The Jedi, The Mack, your crazy ex girlfriend… there are certain things in life that are destined to return to prominence. One of the most exciting “returns” in 2021 was the Dunhill Links Championship. After a year away, the Dunhill has officially returned and I was officially returning to the Dunhill.
After playing golf with Bill Murray on my last trip to the Dunhill, expectations were absurdly high. Sadly, my friend Bill would not be returning this year, but he made sure to send several new replacement friends. Bill wasn’t just talking about some lame backup friends, he was talking about man’s best friend.
“I would have hit 7 iron there.”
“That Fleetwood has majestic flow.”
“I think I left my stick back on the 3rd hole.”
Unlike most PGA Tour events, spectators are encouraged to bring their dogs to the tournament and the result is a diverse and enjoyable crowd of Dunhill patrons. One look and you can tell that these guys are mad crazy about their golf. Each little bit of Dunhill action was eaten up by these four legged golf fans.
“He probably should have putted that.”
“I don’t understand those sand pit things.”
“Treats! Please send more treats.”
In addition to my furry friends, there were actually some human friends to catch up with. As you can see below, nobody was more excited about the Dunhill than Alex O Laughlin. In stark contrast, Rachel McQueen was nearly indifferent to my presence. Which was surprising as I had not seen Rachel since our Scotland Vloggers Challenge back in 2019. To be fair, she perked right up after I handed her an Irn-Bru. For the uninitiated, Irn-Bru is the unofficial non-alcoholic drink of Scotland. I consume them in heavy volume when visiting.
Rachel McQueen is a self proclaimed McQueen of Scots.
In addition to my young and vibrant friends, I had 3 much “older” friends to visit as well… The Old Course, Kingsbarns, & Carnoustie. Every year, the Dunhill plays out over these 3 venues. A cut is made after 3 days and the final round is played exclusively on the Old Course. With celebrities and amateurs involved, it is one of the most fun and unique events in the game of golf.
Upon my arrival in Scotland, I immediately headed to the Old Course for some early scouting reports. As you can see from the photos below, the Old Course was immediately approved for play.
It was time to get the golf balls in the air for the 20th playing of the Dunhill Links. I headed out my back door and caught up with the action on the Old Course. The history at the Old Course has a way of soaking up from the Scottish soil and into your golf soul. Even on a random Wednesday that feeling exists and with the Dunhill in town, the vibe is amplified. Since I was staying at Rusacks right off of the 18th fairway, I soaked up the vibe real good.
Former Ukranian boxer, Wladimir Klitschko, no longer pounds faces, he pounds 6 irons into 17.
There is certainly something special about just walking the grounds at St Andrews. Each step somehow feels important and the Dunhill does an excellent job of capturing that feeling for everyone involved. After tournament hours, It spills out from the fairways and flows down the streets of St Andrews.
“I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St Andrews and I would still have a rich, full life.”
The crew of Andy Garcia and Huey Lewis had a particularly good vibe.
Huey pounds the D.
After a day on the Old Course, it was time to check the scene at Kingsbarns. The King of the Barn on that day was Ahmad Rashad. The ex NFL star made a hole in one on the spectacular 15th hole. He immediately knew what he had to do… send a text to Tiger Woods. Unlike you and I, Ahmad actually has Tiger Woods on speed dial. Tigers response: “Well, it looks like you are buying.”
Please enjoy this quick combination of the ace maker and the ace location taken at separate times. I have cleverly put them next to each other in order to simulate a hole in one sensation.
I also ran into 14 year old Scottish standout, Grace Crawford, while I was out at Kingsbarns. Not only did Grace differentiate herself from the crowd with her golf game, but her exuberance for the event was like none other. I look forward to great things from Grace in the game of golf.
Before I left Kingsbarns, I caught up with several of the Dunhill’s big names. They were just coming off of 18 and I wanted to give them an opportunity at a quick emergency 9. Brace yourself for some fast and quick golf goodness.
The smooth and rolling contours of Kingsbarns provide a fan favorite golfing experience in the St Andrews area.
Before we go any further, my hotel room at Rusacks is worth mentioning. Conveniently located about 87 yards away from the 18th green on The Old Course, Rusacks is the place to stay when visiting St Andrews. Fortunately, Piers Morgan and I had the two balcony rooms with perhaps the best views in Scotland. It also provided a splendid vantage point for the Saturday evening fireworks.
The view from my balcony window.
Rusacks on the right from #18 tee box
Rusacks from #1 tee box.
The links at @dumbarniegolf are the real deal. Splendid fun through glorious Scottish links land. @Troon pic.twitter.com/JMQUwUbCKc
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) October 6, 2021
If you are anything like me, you can only watch so much golf before you have to run out the front door and get some of that sweet sweet golf for yourself. Fortunately, the fine folks over at the newly unveiled Dumbarnie Links were there to help me scratch that itch.
Located just 20-30 minutes outside of St Andrews, Dumbarnie is a wonderful addition to one of the world’s finest golf destinations. It’s new, but Dumbarnie Links feels as if it has existed in the Scottish sand dunes for 100’s of years.
As usual, the weather at Dumbarnie was a mixture of partly cloudy, sideways rain, perfect sunshine, 30-40 mph winds, overcast, light rain, and clear skies with temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
After 3 days of competition, 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett was in prime position to capture his 8th professional victory. Willet wasn’t just carrying a 3 shot lead into the weekend, he was carrying a 3 shot lead into his birthday weekend. The Masters champion was turning 34 years old and he wasn’t looking for cake, he was hunting down some silver.
Everyone likes a little birthday golf, but few things are sweeter than a birthday W on the Old Course.
Tyrell Hatton gives chase on Sunday on the Old Course.
Willett stares down the scoreboard to ensure his lead is satisfactory.
Like a seasoned professional, Willett never relented and hit a series of clutch shots that left very little to chance. With a two shot lead heading into 17, the road hole was the only real obstacle left in Willett’s way. Willett met the challenge with a back foot 6 iron that carried the road hole bunker and cozied up to 10 feet. Willett narrowly missed his putt on 17 and tapped in for par, bringing a 2 shot lead into the 18th.
The only real drama left on the table was the team event. Either Willett or his partner Jimmy Dunne, needed to make a birdie on 18 in order to secure a share of the team title and deliver a full sweep of the hardware. After a miss by Dunne, Willett faced a 15 footer for total and complete birthday greatness.
Willett may have missed the putt for team glory, but he tapped in for his par and a 2 shot victory. Jimmy was all smiles as he hugged his partner on the 18th green.
I had the chance to follow Willett down the fairways of the back nine and I learned a couple of things. Most notably was his demeanor. and the amount of intent he had in closing out the golf tournament.
Insider Analysis Report: Willett consumed several bananas on the back nine dramatically bolstering his potassium levels as he marched toward victory. This regulated his heartbeat while ensuring proper function of the muscles and nerves. Outwardly this manifested itself as a smooth and well delivered performance. Willett was determined and purposeful with his play and the tournament victory was never in doubt.
As Willett rode off into the sunset on his golf cart, my journey back to California had just begun. A media round on the Old Course awaited me and I would encounter an unwelcoming crew at British Airways that would afford me another day in Scotland. I would take full advantage of the gaffe with a round at Kilspindie Golf Club.
It was sideways rain at Kilspindie and I didn’t mind one bit as I savored my final moments in Scotland. I would highly recommend adding this little number to your itinerary with a visit to nearby Muirfield or North Berwick.
Please enjoy the posts below as I sign off from my 2021 visit to the Dunhill with a throwback to my 2019 round on the Old Course. Who knows what sort of goodness awaits at the 2022 version. For more Dunhill Links content be sure to check the site and follow the gram.