when you get back home - temps in the middle/upper 90's here this week.

[Scott West]

Jeff, I'm sorry to hear your golf outing was unnecessarily waylaid because of jackassery. Your denial to play makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, and is, of course, ESPECIALLY egregious given your attire + location. The abject failure of the determining authority (Coursemaster?) to exercise any judgement or independent thought beyond mindlessly deferring to the 'rules' is pathetic and inexcusable. I'm an avid golfer and have seen young folks (and some not so young!) on courses in thoroughly inappropriate attire, e.g. jeans shorts, the 'sagging' pants and shorts, tank tops, tennis shoes, etc. Royal Troon, is a golfer smartly wearing a kilt really THAT major of an issue, especially in light of the historical/cultural benefits to be garnered?!

[wildrover]

Who knows, maybe the guy was an import from somewhere else in The Empire, and forgot he was in Scotland. I can think of no possible explanation, and it would be hilarious to see the "straightening out" session between the members and this middle-management guy who soiled your cheerios.

[Jordan]

I’ve never played Golf in my life; I don’t even think I've picked up a Stick before. But how someone phones up to organise a trip to Royal Troon giving the club full warning that a Rabble will appear kilted to play and see if they say it’s out with the rules? I wouldn’t think so and I think even if they try it will be a bit of a stretch for them to say no. Might give Jeff some good grounds for discrimination, the big chief probably just got told there was some American guy outside in a kilt.

Jordan

[Wife]

E.T. (Jeff) Phone home! The operator tells me that the number you call home from is not a good number.

[Lallans]

E.T. (Jeff) Phone home! The operator tells me that the number you call home from is not a good number.

Aha, methinks a new use hath been found for Xmarks....

[ForresterModern]

To wife: sorry dear but I misplaced my Blackberry for the last couple days in the hotel shuffle, then did not get a chance to call last night as we did not get back to the room until late. Not sure why the UK pay as you go phone is not recieving calls but it calls out fine (obviously as I just got off the phone with you).

To anybody who was concerned for Wife's sake, thank you. I got in dutch because I had promised to call every day and just didn't last night---you guys don't get excuses.

To anybody following the story:
Now three days since the event At Royal Troon have passed and still no reply from the club about an explanation or apology. Have played four kilted rounds in addition to the one I was forced to play in pants at Troon (one before at Turnberry, and three since at Muirfield, Carnoustie, and the New Course at St Andrews today) without comments other than positive or the usual joking. Have been stopped for directions twice, had my photo taken with about 30 different people, and taken by another 30-40 as well.

Two more rounds (possibly three if we sneak in a double round tomorrow) then home Sunday. If no response from the club by the time I get home, I will try other avenues of communication through their website to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe even direct surface mail, then if still no response this goes to the editors of the major newspapers in the US and UK, particularly Scotland.. Already had one friend mention that a friend of his who works for ESPN may be interested in the story. This could go international next week sometime.


Will keep you posted. Thanks for all your support.


jeff

p.s. for anybody interested I am playing well below my ability, tolerating the rain each day since Sunday during our golf, enjoying great company, and getting fat on some nice meals.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Jeff, I think you might want to show a bit more patience in waiting for a reply from the Royal Troon. In August many people (like yourself) are on holiday, and it may be that the Club Secretary-- the only person authorized to correspond with anyone on behalf of the Club-- is away until the end of the month. I can understand that there is a cultural difference between the social expectations of people from the United States and those who live in the United Kingdom, but generally speaking one would usually expect a letter to a club (as opposed to some sort of government body or commercial enterprise) to be answered with thirty days, not two or three days, and certainly answered by the post, not email. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Scotland and keep your head down on the swing.