imagine getting to play the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, all in three days.
Now imagine playing them with a European Tour player as your partner.
That’s what the lucky amateurs experience at the Dunhill Links Championship, this week’s stop on the European Tour. It’s the European version of the AT&T Pro-Am except there are two major bucket list courses in his lineup — The Old Course and Carnoustie. Kingsbarns has dramatic views and vistas but it is an artificial version of a links course — an Americanized version if you will.
The COVID pandemic wiped out the 2020 event so 2019 winner Victor Perez of France returns as the defending champion.
European Ryder Cup team members Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are in the field along with European captain Paddy Harrington and vice captains Danny Willett and Martin Kaymer.
PGA Tour star Billy Horschel, who ranks second in the European Tour’s Race To Dubai points list, is also in this week’s field.
The cut for professionals will come after 54-holes rather than the traditional 36. The low 20 amateurs and their partners make it to Sunday’s final round on The Old Course.
Click here for some cool videos that show the great links courses:
6 Comments
baxter cepeda
The worlds best pro am in the pure insurance championship. If the Dunhill included 81 of the best kids the it could be the best pro am. But it doesn’t.
Tom Edrington
Baxter: Yes, I understand, I was basing it on my love for golf in Scotland……The Old Course and Carnoustie should be on EVERYONE’s bucket list…..from a standpoint of best in the world for juniors, Yes, the Pure is a winner.
baxter cepeda
The atnt deserves recognition. I can only imagine how much I would enjoy the home of golf in person but pebbles pro am would always be in the race.
Tom Edrington
Baxter: It’s just something about Scotland, I fell in love with the country and the people on my first trip in 2017 and 2019 was like a reunion with that “special love” in your life…..the courses themselves are mystical when you realize that Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris played there along with every great in the history of the game…..the Pebble stuff cannot equal that….will always remember my first trip to the ancient cemetery on the outskirts of St. Andrews where so many of the towns famous residents rest including Old Tom and Young Tom…..I made it a point to visit Young Tom before I played the Old Course…..it’s a feeling I cannot describe — hallowed if you will, mysterious, you can feel the ghosts as you walk through the headstones….
baxter cepeda
No arguments there.
It’s tough to beat Scotland and St Andrews in those categories. It’s cool you felt so spiritually engaged; it’s extremely motivating to get out there ASAP.
Still we should note Jack Nicklaus has a lot Of things he is known for, from a flying right elbow to 18 majors to his statement that pebble would be his choice for his one final round of golf.
I was surprised to hear the golden bear say that —would expect St Andrew’s or Augusta— but he chose Pebble.
At pebble literally you can stink as a photographer and never take a bad picture.
Side note The amateur celebrities and businessmen are bigger at Pebbles two pro ams.
But as you say Tom the spiritual history of St. Andrews gives the home of golf an insurmountable spiritual head start; making it Nearly impossible for even Augusta National and Pebble Beach golf Links to compete with.
Tom Edrington
It’s also the very, very long history….when you walk through the St. Andrews cemetery you get goose bumps then you finally arrive at Young Tom’s resting place, next to Old Tom….