2010 Golf Graduation Ceremony, University of St. Andrews
;)
Watson, Palmer and Harrington, not backed by Luca Brazi, but instead, Peter Alliss over Palmer's shoulder (Click to enlarge)I was lucky enough to drive by Younger Hall this week and see where Bobby Jones accepted the Freedom of the City and delivered the greatest impromptu speech in the game's history. Even luckier to get inside to see this hallowed ground, and still more fortunate to have a ticket to today's "Golf Graduation Ceremony" whereupon Honorary Degrees were bestowed upon Padraig Harrington, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, along with honorary R&A professional Jim Farmer and Richemont CEO Johann Rupert.
Besides all of the expected pomp, circumstance and inevitable throat lumps when The King got choked up over the outpouring of affection from the packed house, the ceremony included lovely performances by the St. Salavator's Chapel Choir and in a moment of good fortune, a rare chance to brush up on my Latin and an early tour through the history of the game delivered by St. Andrews Principal Dr. Louise Richardson, who mercifully cut things off sometime before the Gutta was introduced in favor of allowing the patient and well-behaved crowd a chance to see their legends take the Academic Procession to the streets.
A few images from the day, click on them to enlarge
;)
;)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 03:49 PM
Reader Comments (6)
On Bobby Jones:
Standing there, facing the people of St. Andrews, he spoke not from notes but from the heart. He spoke about his gratitude for the friendship he had always felt from the citizens of the town. “I could take out my life everything but my experiences here in St. Andrews and I would still have had a rich and full life,” he said, adding, “Now I officially have the right to feel at home in St. Andrews as much as I, in fact, have always done.”
Thunderous applause followed his remarks; then Jones and Provost Leonard got into an electric golf cart and began to roll down the aisle. A lone tenor voice began singing – and others took it up until the entire assembly joined in a spontaneous rendition of the beautiful old Scottish air: “Will Ye No’ Come Back Again?”
British golf writer Pat Ward-Thomas said, “It was a deeply moving moment with a deadly finality to it. Everyone knew that St. Andrews would never see him, or anyone like him, again. Herbert Warren Wind and I left the Hall together and some minutes passed before either of us could trust his voice.”
Good enough for a "caption this", maybe?
Padraig Harriton, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to Younger Hall on your graduation day. And may your first round be a masculine round.
What an unbelievable honour to be inducted in such company.Well done Jim!!