2010 Golf Graduation Ceremony, University of St. Andrews

Watson, Palmer and Harrington, not backed by Luca Brazi, but instead, Peter Alliss over Palmer's shoulder (Click to enlarge)I was lucky enough to drive by Younger Hall this week and see where Bobby Jones accepted the Freedom of the City and delivered the greatest impromptu speech in the game's history. Even luckier to get inside to see this hallowed ground, and still more fortunate to have a ticket to today's "Golf Graduation Ceremony" whereupon Honorary Degrees were bestowed upon Padraig Harrington, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, along with honorary R&A professional Jim Farmer and Richemont CEO Johann Rupert.

Besides all of the expected pomp, circumstance and inevitable throat lumps when The King got choked up over the outpouring of affection from the packed house, the ceremony included lovely performances by the St. Salavator's Chapel Choir and in a moment of good fortune, a rare chance to brush up on my Latin and an early tour through the history of the game delivered by St. Andrews Principal Dr. Louise Richardson, who mercifully cut things off sometime before the Gutta was introduced in favor of allowing the patient and well-behaved crowd a chance to see their legends take the Academic Procession to the streets.

A few images from the day, click on them to enlarge