Hamilton Golf Club was founded in 1892 and was first located on a site near the now demolished Hamilton Palace, former home of the Dukes of Hamilton. In 1925 the club moved to its present site and the new course layout was developed by the famous course designer, James Braid. A feature of the original layout is the number of bunkers which were included, all of which still come into play for the average golfer today. Billy and I arrived our usual hour early and enjoyed a coffee and Bacon Roll each before setting off in yet another calm and sunny morning. My playing partners today were John Semple (Haggs Castle) and Alex Gray (Bothwell Castle), and their company was a pleasure. Unfortunately, I was still on a high from yesterday and did not play as well as I should have. Having reached the turn in six over par there was little chance of making the buffer zone off my new five handicap. But I didn’t give up and managed a respectable one over par 37 on the inward half, for a net score of 75 which only missed the buffer zone by two strokes. With the course in very good condition and the surface of the greens smooth and quick, I was unable to lay the blame for my score on the quality of the course. However after a nice lunch and a pint, I am ready for the next challenge.