A Week to Remember: Dunhill Links Championship 2023

Last year's Dunhill Links Championship was undoubtedly memorable, but the 2023 edition managed to surpass all expectations. The eight-day extravaganza offered a unique blend of world-class golf, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. From dinners to rain delays, here's a recap of the weirdest tournament of the year

Sunday: A Chilly Start

The tournament week kicked off with a delightful Sunday night dinner. However, it wouldn't be a Dunhill Links experience without Sebas complaining about the chilly and dark St Andrews weather, little did he know that this would be the best weather of the week.

Monday: Credentials and Excitement

For some, Monday was a busy day, and a visit to Carnoustie had to be sacrificed. But the moment the tournament credentials were in hand, the excitement levels soared and the preparations began

Tuesday: Golf and Stories

Tuesday provided the opportunity to follow Sebas and Elvira around the historic St Andrews Old Course. Lunch was a special treat, with Pello, Elvira's caddie, sharing fascinating tales of his experiences at the Marco Simeone Ryder Cup. A lot of studying had to be done after these cool stories.

Wednesday: Rainy Day Plans

Rain made an appearance on Wednesday, and I had to play my own Wednesday medal, making it impossible to follow the Kingsbarns practice round. However, a lovely dinner made up for the weather woes.

Thursday: Work and Golf

Thursday was a workday at the player's lounge while Sebas tackled Carnoustie(Check out the food they had down below).

Friday: Kingsbarns Delight

Friday saw a return to Kingsbarns, where the entire round was followed with excitement and some nerves. The highlights of the day were meeting Santi Tarrio and of course, the beef sliders at the halfway house, adding to the memorable experiences of the week.

Saturday: Unconventional Fun

Saturday turned out to be a remarkably fun day, with a four-hour stint at the clubhouse playing cards with Adri Arnaus, Renato Paratore, Santi Tarrio, and Sebas Garcia while awaiting decisions from the referees. When the tournament was eventually canceled for the day, it was a moment to relax, enjoy lunch, and savor a couple of pints. It was a reminder that professional golfers are, at the end of the day, just like the rest of us.

Sunday: Unforeseen Cancellations

Sunday's round was canceled even more swiftly, providing an opportunity to catch up on work before Sebas made the decision to catch his early Monday flight to Spain.

Monday: The Surprise

Monday started once again at the clubhouse with surprising news: the tournament was back on. While the pros warmed up, commitments to class and work meetings took precedence. Following Adri Arnaus's impressive -5, Renato Paratore's incredible -7, and Santi Tarrio's -8, which secured a spot inside the top 65 despite a sore back, it was time to celebrate. All the Lamb and burrata were devoured and farewells were exchanged, and it was back to work for Wednesday's exam.

The 2023 Dunhill Links Championship was more than just a golf tournament; it was a week of fun, unexpected moments, a glimpse into the lives of professional golfers, and food, lots of food. I can’t wait for next year and best of luck to all the Spanish players playing next week at my home club!

Special thanks to Sebas and company for making me feel so welcome everywhere I went!