European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady presented Johann Rupert with a personally inscribed silver dish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship’s gala dinner in recognition of Alfred Dunhill’s 30-year association with St Andrews - the Home of Golf
The sparkling evening function, which brought together a dazzling array of stars from the worlds of sport and entertainment, included a series of special presentations themed around Dunhill’s incredible support of golf over the last three decades.
Mr Rupert, who is the Chairman of Alfred Dunhill’s parent company Richemont as well as Chairman of the Sunshine Tour and an Honorary Vice President of The European Tour, presented four former winners of the Alfred Dunhill Cup – Howard Clark, Ernie Els, Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie – with commemorative sweaters to mark the special anniversary.
O’Grady then presented Mr Rupert with his gift and thanked the South African for his “vision, leadership and friendship” over 30 years – making Alfred Dunhill the longest consecutive sponsor on The European Tour.
The Alfred Dunhill Cup was a national team competition which was played over the Old Course at St Andrews from 1985-2000, before the tournament became the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2001.
With a prize fund of US$5 million, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and a team event in which the professionals are paired with some of the most celebrated amateur golfers which creates a unique atmosphere.
