july24 ayrshirecourse

…No Donald Trump’s long-running Aberbeen links project hasn’t yet been given the green light but a prestigious first-class resort – designed to equal Turnberry, Prestwick and Troon – has and is set to change the face of North Ayrshire as part of a multi-million pounds regeneration project.

It appears that ‘The Donald’ has been looking on the wrong side of Scotland to turn his links golf course dream, which has so far been a nightmare, into reality…

’The Ayrshire’, a new 18-hole links course complete with adjoining hotel and selection of pioneering fraction-freehold holiday homes, will generate hundreds of jobs and millions of pounds for the local economy along the waterfront of Irvine Bay.

The new £60million development is a joint venture between property investment and development company Credential Holdings Limited and KPT Limited, the team behind the first ever authentic links course to be built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The new course is to be created by acclaimed golf architect David McLay Kidd, whose previous projects include The Castle course in St Andrews, Machrihanish Dunes at Kintyre and the celebrated Bandon Dunes in Oregon.

“The Ayrshire is in a fantastic location just outside Glasgow and the whole project comes complete with luxury housing and a hotel,” said Euan Grant, former head green keeper of the old course at St Andrews, who will oversee construction.

“It’s close to two or three world class golf resorts and several of Scotland’s other top class courses.

“A lot of people travel to Scotland to play top quality golf so being close to Troon and Prestwick makes Irvine Bay an ideal location from which to explore the magnificent courses the area has to offer.”

The Ayrshire will differ from many other links courses in that it will be open to the public as a pay and play course rather than for members only.

“It was important for us to make it a pay to play course so that it is accessible for everyone,” said Derek Porter, Group Managing Director of Credential Holdings Limited.

“We want as many local people to get involved as possible so those with a neighbouring postcode will pay less to play on the course. We also intend to build a caddie academy to train local teenagers.”

It’s been estimated by the developers that around 25,000 rounds of golf a year will be played at The Ayrshire.

Construction of the par 70 golf course and 220,000 square foot hotel facility, with clubhouse, pro shop, spa, restaurant and conference facilities is estimated to take around 20 months.