Ernie Els' victory, however, was a very popular one in Scotland - and the play-off drama, which led to it, made for great television and high excitement on the course. It was also good for golf, since tournaments and matches are always more interesting if the result is unpredictable. Tiger's dominance needs to be challenged. And, in the last three years, the Open Champions have been Woods, Duval and Els - three of the best when compared with golfers of any era - and proof, if it were needed, that the cream really does rise to the top on the finest links courses.

Next year the event moves to Royal St George's, of which more later, returning to Scotland in 2004 (Royal Troon) and 2005 (St Andrews). Still to be confirmed is a possible return to Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) in 2006. If you want to build a trip around any of these events, start planning now as accommodations get booked up a long way in advance.

2002 marked the debut of Greg Norman-designed Doonbeg onto the golfing stage. Comments ranged from 'tricky' to 'sensational', with the majority view acknowledging a fine new course, which will get better with time. Its location means that Lahinch is no longer in isolation as a top links in County Clare, and that will encourage more golfers arriving at Shannon to head north rather than south.

Another fine new links course opened in Scotland - Southern Gailes - and the personable Janice Borys moved over from Western Gailes to take up the Administration Secretary's role. Kyle Phillips designed the course, and those of you who have played Kingsbarns will be keen to see if he has reproduced the same magic. And if the views do not benefit from the same proximity to the sea, the sensation of true links golf is unmistakable. The project includes plans for a new, 5 star, 120 bedroom hotel scheduled for completion in 2004.

Perhaps the most exciting new course in development at the moment is at Rosapenna, where the estimable Pat Ruddy is at work on a new course in the high dunes behind Tom Morris' original layout. Owners Frank and Hilary Casey have greatly improved the hotel and the new work will eventually lead to a resort complex with 45 holes, of which Ruddy's new 18 will be the star attraction. Tiger visited Ruddy's European Club at Brittas Bay in County Wicklow before this year's Open and set a new course record. Who knows - he may do the same at Rosapenna next year! Whatever, there will soon be two superb venues in the far north west, the other being Ballyliffin. At the moment this area is still largely undiscovered, so plan a visit soon before things change.

What goes around comes around. When we started in business we sent clients to Scotland and Ireland because the golf was fantastic, the hotels were welcoming and they both provided tremendous value for money. England was relatively expensive in comparison. Today, the wheel has turned and terrific value can be found in England and Wales. With flights into Manchester or Birmingham, it's easy to visit Wales with Royal St David's, Aberdovey and Royal Porthcawl forming a trio, which would match any three from Scotland or Ireland in terms of charm, tradition and quality. Similarly, many of our readers will share our love of the Southport area, where the dunes from Formby to Southport incorporate such gems as Royal Birkdale, Hillside, West Lancashire and Southport and Ainsdale.

Royal St George's in Kent has some fine neighbours, too. Royal Cinque Ports and Rye spring to mind, and Princes and Littlestone are also well worth a visit. In the London area Wentworth and Sunningdale are universally admired, but many other courses are deserving of similar acclaim. These include James Braid's Walton Heath, Woking, West Hill, Swinley Forest and St George's Hill.

Sometimes the lesser known courses generate a greater reaction than their famous neighbors. At Muirfield this year we met several people who had discovered Dunbar for the first time in the course of following the Open qualifying event. They were mightily impressed and yet greatly surprised that such a gem had thus far escaped their attention. Visitors to northern Scotland and Northern Ireland often make similar comments. Those who have ventured to Strathpeffer, Brora or Reay wonder why they never looked beyond Dornoch in the past. And devotees of Royal County Down and Royal Portrush find that Portstewart, Ballyliffin and Donegal bear comparison with these, or indeed any other links courses.

Some of the nicest hotels are found off the beaten track, too. Moy House and Gregans Castle near Lahinch are examples, as are Cashel House near Clifden and Cromleach Lodge just south of Sligo. Penmaenuchaf Hall near Aberdovey and Bodysgallen Hall near Conwy are their Welsh equivalents and Enterkine House near Ayr now rivals Lochgreen House for those seeking similar comfort and ambience around Prestwick and Troon.

Finally, if you want a base from which to tour, that will accommodate family and friends for a week or more, we can offer a range of fine country houses in Scotland and Ireland - with or without staff - always within easy reach of a number of fine courses. One or two, such as Eskholme in the English Lake District, even have their own course! Contact us for details.