Amateur golfers have the chance of a lifetime to play alongside celebrities and leading professionals in October’s prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The catch is that the lucky player will have to stump up a fair sum of cash for the privilege in an online auction.
The last amateur playing place at the event, which is held over the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns from October 6 to 9, has been made available by the charitable Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation, which raises funds to assist young amateur golfers in Scotland and South Africa and to support the town and University of St Andrews.
The opportunity also includes the unique chance to play a practice round with Australian cricket legend Shane Warne on the eve of the event.
The auction on ebay is already under way and is due to close at 6pm on Tuesday September 20, with proceeds going to the St Andrews-based Pilgrim Foundation, a charity commited to the restoration of historic monuments and buildings at the Home of Golf.
Warne, who has played many times in the event, said: “To play in the Alfred Dunhill Links is a golfer’s dream and the courses we play are three of the most wonderful in the world.
“The Old Course is just the most historic and uplifting place to play golf.
“Links golf for me is a magical experience and to be able to share the fairways with so many great golfers and famous celebrities in this Championship is unique.
“I can promise that he or she will have the golfing experience of a lifetime during the Championship, and also, by contributing to the auction, will be raising money for an important charity as well.”
The winning bidder will be treated to five nights accommodation for two at an official tournament hotel, airport transfers from Edinburgh and invitations to the Championship’s exclusive social events.
Already confirmed for this year’s event are Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie, Angel Cabrera, Y.E.Yang, Andrew Johnston and Thomas Pieters.
Among the amateurs who have played regularly are entertainment stars Jamie Dornan, Hugh Grant, Andy Garcia, Ronan Keating and Huey Lewis who have shared the fairways with sporting greats like Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Ian Botham, Michael Phelps, Luis Figo, Ruud Gullit and Jamie Redknapp.
Bids can be made by visiting www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfred-Dunhill-Links-Championship-2016.
