ESPN Milwaukee Scotland Trip 2024
I began advertising with our local ESPN radio affiliate in 2023, sponsoring their “On The Tee” program hosted by Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson. One of the natural fits was to work with them on a trip across the pond to the home of golf, St. Andrews, Scotland. We ended up with a group of 20 avid golfers to experience one of the greatest destinations in all of golf together. Front Row: Cory Silseth, Joe Kauflin, Tim Haldiman, Deb Turk, Steve Schonert, Stephen Watson, Mark Blutstein, Chad McGraw, Bill Conway. Back Row: Jason Kauflin, Andy Kuhl, John Kauflin, Jim Larkin, Glen Turk, Dino DeRose, Chris Della, Gabe Neitzel, Austin Della, Dan Della. Frank Kauflin not pictured.
2024 ESPN Scotland Day 1 – Arrival & Anstruther GC
Lots to contend with getting 20 total golfers into Edinburgh on multiple flights and getting them where they need to go. The way it shook out, there were 7 of us who were able to get into St. Andrews around lunch time. After taking a quick tour of the Old Course (closed on Sundays for play), we then got to see the new Singles Daily Lottery kiosks for the first time. After many in our group signed up, we investigated trying to play one of the other St. Andrews courses, but to no avail. So I hatched a spontaneous plan that could not have worked out better. The 7 of us headed down to Anstruther Golf Club, a 9-hole course only about 15 minutes from St. Andrews. OH MY GOODNESS did we have some fun at Anstruther. For 30 pounds, it was incredible. The course was so interesting and so well kept, we were blown away!! We then walked into downtown Anstruther to get some fish and chips before meeting up with the rest of the group at Hawkswood Country Estates.
ESPN Milwaukee Scotland Day 2 – Dumbarnie Links
Our first full day together as a group started with a fantastic breakfast buffet put on by the Hawkswood Country Estates team. Owner John Ainscough and his daughter, Mary-Jo, saw after our group all week. I cannot say enough about the estate and how much effort is put in to making sure all guests are extremely comfortable. It is a first-rate organization! All 20 of us headed to Dumbarnie Links and it will be a day that none of us forgets anytime soon. One of the calmest and most beautiful days that any group of golfers could expect in mid-October in Scotland. We ended the evening with a BBQ Dinner, again supplied by the estate!
ESPN Milwaukee Scotland Day 3 – Carnoustie
After another terrific breakfast at Hawkswood, we all boarded a shuttle for a full day at Carnoustie. Weather was a little nippier, but overall it played terrific. What a fantastic overall product put forward by Carnoustie. The clubhouse, the golf course, the pro shop, the restaurant….all world-class. A great day had by all!
ESPN Milwaukee Scotland Day 4 – New/Jubilee Courses
It was a sad thing to leave the Hawkswood Country Estates after the experience that we had there. But transitioning to the Old Course Hotel was nothing to sneeze at! After moving our luggage over to the OCH, the group was split into 2 with some playing the New Course and some playing the Jubilee Course that afternoon. It was a cold and steady rain, but enjoyable nonetheless!
ESPN Milwaukee Scotland Day 5 – Castle/Old Course
Thursday, October 17, 2024 will be a day that some in our group will never forget. Some did their own thing that day. A majority of the group played The Castle Course under beautiful, sunny skies. But Gabe Neitzel, Stephen Watson, and Chris and Austin Della will remember the day for another reason. All 4 of them were able to snag spots to play The Old Course! Gabe was the first to go off and some of us got to watch him play his first couple of holes from the 4th floor of the Old Course Hotel at breakfast. A large group of us then went down to see The Dellas off the first hole before going over to the Castle Course. I left the Castle Course early to go back and hook up with the Dellas for their final couple of holes together. Then I went back to the 17th tee box to wait for Stephen Watson and get some photos and video for him as well. I was very proud to help record some memories for all of them!!
Chris and Austin Della on The Old Course
Stephen Watson on The Old Course
ESPN Milwaukee Scotland Day 6 – Kingsbarns
To play one of the great golf courses in Scotland is one thing, but to do it in those conditions? What an incredibly beautiful day we had at Kingsbarns, barely dealing with any elements to speak of. It was definitely the favorite course for most of the attendees. Just a tremendous mixture of hole types and views. And we were treated like royalty from the minute we stepped onto the property. Thank you, Kingsbarns!! We finished off the evening with a great group dinner at the Swilcan Loft Restaurant at the Old Course Hotel.
ESPN Milwaukee Scotland Day 7 – Castle/Old/Panmure
With the other half of the group getting their chance to play The Castle Course on our final day, others in the group did their own thing. The Della Crew took the train to Glasgow to catch the Celtic/Aberdeen football match. Cory Silseth was in the mid-teens on the waiting list for the Old Course, but decided to walk down to the starter’s pavilion around 7:00am to hunker down and see what might happen. His dedication paid off, getting off on the world’s most famous course when a twosome decided not to show up before lunch. And Chad McGraw and I traveled up to Panmure to cross off a course we had heard nothing but great things about. The course did NOT disappoint!
