BERWICK, SCOTLAND - JULY 07: Rory McIlroy (L) is pictured playing with Celtic owner Dermot Desmond during the abrdn Scottish Open practice day at the Renaissance Club on July 07, 2021, in Berwick, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic fans will be able to watch Dermot Desmond enjoying the second greatest passion of his life free of charge next month.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the competition golf fans will be able to get free entry to St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Links on October 1,2, 3.
Fans only have to pay in for Sunday October 4 at St Andrews.
As luck would have it Celtic have no fixtures over that period allowing fans to take the fresh air to see the club’s biggest shareholder in action.
For a bonus Ross Desmond and brother Brett are likely to be involved as celebrities and businessmen get to play three famous courses alongside some of the world’s top golfers.
The Alfred Dunhill Cup website announced:
From Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4 2026, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
A unique tournament on the DP World Tour, the Championship is played over three of the greatest courses in the world – the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links.
The tournament is not just an event for the world’s leading professionals, but also a Team Championship, in which some of the best-known celebrity amateur golfers pair up with the professionals.
There is free entry for spectators on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at all three venues. Tickets are not needed for these days.
Tickets for the final day on Sunday, October 4 on the Old Course need to be purchased in advance. There will be no tickets available at the gate.
Those four days in Fife are among the most important in Desmond’s diary.
For over 20 years Desmond has had an ego boost by being among some big name golfers.
He has also been known to give the occasional interview to a selected outlet where Celtic gets a mention.
GOLF- THE DRIVING PASSION OF DERMOT DESMOND
Those interview tend to follow one of two routes.
Desmond’s delight at Celtic being in the big time of the Champions League. Or, like this year his disappointment at being knocked out by Malmo/Maribor/AEK Athens/Cluj/AEK Athens/Malmo/Maribor but sure that the club can go on a good run in the Europa League.
On that subject there are still thousands of tickets available for Thursday’s match against Ferencvaros.
While the Celtic board barely attempt to qualify for the Champions League they are looking for £40 a head for Thursday’s match against the Hungarians.
Celtic will be rolling out their traditional ‘Road to Seville’ marketing campaign to shift tickets for Thursday’s match.
With Benfica away on Matchday 2 a good start on Thursday is essential if Celtic are to avoid similar levels of embarrassment to last season in the Europa League.
This year Video Celts will be following the Dunhill Cup closely, posting tee-off times, locations and scores for all of the members of the Desmond family taking part.
In 2024 the Celtic Non Executive Director won the Team Championship playing alongside Thorbjorn Olesen.
Good Luck Dessie- bring the trophy along to Celtic Park on your next visit.
Can’t wait Joe, my flight is booked hotel sorted and really looking forward to giving tax dodger Desmond a kick in the b******s on the 18th.
Editor: Be respectful at all times.
Perfect chance for Celtic supporters to let him know how pish poor his custodianship has been of late !