Dunhill Links Championship: With the likes of Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Michael Douglas due to step on to the first tee today, there is no doubt the organisers of the Dunhill Links Championship could put together a decent "Masters" football side, as well as a Hollywood film.
But the question is whether they can stage a tournament worth watching.
On past evidence of this pro-celebrity event, the answer might diplomatically be surmised as "doubtful", a failure which stands as one of the enduring mysteries of European golf.
The prize fund is enormous, the professionals of the highest order, the celebrities numerous, the venues at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews Old Course among the finest links courses in the world, and admission is free. Yet none of these factors has stopped the Dunhill becoming a €3.9 million non-event.
The geographical spread, which diffuses any real sense of occasion, doesn't help. But more than anything, the golfing public are a discerning bunch who refuse to take celebrity players seriously. They might have a point.
Yet a recent tournament seems to suggest there is a huge appetite for celebrity golf. Last month, Celtic Manor in Wales played host to a made-for-television event called the All-Star Cup, which pitted two teams of celebrities from Britain and the US.
Over the three days more than 60,000 turned up, despite needing to pay up to £15 for a ticket, while the TV audience peaked at three million.
Trans World International was astonished. "We have been inundated with requests from sponsors and from other golf courses who are interested in being associated with next year's event," said Bob Massie, the company's head of entertainment.
Massie declined to comment on the Dunhill event, not least because TWI's sister company IMG is involved with its organisation, but he believes the All-Star Cup was a success because the public and the participants had an emotional investment in the outcome.
"The problem with most celebrity reality shows is that everyone know the celebrities are being paid for turning up and they aren't that interested in who wins. Star power is one thing, but you also need passion and enthusiasm - that's the secret."
Colin Montgomerie will be taking the tournament seriously. The Scot returns to St Andrews, scene of his battle with Tiger Woods at this year's British Open, looking for a "big week" to make his mark on the European money-list and Europe's Ryder Cup table.
The championship offers a first prize of €662,415, and the same number of Ryder Cup points. Montgomerie is fourth on the money-list, and although he cannot go top, he can take a big stride towards an eighth order of merit.
However, moving up the European Ryder Cup table is his first concern. "This is a big opportunity for me for the order of merit and also Ryder Cup points," said Montgomerie.
"I am down in 18th spot in the Ryder Cup table, so I have to get my act together and get in the team."
Remarkably, given there are six Irish golfers involved and three courses, all the Irish will be playing at Carnoustie on day one.
Paul McGinley will play alongside Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington is paired with Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane joins Gary Murphy and Darren Clarke hooks up with his great mate Lee Westwood.
