Cancelling the Dunhill was made with a heavy heart and not taken lightly

Given the logistics of the competition, played over three courses and with a massive, and international, amateur and professional field, there were simply too many hurdles to overcome to stage the local tournament safely.

Mr German has been involved with the Dunhill since its introduction as a team event in 1985.

It moved to its current format in 2001 and is now a staple on the European Tour, carrying a $5 million prize fund.

This year’s running was due to be played at the start of October before organisers made the sad, but necessary, call just a few days ago.

Mr German said: “We’re all gutted. I’ve been running the Dunhill since 1985 when it first started as the Alfred Dunhill Cup, so it’s a bitter disappointment after 35 years to have a hiatus.

“But the good thing is we’ll be back next year bigger and better, hopefully.”

The Dunhill famously sees 168 tour pros partner 168 amateurs in both individual and team tournaments across three courses, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and the Old Course in St Andrews.

Some of the biggest stars of stage, screen, music and sport have teed up down the years as amateurs, including Bill Murray, Michael Douglas, Justin Timberlake and Samuel L. Jackson.

Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Tony Finau, three of the best golfers in the world, were part of the professional line-up just last year.

Its absence will be felt but fans of the tournament can rest assured it wasn’t for the lack of trying to get it played, with the decision to cancel was left until as late as possible.

Mr German added: “The difficulties we had were the steps that had to be taken to mitigate the coronavirus and to meet Scottish and British Government guidelines.

“The tournament is fairly complex with 168 pros and 168 amateurs, far more than any other event – plus the fact it’s played on three golf courses.

“One of the main problems was that too many people are involved. It was just too risky.

“We looked at all sorts of ways of changing the format but it just proved to be impossible and impractical.

“From a sponsor’s point of view, from a Dunhill point of view, Richemont, who own the company, were concerned that any change in the format would lessen the offering and lose the uniqueness and camaraderie it’s created over the years.

“We were very close to getting it played and the decision to cancel was only made last week.

“We only have 10 weeks until it was due to be played so it certainly wasn’t something we took lightly.”

This was due to be the 20th anniversary of the Dunhill and those celebrations will now take place next year from September 30-October 3.

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