About three years ago, an Orangeburg golfer traveled to the land of Scotland, the home and birthplace of links, cuffs and tees.

He went for fun last time. This time it’s the real thing.

“Yeah, I am excited,” Orangeburg’s Bob Varn says of his invitation to the 2007 British Seniors Open Amateur Championship. “I’m excited about going over there and competing on that level.”

“Over there” is Nairn, Scotland, the site of this year’s tournament to be held for three days this week beginning Wednesday.

A few fellow golfers and Varn went over about three years ago for what Varn calls a golfing trip rather than a sightseeing vacation. The men went to play golf, and golf they did.

But that was for fun. Sort of.

The 58-year-old Varn prefers pure competition over games for “funsies.” It was his play at last year’s USGA U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the Victoria National Golf Club in Indiana that got the Orangeburg dentist the invitation to play in the equivalent tournament in the UK.

In the two-day September 2006 tournament, Varn was 8 over par to tie for 27th.

The tournament this week will begin with more than 200 golfers from around the world, including the 2006 Senior Amateur Champion Paul Simpson of North Carolina. After Thursday, the field will be pared down to the 60 best scores.

“This is supposed to be in the Highlands of Scotland,” Varn said. “You have to get in some good shots, some good putts. I think I can compete.”

Locally known as “Sunny Nairn” because of its claim of having more sunshine than other regions in Scotland, the ward (county) is located in the Scottish Highlands about 170 kilometres north of the capital Edinburgh.

But Varn knows it’s typical Scottish weather to begin with brilliant sunshine, become doused with a rainstorm off the North Sea and end under a glowing sunset.

“I’ve got my rain gear,” he said, laughing.

However, he’s used to obstacles thrown at him by the elements. Varn began playing golf in high school and was a frequent visitor to the nearby Bowman Country Club. After high school, he was able to play golf in college at Baptist College in Charleston.

In 1452, Scottish King James II banned the game of “goulf” because “it kept his subjects from their archery practice,” according to Wikipedia.com.

With little need for archers, the Varn family supports Bob’s enjoyment of the game. He practices every day at least 30 minutes and plays several times a week – weekends and Wednesdays are golf days.

“We’re going as cheerleaders,” Varn’s wife, Bobbie, jokes – golf is a quiet game. She knows any “cheerleading” would have the overzealous fan watching the last rounds of golf from the clubhouse gates.

“I’m actually going to see if I can get her to caddy for me,” Bob says, returning serve on the jokes.

Varn says, however, the clubhouse has activities planned for non-tournament family members.

Turning the topic to his chances of winning, Varn feels good about the upcoming tourney in spite of many talented players from around the world in the field. Even prior to his departure for Edinburgh Friday afternoon, he was out practicing his short shot.

“I really enjoy competition, I try to play a few tournaments a year,” Varn said in between shots. “I tee it up, let it fly, and I play harder.”

-- T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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