Tee it up in the glorious golfing landscape of South Ayrshire

SCOTLAND’S south west coast has long been famed for its Open Championship courses - Prestwick, Turnberry and Royal Troon.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Sep 2012, 12:30 BST

All three are known throughout the world for hosting golf’s oldest major; but the glorious golfing landscape of South Ayrshire has so much more to offer.

The rolling dunes bordering the Firth of Clyde are home to an array of stunning links courses including the world-renowned Western Gailes, venue of the 2011 Scottish Amateur Championship, and the spectacular Loch Lomond-owned Dundonald Links, designed by award-winning US golf course architect Kyle Phillips. Although offering very different challenges, both championship links enjoy breathtaking views across the sea to the Isle of Arran and deservedly feature in the top 100 courses in the UK and Ireland.

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Most of Ayrshire’s golfing greats are located along its stunning coastline, but the area is also home to a number of impressive parkland layouts. The Colin Montgomerie-designed Rowallan Castle course at Kilmaurs, set amidst the undulating landscape of the 13th century Rowallan estate, has been billed as “Ayrshire’s newest golfing paradise.”

South west Scotland - just two hours away thanks to P&O’s high speed service between Larne and Troon - offers golf to suit all budgets. As well as its famous championship layouts and hidden gems, it also boasts a wide selection of magnificent municipal courses such as Belleisle in Ayr and the Darley, Fullarton and Lochgreen links at Troon.

Tuathal Breheny, General Manager of the impressive four-star Menzies Hotel in Irvine, explained why the area is the perfect location for a golf break.

“Ayrshire is one of Scotland’s most beautiful areas. It has beautiful scenery, fascinating history and offers a variety of outdoor activities. We have some of the finest golf courses in the world, including Glasgow Gailes, Prestwick, Dundonald, Western Gailes, and the home of The Open in 2016, Royal Troon.

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“At the Menzies Irvine Ayrshire Hotel we have a superb range of facilities, modern bedrooms and a contemporary Brasserie restaurant. Golfers and other guests can be assured that they’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome.”

For more information about great value golf breaks in Ayrshire log on to www.ayrshiregolf.com, www.golfsouthayrshire.com or www.visitscotland.com