Top golfing events

Ryder Cup

Without a doubt, the biggest golfing event in the world is the Ryder Cup (www.rydercup.com/2008/index.html), a competition held every 2 years between 2 teams from Europe (captained by Nick Faldo) and the USA (captained by Paul Azinger). The 37th Ryder Cup match will be played in 2008 at the Vahalla Golf Club, Kentucky, USA. The next Ryder Cup to be staged in Britain will be the Wales 2010 Ryder Cup, followed by the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland.

The Open Championship

This is another must-see golf event. The 4-day annual competition is the world's oldest golf championship, and was first held at Prestwick (www.prestwickgc.co.uk/), near Glasgow, in 1860. Past Open champions include Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo. The 2007 Open is staged at Carnoustie, but it's St Andrews that has held the championship more times than anywhere else (27 times). This historical club also plays host to St Andrews Golf Week, where you get the chance to play on one of the world's most famous links.

Women's British Open Championship

Golf is shaking its reputation as a man's sport with the introduction of more ladies' competitions. The Women's British Open Championship is a huge event in the Ladies' Golf Union calendar. In 2007, the championship breaks new ground when it plays at St Andrews from 2-5 August.

Other golf events not to be missed include the Barclays Scottish Open, the Dunhill Links Championship, the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup, and the PGA European Tour. Tickets are available for most of these events so you can be a part of golfing history. Visit the website of the event you want to see for information about getting tickets.