Sports Listings: Plan Ahead: Alfred Dunhill Cup, Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

THE United States return next month to Scotland to defend the Alfred Dunhill Cup, the world team golf competition. The USA had a busy Autumn last year when they beat England in the final, having already captured the Ryder Cup. St Andrews, 'the home of golf', remains the host club - the event is from 6 to 9 October.

There was no qualifying event this year, with all 16 countries invited, including Australia, Ireland and Sweden. Knock-out play was dropped in 1992 in favour of a round-robin format in four groups. The group winners contest the semi-finals on Sunday morning, with the final in the afternoon.

Tickets for the event can be purchased daily from the St Andrews club or in advance from Auchterlonies, the golf club manufacturer and shop, in the town.

St Andrews and North-east Fife tourist board has a comprehensive guide to accommodation, including self-catering. Demand for hotels and guest houses in the town is often high, but there is plenty of bed and breakfast places. Leuchars railway station, on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line, is five miles distant, with a frequent bus service to St Andrews. Taxis cost between pounds 7 and pounds 8.

Alfred Dunhill Cup, Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, 6-9 October. Pro-am day, 5 October.

Admission: Daily pounds 10 adults, pounds 4.50 under-16s / OAPs. Pro-am: pounds 5, pounds 2. Season ticket pounds 28, pounds 15 (includes pro-am day). Advance application available from Auchterlonies, 2-4 Golf Place, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9JA (Tel: 0334- 473253).

Hospitality: Dining Club pounds 109 plus VAT daily. Available from Thursday, though Friday is booked. (Tel: 081-994 1444).

St Andrew and North-East Fife Tourist Board, 78 South Street, St Andrews KY16 9JX (Tel: 0334-472021).