The atmosphere at Gleneagles has been bubbling all week.

It is set to reach fever pitch tomorrow as the Europeans battle it out for what looks like it could be one of the all-time classics against USA in the Ryder Cup.

Husband and wife team Tony and Michelle Booth, of Quarmby, were soaking up every minute of the occasion in their role as official Ryder Cup marshals.

The couple, who both play at Crosland Heath, were selected from 18,000 applicants to be among the team of 1,500 marshals for the world’s most eagerly-anticipated matchplay event.

They arrived last Saturday and have spent the week learning the ropes for their roles, both as marshals on the 210-yard par three fourth hole.

Their duties include crowd and noise control and ball spotting.

Half way through the week they and the other marshals heard an inspirational speech by former Scottish rugby captain Gavin Hastings, who spoke about teamwork and the importance of every individual in the team.

They have seen the golfing stars in action, saw Alex Ferguson on Wednesday, as well as Kenny Dalglish, Jamie Redknapp and Alan Hansen playing a celebrity match. They have also enjoyed a few laughs with the players.

Michelle said: “The atmosphere is brilliant, it has been building up all week. Everything has been organised to an unbelievable level, the attention to detail is incredible.”

She has had to endure some friendly ribbing from her Scottish colleagues, many of whom are in short sleeves and kilts, after buying a woolly hat part way through the week.

She also enjoyed a funny moment standing next to Henryk Stenson’s practice ball on the fairway when vice captain Miguel Angel Jimenez accidentally ran over it in his golf cart.

On realising his mistake, Jimenez jokingly stamped the ball into the ground before digging it out for Stenson, much to the amusement of the marshals.

Husband Tony has been impressed with the way the Americans have interacted with the crowd, joking, shaking hands and signing autographs for them on the practice days. They also took the time to pose for photographs with some of the Gleneagles groundstaff who were watching them practice.

He was particularly impressed with the play of Rory McIlroy and Jim Furyk, adding that the general standard of play in practice was “phenomenal.”

He said: “On the par three fourth, many of the Europeans took a hybrid. Bubba Watson took a seven iron and stiffed it to the middle of the green, it was incredible.

“My feeling is that the Americans are underrated. The Europeans are the favourites, but the Americans are really motivated.

“They were out practising foursomes, which they are not usually as good at. They really meant business and I think they could win.”

His wife disagrees. She is predicting a narrow win for the Europeans.

They will return with many happy memories and the odd souvenir, although it is unlikely that, with their Yorkshire streak of thrift, either of them will be shelling out for one of the official Ryder Cup tartan baseball caps - at a mere £60 each!

The main tournament was preceded by the Junior Ryder Cup, which the young Americans won 16-8, a victory which buoyed their senior counterparts.

The Europeans have the players to win. If they hold their nerve, it should just be enough.