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Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Inside the luxury world of dog wellness — as experienced by one very lucky golden retriever
The Jaguar Supersport, '65 Ford Thunderbird and '73 Alfa Romeo are taken by other clients today, so Dug — an 8-year-old golden retriever — is being chauffeured to the Sunset Strip in a presidential Cadillac stretch limo for his spa treatments. He's headed to Collar & Comb in West Hollywood, where he'll be getting a blueberry facial and exfoliating mud mask from the same professionals who groom the mutts of Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Wahlberg and Dakota Johnson. Dug sits upright on the limo's black Corinthian leather seat, flanked by crystal liquor decanters on one side and a TV and VCR on the other. He gazes out the window, tongue hanging out excitedly, as the spiky palm trees whiz by. Then he flops down and chomps on a stuffed Chewy Vuiton Paris bone toy. Such is the world of dog wellness in Los Angeles. The goal? 'Heal.' Wellness for dogs is a niche industry that mirrors the spectrum of wellness treatments for humans. As with humans, it swings from the relaxing and rejuvenating to the dubious. Vet-affiliated treatments include acupuncture, hydrotherapy and chiropractic care. Nutrition is its own subculture that includes raw and organic food, supplements and Western and Chinese herbal remedies. On the pampering end, dog spas and private practitioners offer massage, reiki meditation, inflammation-fighting red light therapy and skin and nail treatments, such as deluxe 'pawdicures.' Fido feeling anxious? Try forest bathing or see a pet psychic. Human-centric wellness for dogs is 'at a high point,' says 'Pet Buzz' radio show co-host, Charlotte Reed. One reason: As vet bills rise, there's been a greater focus on preventative care in recent years — although such preventative wellness is expensive, too. Also, as self-care for humans becomes more popular, there are simply more wellness products and services being developed for dogs. And an increasing number of pet owners now view their dogs as children, Reed says. A New York court recently ruled that dogs can be legally recognized as immediate family members in the state. 'People are worried about the world. So a lot of people are not having children — and they're treating their dogs like kids,' Reed says. 'Dogs — like kids — are a reflection of your lifestyle. If you're into health and wellness, that's what you want your dog to be into.' At the same time, warns American Kennel Club chief veterinarian Dr. Jerry Klein, pet owners must be careful not to project human desires onto animals that, at best, don't share the same tastes. 'A lot of this stuff, it's geared to the humans. But what we derive pleasure and relaxation from might create the opposite for a dog that might not want to be touched or handled. People should get their vet's opinion, always, before doing anything that might affect the dog's health.' I enlisted Dug — a wellness newbie whom I've known for years as his owners, Jeff and Lisa Alulis, are friends — to undergo a week of pampering in L.A. in order to explore some of the dog wellness treatments available. Dug is a happy-go-lucky guy. But he had a rough puppyhood, having been abandoned at a shelter where he suffered distemper, a viral disease and heartworm before being adopted. Perhaps because of that, he has nightmares, during which he kicks his feet and yelps. Could a relaxing sound bath help? It was worth a shot. Victorious Solomon greeted us at Den Urban Dog Retreat in a man bun and T-shirt that reads 'meditate with your dog.' The 10,000-square-foot space in Cypress Park, which Solomon owns with Lindsay Velez, is a dog 'wellness campus' — Canyon Ranch for canines — that includes holistic grooming, daycare, hikes and spa services such as massage, aromatherapy, reiki, animal communication and crystal therapy. It also hosts workshops and social events for pups and their humans: Think coffee, DJs and dogs. Solomon led us to a low-lit event space that featured a wall-length mural of a forest accentuated by flickering candles and swinging macramé chairs. About 20 dogs lay on yoga mats with their owners or they milled about the room as the free 'relaxation concert' began, the sounds of crystal quartz and Tibetan brass bowls commingling with intermittent barking. Sound healer Crystal Cao says she configured the event for canines: It was only 30 minutes long due to their attention spans (no distracting squirrels within eyeshot, but still) and she played 'lower, primal, base tones to keep them calm and centered.' But every time she swayed the ocean drum, filled with beads that mimicked the sound of rain, Dug got up to explore, standing in front of it, head cocked to the side. Eventually, like most other dogs there, Dug took a cue from his humans and relaxed on his mat as they stroked his fur. He left the sound bath seemingly relaxed, per usual. But the nightmares persisted. Would his owners bring him back? Absolutely — if just for the dog social hour that took place in the yard beforehand. Dug is up for nearly any water adventure. But walking on a treadmill, in a glass tank filled with water at chest level was new to him — and admittedly a little scary at first. But the folks at Buddy: Canine Wellness in Studio City were so patient he got through it. (Plus, the spa-like lobby featured soothing, scented candles and a jar of milk bone treats.) Buddy isn't affiliated with a veterinary practice. It doesn't diagnose or prescribe but focuses, instead, on preventive health through fitness and recreation. In private sessions, dogs perform strength building and cardio workouts on an underwater treadmill or in a small swimming pool heated to 85 degrees, supposedly to aid blood circulation. (The initial hourlong visit is $250 with fitness assessment; then it's $100 for 30-45 minutes.) The workouts are zero- or low-impact and easy on the joints, so suited for older dogs or those with arthritis or recovering from injuries. Dug is in excellent health. So he visited Buddy for recreation — several clients come to burn off energy when it's too hot to walk outdoors. Dug donned a life jacket in the pool and treaded around in the water, chasing a ball as co-owner Jazz Pritchard led him around in circles on a leash. Dug's head is so massive that, with the rest of his body mostly underwater, he resembled a blond, furry Hippo cutting through the water's surface. If the goal was to tire Dug out, it was met: He slept soundly when he got home. But still: nightmares. Reiki for humans is a Japanese energy-healing modality that, practitioners say, aids relaxation, pain relief and overall health by realigning the body's energy centers, or 'chakras.' For dogs, it looks like a gentle petting session. Reiki practitioner Stacey Gong worked on Dug for 30 minutes as he laid on the grass, seaside, at Miramar Park in Redondo Beach. Gong works for Tailwagger's Massage & Hydrofitness, which also offers restorative and sports massages as well as inflammation-fighting cold laser therapy, among other services. Dug gazed out at the ocean through the Torrey pine trees, as Gong smoothed his fur and gently ran her fingers along his spine. She softly squeezed his hip muscles, then caressed his midsection, shoulders and neck. Dug flipped onto his back, all four paws stretched out wide — Reiki was not so bad! 'His chakras are in pretty good shape,' Gong said afterward, as she applied a series of five essential oil blends specially created for animals. But his third eye chakra, she added, was slow. 'It's swinging in the right direction, but we made it faster, so everything will be in concert,' she said. 'And the dreams — I don't think they're bad. It's more like he's chasing bunnies.' With his chakras aligned, the wind rippling his thick blond fur and smelling of pungent, earthy oregano oil, Dug stood up, panting merrily, and stared directly into the L.A. Times photographer's lens, as if posing. Now on his third day out, Dug seemed to be feeling confident, more familiar with the camera that trailed him, even seeming to court it at times. Was Dug a wellness influencer in the making? If so, Dug already has nearly 4,000 followers on Instagram. Photos of Reiki, seaside — a quintessential L.A. experience — stand to boost that number. But if nothing else, the $150 Reiki session was not a bad way to spend a Dog Day Afternoon. Dug hopped out of the limo at Collar & Comb (the same limo featured in the 1988 movie 'Twins,' starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito) and — like any aspiring wellness influencer — posed for photos, snout in the air, in front of the luxury, members-only grooming and wellness salon. It was a feast of scents inside: gourmet chicken feet treats! New plushie toys! Fresh mint leaves and aloe vera for his upcoming facial! Collar & Comb is a canine luxury ecosystem, with three social houses for dogs and their humans, three grooming salons and four private dog parks, not to mention a fleet of high-end vehicles to transport four-legged clients. And Dug got the true VIP treatment. He was whisked into a soundproof 'spa suite,' where the founder, Paul Leonard, and master stylist, Yanko Hernandez, prepared the ingredients for his treatments. They swirled hand-muddled blueberries and raw honey into organic, sugar-free yogurt for his facial; they stirred exfoliating Japanese volcanic sand into mineral-rich Korean mud for his hydrating mask. In his pursuit of perfection, Leonard barked orders to his staff with all the intensity of an ER doctor in an episode of 'The Pitt': 'Towels!' he yelled. (They appeared within seconds.) 'Comb!' (Same.) Dug took it all in stride, seemingly enjoying the two sets of hands rubbing the fragrant food into his face. He even managed to sneak in a lick, tasting the yogurt. Meanwhile, Dug's dad was treated to a plush bathrobe and champagne while relaxing in a massage chair as a mix of lo-fi jazz and jungle rock played on the sound system. He watched Dug getting pampered through the glass wall. Dug was blown dry and finished off with a hotel-grade, organic cotton towel, rubbed with nourishing paw-balm and spritzed with 'show dog' scent cologne. He didn't join Collar & Comb given the $75 monthly dues minimum (which doesn't include the cost of treatments), but he memorialized the experience with another round of photos, this time posing with an enormous cow knee bone in-mouth, a final treat to top off the indulgent day. Dug may have enjoyed his afternoon with William Riddle, a certified canine masseuse, the most. For one, Riddle's Doggissage is mobile, traveling through parts of Orange County and Los Angeles. So Dug got to relax in the comfort of his own backyard during his deep tissue massage. And the $50 hourlong massage was essentially a vigorous petting session, though different than the Reiki he'd experienced. Riddle applied increasing degrees of pressure, gently loosening up Dug's muscles at first, and stimulating circulation, before going deeper. Dug stretched out on a blanket by the swimming pool, a fountain trickling nearby. Riddle noticed that, like many dogs, Dug's neck area was tight — dogs put 60% of their weight on their front legs, stressing their necks, Riddle explained — and so he spent more time massaging that area. Fine by Dug! Riddle performed somatics on Dug, slowly and smoothly moving his limbs to supposedly refine brain-muscle connection. Fine by Dug! Riddle even used a small metal tool that looked like a comb to help relieve tension. It was like being brushed. Also fine — two paws up! Riddle performs canine massage for both relaxation and rehabilitation — he says that it relieves muscle tension and stress, increases blood flow and mobility and may ease pain from arthritis. But he strongly recommends discussing it with a veterinarian first. Dug ended his massage with a beef stick treat — he'd have his new best friend back to the house any day! Social connection is a key tenant of wellness. So Dug ended his week at Dog PPL, a private, members-only dog park in Santa Monica with a staff of eerily beautiful people. It's like Soho House for pups. For $120 per month, members can visit as often as they'd like. Pet owners must submit vet and vaccine records and dogs undergo a 'temperament test' before being accepted. The fake grass-laden park is also monitored by 'rufferees,' who are trained in canine safety and behavior. It's as much a community for humans, with a cafe and bar (cocktail of the day: muddled hibiscus margarita) and high-speed Wi-Fi so dog owners can work from the park while their pets play off-leash. Events include fitness classes and trivia nights. Dug trotted in, gleaming from his facial and relaxed from his massage, and immediately made new friends. After stopping at the amenities table for fresh water, towels and doggie sunscreen, Dug tussled with another golden retriever, Bubbles, who was wearing a Goyard collar from Paris. But ultimately, she was too expensive for his taste. Then he bonded with a German shepherd named Gino — the most popular guy in the park. Dug was part of the in crowd! Soon they were a threesome, with a Goldendoodle named Harry. (Dog park gossip: Harry had a crush on Gino too and that stirred tensions between him and Dug.) No matter: The visit was thoroughly enjoyable, the perfect way to cap off a week of wellness in Los Angeles.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Wonderful' Greek town where locals spend summer is 'perfect for budget holiday'
A woman has shared her insight on a small seaside town in Greece that's a "wonderful place" to visit, and is ideal for those "on a budget" - it's where many locals spend their summers A scenic beachside town in Greece, hailed as a "wonderful place" for those on a shoestring budget, has been praised for its charm and affordability. Kiato, nestled in the picturesque Peloponnese region, is a popular spot where locals summer. Greece maintains its allure among holidaymakers thanks to its warm, Mediterranean climate, its high quality, fresh food and produce, cultural offerings, historical landmarks and more. The Peloponnese town of Kiato is making waves among those desperate for a getaway amid the cost of living squeeze. This seaside spot, said to be beloved by Athenians, offers an ideal blend of sun-kissed beaches and delectable Greek cuisine - without breaking the bank. On Facebook, one user shared her affection for the budget-friendly seaside town. Alongside a series of photos of Kiato, she said: "I thought I would suggest a wonderful place I've grown up visiting if you want to see Greece on a budget. "Athenians vacation here during the summer. It's filled with wonderful restaurants and beach bars in the summer months. Note: the beach bars don't charge for you to use their sun beds. Simply buying a coffee will suffice." She detailed how to get there, saying: "No car rental needed. Hop on the train from Athens airport to Kiato. There's one train change and the journey takes one hour and 30 minutes. "Kiato doesn't have many hotels but there are very reasonable Airbnbs available, all walking distance from the beach and town centre. "There is great public transport to cities like Corinth to see the canal or Loutraki for day trips. Also, this region is extremely historic so if you do rent a car, the world is your oyster in terms of sightseeing, visiting nearby beaches, towns, or mountains." Social media users weighed in under her post, with some showing dismay at the exposure of their "secret" destination. One user bemoaned: "Kiato was the best kept secret, until now." Meanwhile, others echoed the sentiment, fearing an influx of tourists due to such posts. Another said: "Posts like this are what ruins 'secret spots' and 'hidden gems'." And another expressed concern, adding: "Oh, noooooo! You've let our secret spot out! It's nice that it's not overrun by tourism." There were other users who appreciated Kiato's mention, including one who commented: "Thanks for this post. My family is from here and I've swum in many waters but none match Corinthian waters! It's truly a hidden gem!" Another shared: "Yup, perfect. I have a house here and come every summer, easy living and beautiful beach." Another holidaymaker shared their experience of Greek getaways, and added: "Why bother with the busy and expensive islands, when you can relax and enjoy real Greek life, food and people, in the Peloponnese!!"
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Corinthian football figures fans celebrate joy of collecting
Between 1995 and 2011, British modelmaker Corinthian created and sold thousands of figures of footballers, known lovingly as Big Heads. Though the company has long since gone, the joy their toys bring is as strong as ever. Why? It's a sweltering day and 200 people are crowded into the stifling Scrutton Bland Premier Suite at Essex County Cricket Club in genuinely couldn't look any happier to be men aged from their mid-30s and up, they have come from across the country to attend the first Corinthian Convention in almost two their retro football shirts betray club allegiances, all enmities are set aside for the one thing they share - an undying love of Big Heads. High Wycombe-based Corinthian made toys for cereal packets before scoring big with the release of its debut range of England players in 1995, with the launch party at a Marlow hotel attended by goalkeeper David as Headliners, figures from English and Scottish clubs and leagues across the world swiftly popular range was rebranded as Prostars several years later and collectors clamoured for more, with conventions held annually in Birmingham from 1999 to 2007, before Corinthian closed in 2011. The 2025 convention has been organised as part of the Essex Retro Football Show by the Corinthian Collectors Club (CCC), a group started by fans of the figures on Facebook in 2021, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the figures' Cook, a 39-year-old marketing lecturer from Burton upon Trent, typifies many of those started collecting when he was nine, having been hooked by a Warren Barton England 96 secret sachet.A childhood of trawling toy shops for Corinthians ensued, but enthusiasm waned in the teenage and early adult years as other distractions emerged, before finally returning in recent years to his first love. "It just takes you back to those fond childhood memories," he says, adding: "Maybe it's also about control."There is a lot in adult life you can't control, but your collection, that's something you can actually do something about."The CCC community is also a big part of the attraction for David. "It's nice to know there are a few other saddos, ahem, I mean like-minded collectors like me," he is now just two figures away from completing his set of the original Headliners range, an impressive - and costly - feat."I can justify it by saying these are an investment," he pauses, everyone knows what's coming next."Not that I'll ever sell them." Craig Robinson, a 39-year-old stock giftware company manager from Scunthorpe, never had the departure from collecting that most did."The joy has never left me," he the creator of the encyclopaedic Corinthian Archive website, has literally written the book on Big Heads, his Football Crazy Corinthians Mad launched in has more than 10,000 figures in his collection, including dozens of one-off highly coveted master models produced by Corinthian to show what completed figures could look include the likes of Niall Quinn and other Sunderland players who were planned but never released as the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League. "In a way my collection is worth nothing," he says, "because I would never sell it."For me now, the biggest enjoyment is actually helping other people get stuff for their collections."The connection to childhood joy and distraction from woes of adult life are strong for Craig. The Newcastle United fan still gets "giddy now" at the memory of his father picking him up from school one day and pulling out a Shaka Hislop from behind his says he was the "right age" when the Big Heads were released and they were a "good price point", his £5-a-week pocket money buying two figures. His collection will never be complete, and neither does he want it to be."It's about the journey," he says. "Once you complete it, then what?" For many, the 2020 coronavirus pandemic was a re-entering point into the hobby."Covid rejuvenated it," says Dave Rule, a 57-year-old toy dealer and Corinthian specialist from Epsom in Surrey."People had more time and money, they went up into lofts, found their old collections and started thinking about completing them," he has been trading Corinthians for 27 years, having started as a collector who wanted to sell some of his market "died a couple of times", he says, first when Corinthian dropped the Headliners brand at the turn of the century and again when the firm folded in now things are almost back to their peak, he says. Fellow dealer Blain Hoskins agrees the hobby is enjoying a 37-year-old Dogs Trust kennel supervisor from Stockton started selling Corinthians to downsize his own collection during the Covid-19 pandemic, but also rediscovered the joy of it all in the process."It's the nostalgia," Blain says, reminiscing about his first purchase, England's Rob Jones, and creating games with his brother Connor using figures and an old Subbuteo pitch. The figures can and do sell for hundreds of pounds, there are mutterings of "bargain" as someone agrees to pay £300 for the ultrarare Norwegian national team 12-pack in Dave's convention collector, arms laden with boxes, bids his comrades a cheery farewell with: "I've spent a fortune, I'm going to have to sell a kidney in the car park now."There are also many tacit agreements to not tell wives and partners about purchases made today, an understanding among collectors that probably dates back to the first conventions. The old gatherings, held mainly at Villa Park, were the centrepiece for trading in Big Pomeroy is now a high-flying economist in the London banking world, but back then, he was a schoolboy from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, with one dream - to become of the envy of all by having a figure made of lost at the 2002 convention's Microstars World Club League, a game played using Corinthian figures, the then 13-year-old spent months devising a winning strategy to take the title in 2003 (crucial to his success was a green-based England Paul Scholes). The prize was a model of the winner, with James opting to sport the kit of his beloved Newcastle United."It is still my greatest life achievement," he says, gazing adoringly at the figure still claiming pride of place on his desk."My wife is sick of me bringing it up when we meet new people and it's what I always go to at a corporate event when you have to tell people something interesting about yourself," James says."Half of people have no idea what I'm talking about, but the rest get very excited about it." Personalised figures have taken on a whole new lease of life in recent years, thanks to the advances in 3D printing and skilled painters like Andrew 45-year-old Manchester United fan from Newton Abbot, Devon, is a postman by day and delivers on collectors' requests at nightHe rediscovered his collection during lockdown and things "snowballed" from there. He repaints figures into the iconic kits that symbolise moments and memories for fans."We grew up in that lucky era where football was at its peak," he says. "It was just getting big and global but it wasn't yet solely about the money." For Dan Lilley, who founded the CCC in 2021, bringing back the convention has been the fulfilment of a wanted the club to be more than just buying and selling, it was to be a community, a distraction from the stresses of daily life, a haven for collectors."We bonded over these little figures," he says. "Now we are all friends." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The National
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
To play for the sake of playing in changing amateur scene
What a prospect. An additional five years of grumbling, cursing, muttering futility? Joie de bloomin' vivre, eh? This fascinating, flummoxing game, of course, remains a constant work in progress so perhaps a few more seasons spent clattering and thrashing away will finally lead to some sort of modest improvement? I very much doubt it. Despite being mired in this seemingly perpetual state of ineptitude, rarely does a week go by without me actually learning something new about my own golf. That means I was ignorant of about four things over the past month. Extend that process back over, say, 30 years, and that's a mightily impressive accumulation of complete and utter ignorance. They do say, of course, that ignorance is bliss. Well, that's what my playing partners sympathetically inform me after they've watched one of my tee-shots and chorus, 'where the hell did that go?' Anyway, we're rambling here. Which is not unusual in this column. Wandering through the grounds of Hampden Park the other day – nurse, I've gone from rambling to aimlessly wandering - I gave a passing nod to the old motto of Queen's Park fitba club, Ludere Causa Ludendi. 'Is that not the combative Italian midfielder Rangers have had their eye on?,' chirped the sports editor. Those of you who are well-versed in Latin will know that it means, 'to play for the sake of playing'. This maxim reflected the club's long-standing commitment to amateurism and the Corinthian ideal. Of course, the Spiders are a professional outfit now so that's gone out of the window. Rather like their finances. In the upper echelons of the amateur scene in golf, meanwhile, I was reminded of the changing face of the unpaid game recently when doing some work at the Women's Amateur Championship in Nairn. In an international field, which started with a line-up of 144 players and was whittled down to two finalists over the course of six days, the oldest player was Scotland's Jennifer Saxton. She was, wait for it, a venerable 28. If Saxton was considered the veteran in the draw, then it made this increasingly decrepit correspondent feel as ancient as the standing stones of Callanish. In an event packed, by and large, with full-time players who will, no doubt, have ambitions of turning professional, Saxton stood as a monument to the increasingly rare breed that is the career amateur. 'We all joke about it, but I sit at my desk every day at work then try to come out and compete with these young guns,' said Saxton, who can certainly still cut it at the top-level and proved it with victory in the prestigious St Rule Trophy a couple of seasons ago. To play for the sake of playing and all that. Back in 1981, the celebrated, decorated Belle Robertson won the Women's Amateur Championship title at the age of 45. A feat like that at such a vintage is unlikely to ever be repeated. Those, of course, were different golfing times. These days, the career amateur is something that's almost as charmingly antiquated as a thatched roof, as players hurtle off into the professional game on a rapidly birling conveyor belt. Saxton, a marketing manager with golf technology firm, Shot Scope, is well aware that she's in the minority. 'I wish more people would do the same,' she said of juggling the nine-to-five with the competitive cut-and-thrust. 'It would be good for the game if people were working in golf and trying to compete as well. 'My golf started getting better when I worked. Golf is a breakaway from that. I learned how to score without putting in the hours of practice.' The proof remains in the pudding. Yesterday, Saxton was named in the Scotland side again as she retained her place for the forthcoming European Women's Amateur Team Championship. She will be joined in that squad by Hannah Darling, the highly talented 21-year-old who is poised for her amateur swansong before making the pro plunge later in the season. Darling, who helped GB&I win the Vagliano Trophy for the first time in 20 years at the weekend, has stockpiled a vast haul of national and international silverware since bursting onto the scene and landing the Scottish Girls' Amateur Championship at the age of just 13. Amateur accomplishments and accolades, of course, do not guarantee professional prosperity. But nothing does in this predictably unpredictable pursuit of complex demands. Paul Lawrie, for instance, had very little amateur pedigree but, through drive, discipline, talent and that special undefined something that you can't bottle, became a major champion, multiple tour winner and Ryder Cup player. Others, eagerly championed and tipped for great things after glory-laden stints in the amateur ranks, disappeared off the face of the earth. There's no one-size-fits-all model for success and someone like Lawrie, as well as Scots like Catriona Mathew, Janice Moodie, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, Sandy Lyle, Russell Knox, Martin Laird, Gemma Dryburgh or Robert MacIntyre, were and have been successful for very different reasons. Darling has ticked plenty of boxes along the way. Let's hope she ticks a few more when her inevitable move into the paid game arrives. Let's hope, too, that Saxton continues to thrive as a career amateur. And as for this correspondent? Well, let's hope that scientific research is right and I winkle out a few extra years on this earth, even if it merely prolongs the golfing incompetence. Ludere Causa Ludendi, indeed.
The Herald Scotland
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
To play for the sake of playing in changing amateur scene
This fascinating, flummoxing game, of course, remains a constant work in progress so perhaps a few more seasons spent clattering and thrashing away will finally lead to some sort of modest improvement? I very much doubt it. Despite being mired in this seemingly perpetual state of ineptitude, rarely does a week go by without me actually learning something new about my own golf. That means I was ignorant of about four things over the past month. Extend that process back over, say, 30 years, and that's a mightily impressive accumulation of complete and utter ignorance. They do say, of course, that ignorance is bliss. Well, that's what my playing partners sympathetically inform me after they've watched one of my tee-shots and chorus, 'where the hell did that go?' Anyway, we're rambling here. Which is not unusual in this column. Wandering through the grounds of Hampden Park the other day – nurse, I've gone from rambling to aimlessly wandering - I gave a passing nod to the old motto of Queen's Park fitba club, Ludere Causa Ludendi. 'Is that not the combative Italian midfielder Rangers have had their eye on?,' chirped the sports editor. Those of you who are well-versed in Latin will know that it means, 'to play for the sake of playing'. This maxim reflected the club's long-standing commitment to amateurism and the Corinthian ideal. Of course, the Spiders are a professional outfit now so that's gone out of the window. Rather like their finances. In the upper echelons of the amateur scene in golf, meanwhile, I was reminded of the changing face of the unpaid game recently when doing some work at the Women's Amateur Championship in Nairn. In an international field, which started with a line-up of 144 players and was whittled down to two finalists over the course of six days, the oldest player was Scotland's Jennifer Saxton. She was, wait for it, a venerable 28. If Saxton was considered the veteran in the draw, then it made this increasingly decrepit correspondent feel as ancient as the standing stones of Callanish. In an event packed, by and large, with full-time players who will, no doubt, have ambitions of turning professional, Saxton stood as a monument to the increasingly rare breed that is the career amateur. 'We all joke about it, but I sit at my desk every day at work then try to come out and compete with these young guns,' said Saxton, who can certainly still cut it at the top-level and proved it with victory in the prestigious St Rule Trophy a couple of seasons ago. To play for the sake of playing and all that. Back in 1981, the celebrated, decorated Belle Robertson won the Women's Amateur Championship title at the age of 45. A feat like that at such a vintage is unlikely to ever be repeated. Those, of course, were different golfing times. These days, the career amateur is something that's almost as charmingly antiquated as a thatched roof, as players hurtle off into the professional game on a rapidly birling conveyor belt. Saxton, a marketing manager with golf technology firm, Shot Scope, is well aware that she's in the minority. 'I wish more people would do the same,' she said of juggling the nine-to-five with the competitive cut-and-thrust. 'It would be good for the game if people were working in golf and trying to compete as well. 'My golf started getting better when I worked. Golf is a breakaway from that. I learned how to score without putting in the hours of practice.' The proof remains in the pudding. Yesterday, Saxton was named in the Scotland side again as she retained her place for the forthcoming European Women's Amateur Team Championship. She will be joined in that squad by Hannah Darling, the highly talented 21-year-old who is poised for her amateur swansong before making the pro plunge later in the season. Darling, who helped GB&I win the Vagliano Trophy for the first time in 20 years at the weekend, has stockpiled a vast haul of national and international silverware since bursting onto the scene and landing the Scottish Girls' Amateur Championship at the age of just 13. Amateur accomplishments and accolades, of course, do not guarantee professional prosperity. But nothing does in this predictably unpredictable pursuit of complex demands. Paul Lawrie, for instance, had very little amateur pedigree but, through drive, discipline, talent and that special undefined something that you can't bottle, became a major champion, multiple tour winner and Ryder Cup player. Others, eagerly championed and tipped for great things after glory-laden stints in the amateur ranks, disappeared off the face of the earth. There's no one-size-fits-all model for success and someone like Lawrie, as well as Scots like Catriona Mathew, Janice Moodie, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, Sandy Lyle, Russell Knox, Martin Laird, Gemma Dryburgh or Robert MacIntyre, were and have been successful for very different reasons. Darling has ticked plenty of boxes along the way. Let's hope she ticks a few more when her inevitable move into the paid game arrives. Let's hope, too, that Saxton continues to thrive as a career amateur. And as for this correspondent? Well, let's hope that scientific research is right and I winkle out a few extra years on this earth, even if it merely prolongs the golfing incompetence. Ludere Causa Ludendi, indeed.
