SCOTLAND PHEASANT SHOOT AND SO MUCH MORE!
By Suz Trusty
knowledge was invaluable,” he says. Jutt adds, “Ten of us were shooting and around 15 people were shaking noise- making “beaters” while walking through the woods to startle the pheasants into flight.” Willie notes, “We were positioned at a station at the bottom of the woods, so birds coming to us were high and fast.” Jutt reports that made the shooting challenging, yet they killed between 180 and 190 birds that day.
(From left to right) Mark, Jutt, Aaron and Lonnie, in hunting attire, in front of the historic Drummond Estates mansion.
During the exciting bidding process at Te Lawn Institute’s Live Auction held at TPI’s 50 & Fabulous Anniversary Celebration in February of 2017, Aaron McWhorter, NG Turf, Whitesburg, Georgia, bid $12,500 for a “Pheasant Hunting Trip for Four—in Scotland.” Te hunting package was donated by Willie Baird, Turffit Ltd., Lochgelly, Fife, in Scotland.
TLI focuses its resources on scholarships, education and turfgrass-related research along with outreach efforts to increase the understanding and appreciation of the benefits of turfgrass. Both Willie and Aaron considered auction participation a way to support those initiatives and enjoy a wonderful experience.
As they discussed the trip arrangements, Aaron reports Willie told him it would be a “traditional pheasant hunt.” An online search revealed a dress code of suits and hats. Aaron says, “So we were prepared and looking forward to the hunt and some sightseeing. Willie was a great host, surprising us with some excellent additions.”
Aaron McWhorter; his son, Mark, and his two sons- in-law, Lonnie Alexander and Jutt Howard, arrived in mid-November. Te following day, they shot Clay Pigeons to “get their eye in.” Willie says, “Watching them, I concluded our birds would need Kevlar protection!”
Te next day, they ventured through Gleneagles Estate to the drive called ‘Te Drummond,’ part of a historic estate that now spans 61,000 acres. Willie had arranged for ‘stuffers.’ “Along with loading assistance, their local
34
Posing on Swilcan Bridge on the old course of St. Andrews are (from left to right) Mark and Willie (standing) Jutt, Lonnie and Aaron (sitting).
Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News. Photos provided by Jutt Howard. TPI Turf News March/April 201 018
Willie arranged a trip to the Royal Athletics, the managers of St. Andrews. Jutt says, “We had lunch in the club house, toured the old course, and took a photo on Swilcan Bridge, between the 1st and 18th fairways.”
Tey also fit in some great networking, touring Willie’s farm, checking out their grasses; how they mine, bag and sell a topsoil product; how they build pallets; and seeing the unique tools and attachments they’ve fabricated. Tey dug into operational details with Willie and his sales staff, chatting about marketing and working with golf courses and sports fields—and so much more.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
