By 1980, I was ensconsed in Embra and had been a member of North Berwick West for five years.
A notice went up in the locker room advising members that volunteer stewards were required for that year’s Open at our neighbouring course. Muirfield, home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
My mate Dave and I signed up instanter. In due course we got the call to go for training on a Wednesday evening in June. We took an hour off work, drove the 25 miles to NB and smacked our drives down the first fairway just after 5 pm.
Played a full round and made the 7.30 pm training session with time to spare. Listened, learned. got accredited and went off to smack our drives down said first fairway again. Putted out on the 18th (in sufficient light) just the wrong side of 10 pm.
That was a magic day but better was to follow. We were given four days’ worth of free parking with vouchers for serious subsistence and/or drink to do something that we were desperate to do anyway.
Our club were charged with control of the 13th which is a very short crow’s hop from the 18th. It follows that we were in the vanguard of the stewards who held the crowd back on the 18th on the last day and that we had a close up view of Tom Watson winning that particular Open from Lee Trevino by a country mile.
Tonight, I watched the great golfer and gentleman that was and is Tom Watson saying goodbye to the Open in the gathering gloom of the 18th hole of the Old Course.
I wish that I could have been there as well.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Of mild interest. As promised I’m happy to be here. 😉
Volunteering can be its own reward, but usually the perks pay for all.
I just watched a documentary on Peter Alliss. Having no interest in golf, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the programme. He is quite a character.