The state of independence

Today is the Fourth of July. I had an email today from a friend in the US despairing about the steps backwards on so many fronts, environmental, regulatory, foreign aid, human rights. I went through a patch in June when I felt immobilised by the dread that comes from watching democracy die. Abandoning Ukraine (for instance, no longer sharing intelligence that helped Ukrainians defend themselves) is a blight on US history. Similarly, US support for Netanyahu as his forces murder starving people who are trying to get food. And the National Guard in the streets of California as ICE arrests people willy nilly. Nothing but shame attached to being an American.

I don't know how I would get through these days without my dogs. And golf, golf is a great way to focus the mind elsewhere. Golf is to me what squirrel is to dog in the film Up.

Speaking of golf, there has been a lot of it over the past month. 13 June was away day at Spa Golf Club. I won some golf balls for having a strong back nine.

The Ballyhackers Golf Society had an away weekend on 20-22 June at Ballymascanlon. A lot of weddings are held there and there's a lovely rose garden for photos.

They keep the gardens spit spot.

I had the high score both days so came away with 30 pounds. Happy days. I played Saturday and Sunday at Ballymascanlon, then Tuesday and Thursday the following week in the Lady President's Cup (my scores were decent but not good enough to win). Then I had matches the following Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. It's the height of the golf season. The Sunday and Tuesday matches were foursomes (I hit every other shot with my partner). I didn't play well in those but today, Friday the Fourth, I won in match play against a much better player. I lucked out because she's had more matches than me, including one the night before, and she was exhausted.

In between the Tuesday and Friday matches, I went with a friend to Carton House to watch the professional women play in the Irish Women's Open on Thursday, 3 July. Wednesday night we stayed at Maynooth University – 53 pounds a night instead of 600 pounds at Carton House. Here's the view from my window:

At the far end is the English Chapel, which mom and I visited years ago. Below is what I call the corridor of creepy cardinals. Some of them have a stare so cold it would make your blood freeze.

This is the college we stayed in. That's fellow golfer Anne in front.

And me peeping out of the door within the door.

Our rooms were dorm rooms – simple and clean. All we needed for a night's kip. In this photo I show how big the quad is:

Thursday morning we made our way to the O'Meara Course's 10th hole to watch Leona Maguire tee off. She played with Anna Nordqvist and amateur Aine Donegan, who was very impressive (currently studying at Louisiana State University). She's from Ennis in the West of Ireland so heaven knows how she can handle that heat. Below are Anna (white jacket, very tall!), Leona (purple jacket, very wee) and Aine (far right in hoodie).

Here's Leona teeing off on a wicked par 3 – a very wide stream angles across the fairway in front of the green – part of the stream visible between the trees.

Below, Leona in the middle, Anna on the right. Random tower in the background. There are two golf courses on 1,100 acres. Beautiful views all the way around. Shandon is boxed in by houses on all sides – a city course. It's nice to have all this room and so many lovely trees.

In the morning, we followed Leona's three ball. In the afternoon, we jumped around. A bit of Charley Hull and Georgia Hall – two famous English players. A bit of Olivia Mehaffey, from Northern Ireland. A bit of two amateur Irish players, Anabelle Wilson and Sara Byrne. In the morning we did the back nine, in the afternoon the front nine. A LOT of walking. In between we had lunch in front of Carton House.

There was a putting competition. Here is Anne giving it a go. I got the putt in and so I am in for a chance to win a two-ball on the championship course. I also spent 20 euro to enter a competition to win a car. So I look forward to driving to Carton House in my new Mini to play golf.

It was a windy day and it rained on and off. But it wasn't cold and we had good gear. This was during one of the sunny bits.

I drove home Thursday night. Got up Friday and took the dogs for a long walk. At the course by 9:15 am for three holes of practice, then the match at 10 am. I won 6-5, which means I was six holes up with five holes to go. So the match ended on the 13th. I had lunch at the golf club then went home for a short break. Dogs in car and off to the gym for an hour with the personal trainer – more weight or more reps, never two weeks the same. Then took the dogs for a walk and now I am home completely exhausted. Looking at my watch to see if it's too early to go to bed.

4 July