An exciting new chapter for one of Scotland’s top golfing venues, Dundonald Links, begins today with the launch of a new website and video, which set out the vision for an ambitious £25m investment that will see the club transform into a luxury golf resort from next summer – and lodge bookings are now open.
2021 will mark a new era for the esteemed course, owned by Darwin Escapes and located on Scotland’s west coast in Ayrshire, a year which will herald the planned opening of a new clubhouse and overnight accommodation facilities for individual and group guests.
Bookable for stays from July 2021, 18 luxury lodges – which feature two, four or six bedrooms – have been custom-designed with golfers in mind, with bag storage and drying areas, en-suite bathrooms, large living spaces and fully-equipped kitchen and dining facilities. Dundonald Links course designer Kyle Phillips is also creating a series of private putting greens on their doorstep.
Phillips is also overseeing £1m of investment in the course itself, with a focus on improving the playing environment and experience, and the addition of a new half-way house.
The combination of the course improvements, new clubhouse and overnight offering will play an important role in operator Darwin Escape’s aspirations to create one of the best venues in the UK to stay and play golf. The leisure operator acquired the club last year and promised to invest in new facilities from the outset after seeing its boundless potential and idyllic location.
Already a well-respected test for bucket-list golfers from across the world, Dundonald has hosted many major professional golf events since 2008 – including the Ladies’ Scottish Open in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2017.
Ian Ferguson, club manager, said: “We wanted to give the golf course the outstanding facilities that it deserves and give golfers everything they could possibly want from a golf break – and this investment programme will do just that.
“Our new video and website encapsulates our vision as we head into this incredibly exciting chapter of Dundonald’s history.
“We are really excited about the new clubhouse and accommodation and can’t wait to welcome our first overnight guests in summer 2021. The Ayrshire coast is home to some of Scotland’s finest links courses and Dundonald Links will make the ideal base for golfers to explore all that it has to offer.”
Planned for opening later next year, the new two-storey clubhouse will be a striking contemporary design, with large balconies overlooking the course and panoramic views to the Isle of Arran. Facilities within the clubhouse will include a pro shop, restaurant, bar, whiskey tasting room, outdoor dining terrace, as well as a gym, sauna, steam room and extensive changing facilities.
Set amongst the picturesque Scottish countryside, the new clubhouse will be created from natural materials, finished with local whinstone and a grass roof, to blend seamlessly with the rugged landscape and surroundings and coincide with Dundonald’s long-term commitment to sustainability, conservation and nature.
In addition, Dundonald Links will cut the ribbon on 22 hotel rooms later next year, these situated beside the clubhouse for ease of access to the restaurant and club facilities.
For further information please contact Kevin Paver on Kevin.Paver@darwinescapes.co.uk