The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Klitschko among names to pack a punch in Dunhill
Annual tournament brings stars of sport, music and screen to Courier Country
The gloves will be off when former world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko arrives in Courier Country next month to take part in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Klitschko, 41, recently announced his shock retirement from boxing after a 21-year career in the ring during which he won 64 of his 69 fights.
He will join an impressive line-up of celebrities from the world of sport, music and entertainment who will play golf over the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns from October 5 to 8.
With a prize fund of $5 million, it incorporates two separate competitions – an individual tournament for the leading professionals and a team championship in which professionals are paired with amateur golfers.
Three sporting knights – Sir Ian Botham, Sir AP McCoy and Sir Steve Redgrave – head up the sports stars, a list which includes rugby’s Fourie du Preez, Rob Louw, Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll, footballers Luis Figo and Jamie Redknapp, and cricketers Shane Warne, Kevin Pietersen, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and Mark Nicholas.
From the world of music, Mike Rutherford from Genesis, Dave Farrell of Linkin Park, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres and rocker Huey Lewis will be joining Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, Brian McFadden, formerly of Westlife, and Tom Chaplin from Keane, who have already confirmed they will be playing.
Dave Farrell, who is playing for the second time, said: “Playing golf with spectators was a new experience, and the energy that comes from it is something I’m looking forward to this year.
“I’m a golf fan, so I enjoy any chance I get to see those guys Rory (Mcilroy), (Martin) Kaymer, (Danny) Willett and (Graeme) McDowell hit shots.”
Other amateurs include film actors Jamie Dornan, Matthew Goode, Greg Kinnear and Kelly Rohrbach plus Peter Jones from Dragon’s Den.
This year the professional field has a classic line-up of Major Championship winners: Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Danny Willett.
Also playing are Luke Donald, Ross Fisher, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Branden Grace, Chris Wood and Lee Westwood.
Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton returns to St Andrews attempting to become the first to win back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Links titles.
Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn and vice-captain Robert Karlsson, who won the tournament in 2008, are also playing.