JUST OVER one week remains of a world-wide internet auction offering an amateur golfer a lifetime opportunity to join many of the game’s leading professional players and various celebrities.

The top bid has reached £5550 for the forthcoming $5 million Dunhill Links Championship.

The tournament is to be played from September 25-28 over the Old Course at St Andrews, the Kingsbarns links and the championship course at Carnoustie.

Organisers launched the on-line auction earlier this month and all the proceeds are being donated to the St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation.

The charity’s aim is to raise the necessary finances to preserve and restore the historic core of the university town, including its medieval harbour, Madras College, the university and St Andrews Cathedral. Honorary president of the charity is former Royal and Ancient Golf Club secretary and past captain Sir Michael Bonallack.

A similar auction held last year on its behalf made £6601.

The auction is being staged in conjunction with online auctioneers QXL.

The successful bidder will play in a team of two—one professional and himself or herself—to contest the first three rounds, with one round being played at each of the three links courses in rotation.

Anyone wishing to make a bid should log on to www.qxl.com/dunhilllinks or visit the Dunhill Links Championship site.