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.
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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
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