British Golf Courses

BRITISH GOLF COURSES typically contain high roughs, rolling fairways, and deep weeds, which present a challenge to foreigners not used to the conditions. In the 2001 British Open, David Duval navigated the rugged turf of Royal Lytham & St. Annes to capture his first major title.

The Jacksonville, Florida, native shared the lead with Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, and Alex Cejka heading into the final day. Because the competition boasted the greatest number of coleaders in any Grand Slam in 23 years, most observers expected a shoot-out for the title or possibly even a playoff.

But Duval, noted for his wraparound sunglasses and stoic expression, took charge. A birdie on 3 and back-to-back birdies on 6 and 7 gave the American a two-stroke lead.

A tee shot into the rough resulted in a bogey for Duval on 12, but instead of collapsing in the backstretch as he had done the previous year, the golfer rallied with a birdie. Despite hitting two drives into the knee-high grass on 14 and 15, he recovered for par on both and approached the final three holes with a three-stroke margin.

Duval parred the rest of the round, finishing the day with a 4-under 67. His four-day total of 274, 10-under-par, bettered Sweden’s Niclas Fasth by three shots. Duval became the sixth American in seven years to claim the British Open crown.

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POINT Athletes usually find competing at home easier than on the road. Events held in foreign countries present even greater challenges. Jet lag, time changes, unfamiliar foods, and sometimes even different languages contribute to the difficulty. But David Duval found a comfort zone in the British Open.

As Christians we can feel at home no matter where we are. God created the entire world and is Lord of all. In the Old Testament, God told Jacob that he would always be with him—no matter where he went. The same thing is true today: God is with you no matter where you go.

GOAL! God could take you to a multitude of places during your lifetime. Perhaps you’ll travel to a different nation. Maybe you’ll live in the inner city or out in the country. But it doesn’t matter where you are because God’s there too. Praise him for that fact.