Martin Dempster: Why fans gave thumbs up to golf's established model at British Masters

It was one of those events you’d want to bottle because the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry really was a special week and let’s give credit where credit is due.

First and foremost, it felt like being back at a proper tournament again, having had that taken taken away from us due to the Covid pandemic over the past couple of years, and praise for that goes to the spectators.

On all four days, they turned out in big numbers at the Sutton Coldfield venue and I honestly don’t think I’ve come across so many happy faces out on a golf course.

Let’s not kid ourselves. The field deserved to be a lot better for an event being hosted by Danny Willett for the second year running there, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm.

Those fans loved seeing Willett, Lee Westwood, the Hojgaard twins - Nicolai and Rasmus - and also our own Bob MacIntyre.

Even in England, people are taking notice of the young Oban man and that, of course, is testament to both the way he plays the game and his refreshing attitude to golf and life in general.

Another reason why a huge year for the game on UK soil started so well was The Belfry itself because, quite frankly, it’s one of the best tournament venues around.

Forget what you might have heard from when it staged the first of four Ryder Cups there in 1985 because, all these years on, it’s a bloody good golf course and was presented in tip-top condition again.

That iconic tenth hole really is a gem, as is the 18th, while the tee shot at the sixth, with trouble on both sides, is probably one of the most dreaded on the DP World Tour schedule.

With Thorbjorn Olesen emerging triumphant in a dramatic finish, it was a week that showcased the game at its best, but God only knows what lies ahead because