The links effect: Dunhill returns to the golfing green
Golf pros and amateurs alike teamed up for a unique championship played at the home of the game
Since it started in 2001, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has garnered a reputation for being one of the most glamorous golfing competitions in the world. Its format is interesting as it incorporates two different competitions: there's an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers with a $5m (£4m) prize fund and a team competition that features some of the most celebrated amateur golfers playing alongside professionals.
Over the years, many of the game's greatest players, such as Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Sir Nick Faldo, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Colin Montgomerie, Louis Oosthuizen and Vijay Singh, have played in the championship, while amateurs have included movie stars such as Michael Douglas, Samuel L Jackson, Morgan Freeman and Hugh Grant and sporting greats including Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Ian Botham, Boris Becker, Ruud Gullit, Shane Warne, Gary Lineker and Michael Phelps.
Last weekend was no exception - and Dunhill used it as an opportunity to showcase its new Dunhill Links collection for A/W 2016/17, which was sported by Irish actor Jamie Dornan, British actor Matthew Goode and former England footballer Jamie Redknapp.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Although the first championship was staged in 2001, Alfred Dunhill's connection with St Andrews – through the Alfred Dunhill Cup, a tournament for three-man teams – goes back to 1985, meaning the luxury goods house has had an unbroken span of more than 30 years supporting golf at St Andrews. The event has become a magnet for golfers from every corner of the globe; a celebration of links golf, it is played over three famous courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie near Dundee and Kingsbarns Golf Links, six miles south of St Andrews.
The St Andrews Links courses are known as the home of golf and the Old Course is the oldest in the world – the sport is said to have been first played here as long ago as the early 15th century – and features the famous Swilcan Bridge and Hell Bunker. The windswept coastal location, big dramatic skies and undulating scenery make for a memorable setting, while the arrival of a truckload of famous faces – who typically end up in the Jigger Inn on the edge of the 18th hole – adds a large dose of glamour.
The professional tournament was won this year by 24-year-old Englishman Tyrell Hatton, who finished 23 under par, while Danny Willett and Jonathan Smart took the pro-am honours, finishing 12 under par.
The new Dunhill Links collection is available at dunhill.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A new era of hurricanes'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
How Britain's demographic is changing
A 50-year record population increase was fuelled by greater migration
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The story of Japanese jeweller Tasaki
The Blend A revival in the use of pearls in fashion and jewellery design places heritage brand Tasaki centre stage
By Felix Bischof Published