Kingsbarns Golf Links is set to welcome some of the world’s leading golfers when it stages the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for the 11th consecutive time from 29 September until 2 October.
The European Tour event boasts a £3.1 million prize fund and the likes of US Open champion Rory McIlroy, Open champion Darren Clarke, world number two Lee Westwood and defending champion Martin Kaymer are expected to line up on the magnificent links in the East Neuk of Fife.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is the highlight of the Kingsbarns golfing season with a glittering array of celebrities from the worlds of movies, music and sport joining the professionals in the pro-am team event. The likes of movie star Samuel L Jackson, former Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres and football legend Johan Cruyff are among the regular stellar celebrity contingent.
Since Kingsbarns began staging the championship after it opened in 2000 it has consistently received praise from the professionals and the amateurs alike for its excellent conditioning and the wonderful test of golf it provides as a modern links course.
British actor Hugh Grant said when interviewed at Kingsbarns: “For the middle-aged golf addict like myself, this is like dying and going to golfing heaven.”
The Hollywood film star Andy Garcia said: “The Kingsbarns Course reminds me a lot of some of the golf courses on the California coastline. There’s one on the Monterrey Peninsula, and Pebble Beach too. I love playing links courses and Kingsbarns is a beautiful design. It looks much more than just 10 years old.”
The course is in immaculate condition after a busy season and Course Manager Innes Knight and his team will be doing final course conditioning work in the run-up to the event.
Kingsbarns new Chief Executive Alan Hogg said: “I am very much looking forward to my first Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns. Hosting a prestigious European Tour event of this calibre is a real feather in Kingsbarns’ cap and we will be working hard to ensure it is every bit as memorable as the previous events here. I hope many people take the opportunity to come along on the championship days to see the stars in action and enjoy the wonderful setting of the links.”
The Kingsbarns clubhouse has been extended for the championship with a temporary marquee which will be available throughout September for large corporate events. With seating for up to 100 guests the marquee offers a stunning 180 degree view of the Fife coastline.
Kingsbarns www.kingsbarns.com
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship www.alfreddunhilllinks.com