This is one of my favourite tournaments of the year. The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Played across three of the finest links courses in the world. Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and the Home of Golf, St Andrews Old Course. One of the things that really draws me into a celebrity pro-am is seeing famous amateur golfers go up against some of the best players in the world. I can’t think of any other sporting event like it.
A pro-am also feels far more accessible. There is a more casual feeling in the air. I remember one year at the AT&T Pro-Am, walking into the Tap Room on Wednesday and having dinner next to Jon Rahm and DJ. This is also quite a common occurrence at St Andrews because the town is so small.
Back to the event at hand. I first attended the Dunhill 20 years ago, and a few years later I caddied at The Old Course for a season with a bunch of my best pals. There’s always a special atmosphere in St Andrews, but when there’s a professional tournament it’s different. The Open is busy and hectic (and amazing), but during Dunhill week it feels more spacious, yet still buzzing with energy. Students of St Andrews University have just started their semester when the players, celebrities and fans start rolling into town. It’s a week not to miss.
Of course, being Scotland in October, the weather plays a big part of the week. It’s always cold, but the wind and rain can turn it into a very challenging test of golf. Having just looked, it seems relatively benign this week, with not much rain or wind. We’ll see what the golfing gods decide.
The Dunhill has stood the test of time, and is surely one of the DP World Tour’s most successful stops. A strong commercial partnership with Johann Rupert, Founder of Richemont and owner of Dunhill. The tournament also features two distinct competitions. A 72-hole stroke play professional tournament and a team event. The purse of $5M is also one of the largest of the season.
It’s a star studded field of celebs, industry titans and investors. This is the networking melting pot of the year. I wonder how many deals are done over a wee dram in the Jigger. The fact that Rory is playing with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan on the Friday, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan on Saturday, says it all.
Some of the celebs include: Michael Douglas, Kathryn Newton, Bill Murray, Piers Morgan, Gareth Bale, Kelly Slater, Will Ahmed and Michael Bloomberg. Some of the high profile professional golfers include: Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Billy Horschel and Matt Jones.
Everyone stays in 5 star accommodation such as the impressive Rusacks St Andrews (a Marine Lawn venue), The Old Course Hotel and Fairmont. Every touch point for the professionals and amateurs is seamless. Add in the quality of golf courses and sensational food. Piers Morgan just wrote “this is the best week of the year”. He might be paid to say that, but I don’t think so (though it always helps to jump on Peter Jones’ private jet).
The AT&T Pro-Am held at Pebble Beach and Spyglass is the US version, which is also a great event to attend for similar reasons. Everyone congregates at The Lodge after a day walking the course. I remember one year, Wayne Gretzky was playing with DJ, and more people were following him rather than the professionals. He is ‘The Great One’ and it shows how these other athletes and celebs are huge draw cards for the fans.
I can’t wait to see how this week unfolds.
Here’s a few photos from when I attended back in 2007.
What do you think of celebrity pro-ams?
Have you made it to the Dunhill?
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