The Geordie Tourist.

Sunday was the last day of the PGA Seniors Championship Tour at Close House in Newcastle. You can check out my antics from Saturday here.

We arrived a little later than the previous day, but our main goal unlike yesterday was to pick a group of players and follow them around the course. We went for the group which was mainly leading that consisted of Fowler, Mason and Golding. Fowler went on to win and Mason and Golding finished in the top five, so not too shabby at all. We caught them at the 9^th hole and they were just putting as we arrived.

It was a total different atmosphere to Saturday. When you follow a certain player or players you get to see their performance throughout the course and you feel more attached. (Not in a creepy stalker way.) You just get to witness their shots, when they go into the bunker, or nearly get a whole in one. It’s thrilling to watch at times and it’s all the better when you know who’s actually holding the golf club. It also cool being with lots of other people and travelling from course to course with them.

Today I was much more impressed with Close House too. My mam and I took a little break from the crowd and walked next to what I’m guessing is the club house or one of the club houses. There was a gorgeous looking lake with a bridge going over it. It was filled with flowers and lily pads and swans and their babies just swimming about. There was a little rowing boat tied up at the side too. It was a great spot for some photo taking put it that way. I could have sat there all day just taking it all in.

There were a few statues of horses about too which I took a few cheeky snaps of.

We followed the players until hole 13 which probably doesn’t sound like a lot, but there’s plenty of walking up and down various sized hills. There’s just mounds everywhere, lots of people were falling on the slippery grass. It's all part of the experience though.

We went for hot chocolates and took up our spot next to hole 18. It seems to be a favourite of ours. We didn’t watch until the end, but it was still great seeing the various players take their turns. 

All in all I loved going to Close House to watch the golf. It was my first time seeing in not on TV and I think after this I'd love to go to more golfing events. This was a great one to get me started as there wasn't hoards and hoards of people there.

Wherever I go next time, I think I'll make sure to brush up on my knowledge of the players, and I'll definitely take a picnic or a blanket to sit on. You live and you learn.

Did any of you watch the PGA Seniors Championship Tour at Close House?

This past week has been the PGA Seniors Championship Tour. It was being held at Close House in Newcastle. I’m a fan of golf and thought it would be something fun to do. I’ve watched games on the TV before but have never actually seen it in real life. My knowledge of golf isn’t anything amazing. Basically I get the gist of the rules; I know a few players and I like watching it. To be honest you don’t even need to know anything. (As long as you like to watch it, then who cares about anything else.) We all know the end goal is to get the ball into the hole.

The tournament started on Thursday and finished yesterday. I went on the weekend with my mam and her fiancé Geoff. They are both quite fond of golf and have just recently come back from the BMW PGA at Wentworth. I think I’m going to go next year, so it was great to go here and get a taster of what it’s all about.

On the Saturday we spent time looking in the village. There were basically lots of tents with different golf-type things like merchandise and signing up to golf clubs etc. I like to watch golf, but I have no interest in playing it. (Not yet anyways) There were a few cars about the place too. Very geared towards men, but hey that’s to be expected. There was a little putting thing that had been built into a BMW which was cool.

We sat and watched people on the driving range for a bit, before heading over to play a bit of mini golf. I watched as my mam and Geoff tried to outdo each other. They then each had a little golf lesson from a professional. I think they’re going to go and get proper lessons which is great. It’s something they can do together.

Afterwards we went to hole 18 to watch the golfers as they finished. It’s surreal being where the action is instead of just watching it on TV. It felt a bit like being behind the scenes on a film or something.

They had food vans too and we stopped for fish and chips. They were £7 each which is mental. The chips tasted great though and the fish was top notch. (Still, for £7 though)

We weren’t really watching any players in particular. I’m not going to lie I didn’t know who any of them were. It was good just watching them tee off and putt though.

We left a little early to avoid the traffic and got an ice cream on the way out. I went for a sundae boat. It was two scoops of Mr. Whippy in a red plastic boat. The lady went wild putting on sprinkles and wafers and every kind of sauce they had available. I wasn’t complaining though. That was £3. So yeah if you ever find yourself watching the golf at Close House, take money and be prepared for the prices.

It was free to watch the golf itself and £10 per car to park. It's good value really considering the prices to go to some of the golfing events that are on. I was just pleased I got to try it out. Sunday was an even better day and I'll be telling you all about it tomorrow. 

Did any of you watch the golf?