Happy St Andrews Day

Ah no Public Holiday here yet... but everyone's snowed in anyway so doesn't make any real difference. Nice of Google to recognise our Patron's Day. Like the graphic!

Great Value Golf Passes in Ayrshire

We've updated all the rates for the three wonderful value Ayrshire golf passes featuring West Coast Golf Links courses.

The three passes - Ayrshire Qualifier Card, Gailes Links Experience and The Prestwick Pass - are all bookable now.

Find out more about prices, times and availability on the website now

Fairfield House Offers Free WiFi

Good news for visitors is that Scotland's West Coast Golf Links hotel partner The Fairfield House Hotel in Ayr is now offering Free WiFi to all its guests.

It's also got some great deals for golf groups in 2011. Check availability at the hotel's own website with four star twin rooms from only £99 per room in May 2011 - tie in with one of West Coast Links great golf packages for a superb value Ayrshire Golf Break

Fairfield Hotel in Ayr Goes Free WiFi

We think there should be a campaign to have all Scottish hotels offering free wifi as standard!

Until they do we'll quite happily feature those that have made the step.

One of our favourite Ayrshire hotels is going free from 1st of December - The Fairfield House Hotel in Ayr  is not only a great business venue but with its leisure facilities and location by the sea is a great short breaks and golf destination.Check availability and reserve online now.

Ayrshire Golf and Hotels Represented at IGTM

At the time of writing the first appointments for IGTM will be due to start and for the first time in many years Ayrshire's golf and hotel product has a co-ordinated representation at this premium event for the golf tourism industry.

The group of ten links golf courses - from Irvine Bogside south to Turnberry are represented by Guy Redford of Dundonald Links who will be meeting more than forty buyers from across Europe, North American and emerging golf markets such as Russia, China and India.

Guy said this morning, "I'm delighted to be representing the clubs and hotels out here and looking forward to generating some really positive interest in what Ayrshire has to offer both on and off the course. It's great having the materials pulled together for the first time with all the green fees, tour operator rates and playing information all collated. It's really positive to have the golf clubs recognising that collaborations with hotels, service providers and even the golf pros is the way forward. I'm very encouraged that Scotland's West Coast Golf Links has achieved this in its first year and look forward to cementing that presence over the next few days in Valencia."

Find out more about IGTM and what golf in Ayrshire has to offer for 2011 by visiting the website

Gailes LInks Course Guide

Great new addition to the Gailes Links website has been unveiled with  a fantastic Video Course Guide.

Gailes Links, also known as Glasgow Gailes, have introduced a short video on their

web home page showing the course, clubhouse, practice facilities and other amenities.

Even more impressively they have on their web site an “Interactive Video Course Guide” - (right). 

You can click on a hole number to view the video fly through with expert commentary from John Greaves, PGA Professional, and the Golf Pro at Gailes Links.

Gailes Links will be represented at the forthcoming  International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in Valencia with the rest of Scotland's West Coast Golf Links on the Visitscotland stand.

Teeing Off - 150th Anniversary of The Open

Took a couple of pictures on what was a historic moment for the four golfers involved - Brian Morrison Prestwick Club Captain, David Fleming, Club Pro, Ian Bunch club secretary and Ian McCaig from Scotland's West Coast Golf Links - and Jock the dug!

Winter Golf Breaks in Fife at Kingsbarns

Looking for a winter golf break?

Well you could do a lot worse than the Fife coast and to boot one of its top golf courses, Kingsbarns, have decided to open their course for an additional two weeks at the end of the year. It's quite unbelievably celebrating its tenth anniversary and was recently ranked 15th in the Golf World Top 100, 

The course will now stay open until November 14 to accommodate increased demand from visiting golfers.

You could play this wonderful links and have a stay at any number of Fife properties including some great privately run hotels such as The Inn at Lathones, The Crusoe Hotel, Ogstons on North Street  - all have some great winter deals and online booking.

Stuart McEwen, the General Manager, said: "After a very busy season and another successful Alfred Dunhill Links Championship the course is still in fantastic condition and we want to give visiting golfers as much chance to enjoy it as possible. 2010 has been a tremendous year for Kingsbarns. We have celebrated the 10th anniversary of the course opening, hosted the Open Championship Local Final Qualifying and attracted greater numbers of visiting golfers. We want to keep the momentum going before the regular winter break."

Kingsbarns attracted widespread praise from both the professionals and the amateurs at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

British actor Hugh Grant said: ""For the middle-aged golf addict like myself, this is like dying and going to golfing heaven. It's impossible to say which of the three courses is the best but Kingsbarns is probably the prettiest."

The Hollywood film star Andy Garcia said: "The Kingsbarns Course reminds me a lot of some of the golf courses on the California coastline. There's one on the Monterrey Peninsula, and Pebble Beach too. I love playing links courses and Kingsbarns is a beautiful design. It looks much more than just 10 years old."

For tee time reservations you can call +44 (0)1334 460861 or visit the Kingsbarns website

Marking the 150th Anniversary of The Open

October 17th 2010. 

The scene, with four golfers making their way towards the first tee in watery autumnal morning sunshine is not an unusual one in itself being replicated on courses across Scotland and beyond by tens of thousands of Sunday morning golfers.

The difference this morning however is the location and the date. Accompanied by the Club Captain Brian Morrison, Club Secretary Ian Bunch and Club Pro David Fleming, I was in fact walking towards The Cairn which marks the location of the first tee of the first Open Championship which teed off exactly 150 years earlier over Prestwick Links on the Ayrshire coast.

October 17th 1860

That was a Wednesday and on that particular Wednesday morning a small group of eight roughly dressed individuals made their way towards the wind-strewn sand hills of Prestwick from The Red Lion Inn at The Cross which doubled back then as the clubhouse for Prestwick Links.

According to the history books, “Under his arm each carries a strange assortment of wooden implements. They march, like prisoners under guard, accompanied by four members of the gentry, whose role it is to ensure that none among them shall transgress.”

For certain they were not aware of what they were about to set in motion but it was on this day 150 years ago that history was made by the eight individuals made up of “golf professionals”. Professionals in the sense that they made a living form the game through as a caddy, club or ball maker.

The eight players teed of at midday and before dusk had fallen they had played 36 holes of stroke or medal play golf

They were unknowingly making history by playing the first ever round of The Open Championship resulting in the presentation of The Belt to Willie Park from Musselburgh who won that first Open with a score of 174 and a two stroke cushion over Tom Morris who was at that time the Keeper of Prestwick’s green.

The red morocco belt was purchased for £25 by the members of Prestwick and subsequently retained by Young Tom Morris after he won it in three successive years from 1868-70. The Claret Jug, still played for now, was then purchased jointly by Prestwick, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfer and first played for in 1872.

So it was with this burden of history that our band of four men and a dog took the short walk to the historic mound of stone and the starting point for the first ever Open Championship.

Now if you’ve played Prestwick before you’ll know that the first runs alongside the Glasgow to Ayr railway line with out of bounds on the right. It is a rather intimidating opener. Well the “old first” exists in the sense that the tee is there and the green is there, the green being the current 16th.

Apart from that there is no fairway and the thirteenth green stands in your way! The fairway as I saw it seemed to be a path about five yards wide running down from the fourteenth tee. That made this an even more intimidating opener.

Add to this that every golfer in Scotland has his own Open Championship memories and who wouldn’t have wanted to be standing in our place. My own first Open memory was as an eight year old at Muirfield chasing Tony Jacklin in a buggy (he in the buggy not me) for an autograph. Various spectating highlights have followed over the years at Troon, Turnberry, The Old Course, Carnoustie, Birkdale and Lytham and my own single zenith as a spotty 17 year old youth caddying for English Amateur Chris Poxon at Royal Troon. We (he) may have missed the cut but it is my own special albeit tenuous “professional” connection with the greatest of golf championships.

It may be gilding the lily slightly to say that it was an emotional moment but there was a genuine sense of history in teeing the ball up on that spot at that moment and I have to say it was with some pride, for all I think, that each drive left the tee – straight - following that historic route.

The original 1st hole measured 578 yards and the talk on the tee was how Tom Morris Jnr could hole out over that distance in three strokes using hickory shafts and a gutty golf ball. I still haven’t figured it out but it would have required me to hole out with a four wood to have replicated the feat!

As it was the green was reached in three and unusually two putted for a five. Elation.

Our Professional David Fleming lipped out from a few feet for what would have been a deserved four and Ian Bunch, the club secretary, well Ian was penalised by the fact that what would have been fairway in 1860 was now benefitting from a 150 years of growth!

As I played the rest of the round, I couldn’t help, as I criss-crossed those hallowed fairways, but compare Prestwick again with all of those aforementioned championship links and how well this challenge still compared. So hallowed indeed were those fairways that I quite respectfully avoided playing from most of them!

Prestwick remains one of the purest links golf challenges that a golfer can take on and while it will never see an Open championship again, it will for sure continue to be high on the list of courses you must play before you die. Indeed it should be very high on that list.

In those early days Prestwick, however, continued to host the Open and did so intermittently until its swan song in 1925 when sheer pressure of crowd numbers contributed, it is said, to the home favourite MacDonald Smith losing out to his American challenger Jim Barnes.

Indeed as part of the 150th celebrations, the pro shop has taken a series of the images from that last event and produced a wonderful range of canvasses. David Fleming explained, “There is such a wealth of history in the club archives that it seemed a natural project to follow and they have been incredibly popular with visitors and members alike. When you scale the images up to 40 inches you can see that even in 1925 hospitality tents had already made an appearance and the crowds around the players must have made it almost impossible to play competitive golf!”

(Since it was formed in 1851, David Fleming is only the eight professional in the club’s history.)

Indeed the history is all around you at Prestwick. Replica belts and trophies, original scorecards, photographs, winners boards. Yet the contradiction at Prestwick is that while it retains its tradition it is far from lost in it.

Since becoming the club secretary Ian Bunch has, in his own style, transformed the way the club is seen from the outside. First class visitor facilities and a genuinely warm welcome are offered at Prestwick along with increases in tee time availability for the tourism markets; a position that in itself encouraged other golf courses in the area to follow suit.

In addition each year Prestwick recognises the role that the golf travel sector play in its success by hosting a wonderfully quirky “six-some” event.

The cherished highlight was surely the first hole but our game was rounded off with an equally indelible memory coming down the 13th hole.

Playing into the wind, the club pro once again out hit us both by seventy five yards into the wind. As we approach our balls we witness the gap decreasing with David Fleming’s ball coming towards our own being pushed back down the fairway assiduously by the beak of a rather large black crow!

Patently tiring the crow looks up towards the incoming golfers and decides to beat an escape with the golf ball firmly fixed in its beak and heads for the beach. Imperiously now, and sensing escape with a Taylor Made Penta, it flies off and lands fifty yards away on the boundary fence separating course from beach; differentiating in-play from Out of Bounds.

And yes you can guess the next part. It had a last thought about where it was going to drop the ball, turned towards the Firth of Clyde, decided the pro needed penalised and neatly dropped Mr Fleming’s ball Out of Bounds!

Hole to the amateurs on the day of the first professionals!

On a day such as this it was quite clear that the spirit of 150 years ago was still very much present in the south westerly Ayrshire breeze and hell if we want to romanticise the presence of our feathered friend on this day then who is to condemn us!

Thank you Prestwick for what you started and to Ian Bunch and David Fleming for letting me share a little part of it with them.

You can find out more about the history and heritage of not only The Open Championship at Prestwick but also Troon, Turnberry and the other seven links golf courses on Scotland's West Coast.

Winter Tee Times at Royal Troon

The Scottish Golf Union has teamed up with one of world golf’s most famous venues, Royal Troon to offer SGU affiliated golf club members exclusive green fee rates during the winter months.

Royal Troon have very generously donated tee times to the Scottish Golf Union to offer to golf club members in Scotland with all proceeds going into junior golf development. The tee times, detailed below are available for £280 per fourball, allowing golf club members a terrific discount on the standard green-fees at Royal Troon.

The following tee-times are available at the special discounted rate:
All times available are on a Tuesday at 10.00am

• November 2010 – 2nd, 9th
• December 2010 – 7th, 14th
• January 2011 – 4th, 18th
• February 2011 – 1st, 15th
• March 2011 – 1st, 15th
• April 2011 – 5th

To book your tee-times, please contact the Scottish Golf Union on 01334 466477 or for further information please e-mail l.llewellyn@scottishgolf.org. All tee-times are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Scottish Golf Screensavers

In the week that sees the 150th Anniversary of The Open Championship teeing off for the very first time at Prestwick Golf Club, we're adding some nice wee gadgets to the website for you to use.

The first of these can be seen in the Downloads Page of the website which as well as featuring PDF versions of the printed materials it also now has a Screensaver from each of the ten courses invovled with Scotland's West Coast Golf Links.

So if you're looking for something different on your screen as the winter months reduce your golf play why not download one of Ayrshire's finest links golf courses to keep you sane until the Spring. And then you can visit us in 2011 and play the real thing.

Screensavers of Scotlands Championship Links Courses

In the week that sees the 150th Anniversary of The Open Championship teeing off for the very first time at Prestwick Golf Club, we're adding some nice wee gadgets to the website for you to use.

The first of these can be seen in the Downloads Page of the website which as well as featuring PDF versions of the printed materials it also now has a Screensaver from each of the ten courses invovled with Scotland's West Coast Golf Links.

So if you're looking for something different on your screen as the winter months reduce your golf play why not download one of Ayrshire's finest links golf courses to keep you sane until the Spring. And then you can visit us in 2011 and play the real thing.

Scottish Links to Valencia...

Scotland's West Coast Golf Links are delighted to confirm that they will be attending the International Golf Travel Market in Valencia this November alongside industry partners on the VisitScotland stand.

Group Chairman, and Prestwick Golf Club Secretary, Ian Bunch was delighted that the marketing group were going to be represented, "IGTM presents an exciting opportunity for Scotland's West Coast Golf Links to promote the golf destination of Ayrshire to the travel trade. Whilst we are hardly unknown there is more to the area than many realise and this market gives us the opportunity to present our product clearly to the travel trade."

The group will be represented by Guy Redford from Dundonald Links who is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities the event offers. "We've believed for some time that Ayrshire needed a presence at key travel trade events and we are sure that being at IGTM will open up some great new business relationships not only with the golf courses but also the accommodation providers all over Ayrshire."

Find out more about Scotland's West Coast Golf Links on their website and get the low down on IGTM online

Winter Golf at Prestwick and Muirfield

Exclusive Deals for Golf Club Members at Scotland's Open Championship Venues.

Members of SGU affiliated golf clubs can take advantage of exclusive preferential green fees this winter at two of Scotland’s most famous Open Championship venues with proceeds from sales being invested into the development of junior golf in Scotland. Once you've booked your tee time you can check Scottish hotel availability and book on line at Scotland's for Me

Muirfield and Prestwick have generously donated tee-times to the Scottish Golf Union between October and the end of March, with a four-ball on Prestwick costing just £280, representing great savings against the standard green fee rates. A four-ball at Muirfield this year is available at a further discounted rate of £200 due to winter work being carried out on the course

These special offers are only available to existing members of SGU affiliated clubs.

Tee-Time Availability:

Muirfield
9.30am Tee-Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November to end of March

Prestwick
12.00pm Tee-Time Every Monday from now until end of March

To book your tee-times, you should contact the Scottish Golf Union on 01334 466477 or for further information please e-mail l.llewellyn@scottishgolf.org. All tee-times are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Muirfield has hosted the Open Championship on no fewer than 15 occasions, the last of which was back in 2002 when South African Ernie Els lifted the Claret Jug and will be Scotland’s next Open Championship venue in 2013.

Prestwick of course lays claim to the birthplace of the Open Championship, having staged the first ever event back in 1860. Situated on the picturesque Ayrshire coastline, it has retained its reputation as one of the finest links courses in the country, with a visit to the Prestwick clubhouse a must during your day, featuring a glittering collection of memorabilia from the various championships it hosted during the club’s rich history.

Conditions

• The number of tee-times is limited so you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.
• Payment must be made in full within 7 days of booking and tee-times will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
• All four members of your group must be members of an SGU affiliated golf club and handicap certificates will required at each club.
• Further rules and regulations for visitors at Muirfield and Prestwick will be sent to you following confirmation of your booking.
• The four-ball at Muirfield is £80 less than last year as winter work is being carried out on the course.

Winter Golf Lessons in Scotland

Turnberry Resort Links Golf Academy offer Winter Tuition

As the days get shorter and crisper, winter is the perfect season to improve your golf game. Where better to improve and practice your swing than at Europe's leading Links Golf Academy at The Turnberry Resort home to the Ailsa and Kintyre links golf courses. 

 

Winter Tuition at Turnberry includes:

• Two 30 minute lessons (using the latest teaching GASP software)
• 30 minute putting Lesson
• 30 minute short game lesson
• 4 rounds on the Arran Academy course

The cost of this great golf tuition offer is only £179 per person and is available from the 1st November 2010 until 31st March 2011.

E-mail turnberry@luxurycollection.com or call the Turnberry Reservations Team on +44.1655.333.991 for more information

October and November Golf Deals at Turnberry Ayrshire

As The Ryder Cup approaches thoughts will inevitably turn to getting some more golf in before the winter. You could do a lot worse than turning your attention to the wonderful opportunities for Autumn and Winter golf on Scotland's West Coast Golf Links where it is quite possible to play on full greens the whole year round.

One such opportunity exists with the package from Turnberry, "Golf in the Gulfstream at Turnberry"

With fewer hours in the day, a round at Turnberry is treasured all the more, particularly when a round is available from only £79.

Golf in the Gulfstream at Turnberry includes:

• One round of golf per person on The Kintyre or The Ailsa
• Bacon roll and coffee upon arrival
• Three course lunch at Tappie Toorie

The cost of these Ayrshire Golf Packages are: 

• The Ailsa - £129 per person in October and £99 in November
• The Kintyre - £99 per person in October and £79 in November

E-mail turnberry@luxurycollection.com or call the Turnberry Reservations Team on +44.1655.333.991 for more information

Corporate Partners at Gailes Links

In these financially constrained times it's often hard to justify corporate entertaining but sometimes the benefits have to be looked at closely and when it stacks up it really can still provide a strong return on investment. Golf clubs in Ayrshire are all looking at their own offerings closely and for businesses in the west of Scotland the package put together by Glasgow Golf Club for their Gailes Links course near Irvine ticks a lot of boxes.

The Corporate Partners Programme offers Sponsorship packages at both Killermont and Gailes Links.
The fee is between £2,150 to £2,700 plus VAT for 12 months, depending on the package. They represent excellent value and can be tailored to your needs.

Packages entitles the Corporate Partner to,

• an appropriate advertising plaque on one of the tees
  
• between 40 and 80 Green Fee tickets which may be used for a one-off event or a number of smaller or separate groups (plus an additional 20 Green Fee tickets are available at a reduced cost)
  
• Partners at Killermont can use the Dining Room, Gun Room and Tennant Room for business meetings/seminars and lunches/dinners etc by arrangement
  
• Partners at Gailes Links can use the Dining Room and Ian McLaren Room for business meetings/lunches etc by arrangement
  

Enquiries should be made to either Alan McMillan the Managing Secretary, or Claire Tennent the Golf Administrator, by telephoning 0141 942 2011 or emailing secretary@glasgowgolfclub.com

Gailes Links Publish 2011 Green Fees

Gailes Links (or Glasgow Gailes as many would recognise it) on the Ayrshire coast have recently agreed their green fees up to September 2011. The details are:

WINTER - (Nov 10 to March 11)
Single round Midweek Only: £35.00

SHOULDER -(Oct 10 & April 11)
Single round Midweek: £55.00
Single round Weekend (after 2.30pm): £65.00

SUMMER -(May to Sept 2011)
Single round Midweek: £70.00
Single round Weekend(after 2.30pm): £80.00
Single round with 2 course meal Midweek: £75.00
Day Rate (2 rounds)Midweek Only: £85.00 n/a
Day Rate (2 rounds includes 2 course meal)Midweek Only: £90.00

Junior Green Fees available on request

SPECIAL AFTERNOON OFFERS
September 2010
Book a tee time Monday to Friday 2.00 to 4.00pm for £160.00 (For a fourball this is a saving of £30.00 per person)
October 2010 and April 2011
Book a tee time Monday to Friday 2.00 to 4.00pm for £140.00 (For a fourball this is a saving of £20.00 per person)

Dundonald Links Winter Golf?

Looks like there's some great value off season golf available at Dundonald Links starting with £40 green fees for October. More information from Dundonald Links website but have a wee look at the picture gallery to be tempted furtehr

Prestwick Golf Pass rates for 2011 and 2012

Introducing the Prestwick Golf Pass...

The three Prestwick golf clubs have trialled a joint marketing initiative, offering a round on each course at a special rate. This has proved successful for each of the Clubs and it is the intention to roll it out for the 2011 / 2012. The current prices are indicated below and the VAT increase will come into effect in April 2011. Weekend supplements will apply where times are available.

The golf pass includes a midweek round over the Birthplace of The Open Championship, Prestwick Golf Club, former Open Qualifying links course, Prestwick St Nicholas and the excellent parkland layout Prestwick St Cuthberts
 


To help golf groups, societies and tour operators looking to price their packages, the three Ayrshrie golf clubs have set their prices all the way through to April 2012. Hotels will be able to now create winter golf pacakges with the knowledge of the price and availability of the product.

The prices of the pass are as follows

Prestwick Summer Golf Pass - April through October  2010
Total  Summer Prestwick Pass £165
This shows a saving of £45 on Normal rates

Prestwick Winter Golf Pass - Nov 2010 through March 2011

Total  Winter Prestwick Pass £120
This shows a saving of £100 on Normal rates
Prestwick Summer Golf Pass - April through October  2011

Total  Summer Prestwick Pass £170
This shows a saving of £45 on Normal rates
Prestwick Winter Golf Pass - Nov 2011 through March 2012

Total  Winter Prestwick Pass £125
This shows a saving of £100 on Standard rates
               
Enquiries can be directed to bookings@prestwickgc.co.uk

Ayrshire Winter Golf Experience

The Gailes Golf Experience have this week announced special off season rates for autumn and winter 2010-11.

In October 2010 and March 2011 you can enjoy three rounds of golf over Dundonald Links, Western Gailes and Gailes Links for £140; play between November and February for as little as £110 for a round on each course.

Winter Golf may not be for everyone but if you're looking for somewhere to play you could hardly pick better than the west coast links of Scotland - with if you're fortunate some of the finest views across to the Isle of Arran.

With the odd exception (last winter!) many courses remain playable on full greens all year round. The winter rates can't promise that and conditions are always subject to the weather but it really does offer a great value Scottish golf short break and you can tie it in with superb value room rates at some of Ayrshire's best hotels.

Off Season Green Fees (October and March) £140

Winter Green Fees (November to February) £110

Gailes Links Great Ayrshire Golf Deal

Glasgow Golf Club's Ayrshire course, Gailes Links (known to many as Glasgow Gailes) are offering a great value deal with their Gailes Links offer  -  you can now book a tee time for only £160 up to 30th September which for four golfers represents a saving of £30 per person. The offer is available Monday to Friday between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.

From 1st to 31st October 2010 the price drops to £140.

You can book online at the Gailes Links website and reservations can also be made on  0141 942 2011 or email admin@gaileslinks.co.uk

Prestwick Open Championship 1925 Canvases

A selection of canvases featuring images of The Open Championship 1925 at Prestwick Golf Club are available to purchase via the professional David Fleming at the Pro Shop. Canvases currently range from 40" x 20" inches to 40"x 30" inches for more information and to order please call +44 (0) 1292 479 483.

Barassie Junior Champion Crowned

The image shows Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club's newly crowned Junior Club Champion, David Wilson receving the trophy from Captain David Miller. 

Superb rounds of 79 and 72 saw him tie on 151 with Euan Walker. However, one under par on the three-hole playoff, saw him take the title for the first time.

New Club Champion for Barassie

It was Club Championship weekend at Barassie and newly crowned Club Champion (and immediate past captain) Robbie Faulker is seen receiving the trophy from current Captain David Miller. 

It is also significant Los Hombres are partnered in the Coronation Cup (the foursomes competition) and are at the semi-final round. Another title for Robbie? ...don’t bet against it!!

Turnberry Green Fees - Ailsa and Kintyre

We've been asked a few times recently how you can get on to Turnberry's Open Championship course The Ailsa host of the 2009 Open Championship so we thought we'd publish a brief overview. You can always visit the Turnberry Resort site for further information

Now more than ever guests not staying at the resort will enjoy great special offers on afternoon tee times on The Ailsa. Visitors can now book Tee Times after 3pm any time in advance.

To make a reservation please call +44.1655.334.032 or email turnberry.teetimes@luxurycollection.com 

(H) Hotel Guest (V)Visitors

The Ailsa Course

1st of May - 31st of September - £150 (H); £190 (V)     
1st of October - 31st of October  - £90 (H): £110 (V)      
1st of November - 31st of March - £75 (H); £90 (V)       

The KintyreCourse

1st of May - 31st of September - £100 (H); £130 (V)     
1st of October - 31st of October - £65 (H); £85 (V)     
1st of November - 31st of March - £50 (H); £70 (V)    

Combination
Includes 1 round on the Ailsa course and 1 round on the Kintyre course. Applies to hotel guests only.One visit only and cannot be carried forward to the next visit
1st of May - 31st of September - £220
1st of October - 31st of October - £130
1st of November - 31st of March - £115


Other fees:
Caddie: £40 per person plus gratuity at own discretion
Club hire: £70 per person per day / £50 per person per round / £30 per person for 9 holes

The Ailsa Sunset Rates
What could be more perfect than a round on the legendary Ailsa in the pure, clear light of a long summer evening? Then, when the last putt has been sunk, head to the Duel in the Sun bar to reflect on the day's play.

•     £90 per person on The Ailsa
•     £50 per person on The Kintyre
•     Available daily from 3pm onwards

Book any time in advance, call +44.1655.334.032

The Great Golf Experience
Turnberry is links golf at its most challenging, it's most exciting. And now you can experience it twice over on this special golfing package.The Great Golf Experience includes:

•   Two nights accommodation
•   Daily full Scottish breakfast
•   Daily three course dinner
•   One round of golf per person on both the Championship Ailsa and Kintyre courses
•   Complimentary High Speed Internet Access
•   Twin/double occupancy

The Links Unlimited
Ideal for a group of 12 or more golfers, The Links Unlimited allows exclusive use of a lodge at Turnberry offering six to eight bedrooms and a large living room area.Only a short chip away from the matchless Ailsa and Kintyre links golf courses. The Links Unlimited includes:

• Overnight accommodation in a classic lodge room
• Full Scottish breakfast in the clubhouse
• Complimentary room hire for a private lunch or dinner
• One pre-bookable round on The Ailsa
• Unlimited play on The Kintyre Course

From £175 per person, based on twin occupancy

Family Golf Tuition
The Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy offers a unique teaching proposition: rather than impose a whole new way of playing on students the pros will nurture each individual's ability and concentrate on one or two critical areas.

Enjoy a one hour lesson with family or friends using the state of the art teaching and practice facilities of the Academy.

• £99 for up to five people
•  Available daily

New Wedding Reception Suite for Turnberry

Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland, has unveiled a new wedding reception suite that boasts one of the most inspiring and romantic backdrops in the UK.

The Turnberry Suite combines a five-star quality wedding destination for up to 200 people with stunning ocean views over the Irish Sea, Ailsa Craig and the mountains of Arran.

Direct access to a large private terrace offers space for wedding parties to enjoy an alfresco champagne reception while the sun sets. This stunning wedding venue also offers an array of photo opportunities throughout the 800 acre estate, from dramatic locations at the Turnberry lighthouse and on the steps of the hotel to warm and intimate settings in front of the log burning fires in the The Grand Tea Lounge.

The venue is fresh, spacious and ideally suited for wedding receptions. A series of floor-to-ceiling windows flood the venue with natural light and offer direct access to the terrace.

The choice of ocean-view suites are the perfect setting for the happy couple to relax in style after their big day. Generous in size, opulent in design, the suites offer all the thoughtful touches you might wish for, including large, walk-in shower with separate bathtub and, enticing Arran Aromatics toiletries.

Offering special accommodation rates for wedding guests, Turnberry has 198 guest rooms including 42 newly renovated deluxe rooms and four lavish ocean-view suites in main hotel, as well as 12 lodges with eight bedrooms and six bedrooms on the estate.

Prices for weddings at Turnberry of 50 or more people start from only GBP80 per person, including:

• Turnberry Suite room hire
• Three course wedding breakfast
• Optional drinks package (half bottle wine and 2 glasses of sparkling wine per person)
• Bed & Breakfast accommodation for the Bride & Groom in a deluxe ocean-view bedroom with VIP amenity
• Flowers for table centre pieces, menu cards, place cards and table plans
• Table linen and chair covers
• Cake stand and knife
• Microphone and speakers

To speak to a member of Turnberry's dedicated wedding team, please telephone 01655 333 996, e-mail turnberry@luxurycollection.com or visit http://www.turnberryresort.co.uk/meeting


If  you're looking for wedding availability in Ayrshire you can book your rooms directly with Scotland's For Me Online

Home of The Open Seeks New Secretary

Prestwick Golf Club, the home of The Open Championship, is seeking a new Club Secretary ahead of the upcoming retirement of the current Secretary after 15 years.

The job, one of the most prestigious in golf, will be advertised from this week and applications are expected from across the UK.

With the current Secretary retiring at the turn of the year after 15 years at the helm, the successful candidate will take up the appointment at the start of 2011.
This summer, the world renowned golf club is hosting the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the first Open Championship which was played at Prestwick in 1860. Invited guests include all living Open Champions and Captains of all the Clubs which have hosted The Open.

Peter Graham, Chairman of Prestwick Golf Club, said, “This is one of the most prestigious jobs in golf and we are expecting a great deal of interest from across the whole of the UK. Having hosted the first 12 Open Championships, Prestwick has a special place in the history of golf and as such, the Club’s Secretary has a high profile role within the game.

“We are looking for someone who can represent Prestwick at the highest levels within the game at the same time as ensuring the smooth running of the Club on a daily basis and we are confident the calibre of applicants will be high.

“We are extremely grateful to our outgoing Secretary, Ian Bunch, for his dedication and commitment to Prestwick Golf Club over the last 15 years and for all his hard work on the 150th Open Championship Anniversary celebrations this summer.”

The advertisement for the Secretary can be downloaded here and is being advertised in numerous publications from this week.

Archerfield to Host Hickory Golf Event

According to Martin Dempster in The Scotsman Archerfield Links has been added to the venues for this year's World Hickory Open in East Lothian.

 

It will stage the event, being supported for the first time by the Scottish Golf Union, along with Musselburgh Old Links, Craigielaw and Gullane No.2 & No.3.

"The new course selection, the rapidly growing popularity of the hickory game and the presence of at least three National Hickory Champions, is assurance that this year's Open will attract a record field," said tournament chief Lionel Freedman.

"This tournament is for professionals and amateurs alike, which adds another unique dimension to the event."

The event takes place on 20-24 September and early entries include current national hickory champions, Mike Stevens from the United States, Owe Werner from Sweden, Perry Somers from Australia, Ian Forrester from Holland and Marc Amort from Schloss Langenstein in Germany.

"It provides a great opportunity to take a step back in time and see how golf was played prior to modern technology," said Hamish Grey, Chief Executive of the Scottish Golf Union. "I'm sure it will be a great occasion for hickory fans from Scotland and all over the world."

British Boys Championship Arrives in Ayrshire

The R&A have rolled into town with two of Scotland's West Coast Links golf courses joint hosting the British Boys Amateur Championships.

Practice started on Sunday morning at Barassie and Dundonald with the Strokeplay Qualifying teeing off on Tuesday morning.

Visitors are welcomed along to both clubs to watch the proceedings and you can download the full start list for Tuesday and Wednesday play here. The draw will be published on a daily basis on this blog for the Matchplay sections from Thrusday onwards.

Barassie are publishing their images from the event directly onto their Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/barassie

Prestwick St Nicholas - The Perfect 19th Hole?

Once you've finished your round at Prestwick St Nicholas - and particularly if the final three holes have left you traumatised - what better way to round off the day with a post match meal in one of the most splendidly located golf club restaurants in the country.

With views across the Firth of Clyde to Arran, the sunsets can be truly magnificent and are complemented by the excellent menu and wine list on offer.

So next time you're playing at Prestwick St. Nicholas, make sure you extend the dinner invitation to the non playing members of your group and be sure of an excellent dining experience.

Find out more about Prestwick St Nicholas with Scotland's West Coast Golf Links.

Sunset Golf on The Ailsa at Turnberry

What could be more perfect than a round on the legendary Ailsa Course at Turnberry on Scotland's West Coast in the pure, clear light of a long summer evening?

Sunset rates apply this year from 3.00pm daily from only £90 per person on The Ailsa and £50 on The Kintyre.

This represents truly wonderful value for money and an opportunity to play what is arguably the most attractive and scenic of all The Open Championship venues

Email Turnberry or call 00 44 (0)844 811 3311 to book your tee time and visit Scotland's West Coast Golf Links to discover more about the magic of Turnberry

Prestwick Pro Shop marks 150th Open Anniversary

2010 marks the 150th anniversary of the first Open Championship that was played at Prestwick Golf Club. To celebrate the occasion The Professional's Shop at Prestwick Golf Club have introduced an exclusive Open Championship range of merchandise. 

This new range incorporates "Birthplace of The Open Championship" as well as the official claret jug logo only available at Open Championship host venues.

In addition David Fleming recently commissioned a series of 1925 Open Championship canvas prints representing the last time the championship was held at the course.

The images were lovingly recreated from original prints and now are available on 40" x 30" box canvas as a collectible piece of Scottish golf  memorabilia exclusively from the Pro Shop - telephone 01292 479483 or visit the Prestwick Pro Shop Store

Late Availability at Royal Troon

At the time of writing there's a late availability offer at the magnificent Royal Troon Golf Club on the Ayrshire coast next week for two four balls on the 17th of August playing both the Championship course and the Portland.

You can reserve these and other times on-line at The Royal Troon Bookings page or find out more about this famous Open Championship golf course at Scotland's West Coast Golf Links.

Afternoon Golf Offers at Barassie

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club near Troon in Ayrshire are currently readying themselves for a week's hosting of the prestigious British Boys Championship with young golfers from across Europe descending on the course to vie for the title.

However whilst the course may be closed to visitors from the 8th to the 14th of August when it reopens you can take advantage of the fantastic condition of the course at a 20% discount on afternoon green fees.

Subject to availability golfers can get 20% off the green fee between 2pm and 3.30pm Sunday to Friday during August and September.

Simply call Barassie Golf Reservations on 01292 313920 and find out more about this great Ayrshire golfing venue on Scotland's West Coast Golf Links

Dundonald Links Last Minute Offers

Dundonald Links, the Kyle Phillips designed links course on the Ayrshire Coast will this week be hosting the qualifying strokeplay rounds along with neighbour Barassie Links for The British Boys Championship.

Whilst the course will not be availble fro play from the 8th to the 11th there are still available tee times at great special offer prices either side of the Boys' event

You can get a round on Dundonald Links at the following times for only £50.00 Per Player

• Friday 6 August - 12.30 p.m. till 3.00 p.m.
• Saturday 7 August - 1.00 p.m. till 3.00 p.m.
• Thursday 12 August - 8.00 a.m. till 10.00 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. till 3.00 p.m.
• Friday 13 August - 8.00 a.m. till 10.00 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. till 3.00 p.m.

Quote "Summer Web Offer" at time of booking and call 01294 314000.

Western Gailes Video

The importance of video footage is increasing dramatically in the hospitality sector and it can be seen in golf course marketing as well. What better way to showcase a links golf course than with a well produced video. In these days of increasing importance of social media video footage taken by your visitors can be loaded up onto YouTube and even embedded back into your own site without too much technical knowledge.

Anyway, Western Gailes have a great piece of video on their site which if you're thinking of visiting is well worth a watch.

For more information on Western Gailes visit their page on Scotland's West Coast Golf Links

Gailes Links Summer Golf Packages

Gailes Links is owned and managed by Glasgow Golf Club, the 9th oldest golf Club in the world. This Championship Qualifying course is well placed in Ayrshire, close to the legendary Turnberry, Royal Troon and Old Prestwick Golf courses.

The club created a completely new website for 2010 separating the Glasgow Golf Club site from the Gailes Links. The new site now offers online booking for Gailes Links course using the BRS system. The system allows visitors to book and manage their tee times and additionally gives tour operators access to do the same for their clients.


If your looking  for more information on the club you can visit the dedicated page on Scotland's West Coast Golf Links or perhaps you could take advantage of their summer golf package.

Edinburgh to Oban By Train

ScotRail is to launch a Sunday train service for day trippers from Sunday 25th of July to Oban from Edinburgh, Linlithgow and Polmont over six weeks this summer and run each Sunday until 29 August inclusive.

The service is timed to give passengers five hours in the West Highland town and designed to appeal to people in Edinburgh and West Lothian who would love a day out in Oban – without taking the car.

The train will leave Edinburgh Waverley at 0810 and arrive back in the capital at 2107.

Graeme MacFarlane, marketing manager at ScotRail said that the move was in direct response to listening to customers – as well as people opting to holiday in the UK due to ongoing uncertainty regarding air travel.

He added: “Many customers in the East of Scotland have told us they would love to experience the West Highland Line for a day out but would prefer not to change trains – and sometimes stations – at Glasgow.

“This new, direct service changes all that and should boost tourism. And we’ll be offering cream teas on the scenic route, which really is the icing on the cake of a special day out!”

David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland’s Regional Director in Argyll said: “We’ve just launched a £250,000 campaign specifically encouraging Scots to take holidays in their own country, so expanding train services to accommodate the needs of the day trip market fits very well with this. There are lots of things to do within walking distance of Oban station for families and individuals alike, not least taking in the panoramic views from McCaig's Folly, the open air platform on top of the hill behind Oban.”

The fare will be £30 return or £20 single. Children go half price and are available ONLY by telephoning ScotRail Telesales on 08457 55 00 33. Seating will be on a first come first served basis. No other ticket offers or discount card can be used in conjunction with this ticket.

If you wish to stay overnight in Oban you can check online availability in the Oban and Argyll area with Scotland's For Me

Photo Credit FreeFoto

Jack Nicklaus's Greatest Open Course

Well done to STV - Scottish Television!

On the occasion of the 150th Open Championship, back at St Andrews, the home of golf and scene of two of his many triumphs, Jack Nicklaus, still the world's greatest ever golfer, picks his all-time greatest Open Championship course exclusively for STV.

If you missed it you can see it on the STV Player. Have a look now and see what you think of Nicklaus' picks.

New Golf Pass for Ayrshire Golfing Visitors

The day before the Scottish Open, a week before The Open at St Andrews and a couple of weeks before the Seniors Open; today saw the launch of The Gailes Golf Experience.

Three Ayrshire courses - Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes Links (right) and Dundonald Links - have joined together to create this unique golf pass with great value for the visiting golfer. Golfers to Ayrshire can play three of the finest links championship courses in Ayrshire for just £180.

For further information on Gailes Golf Experience call 01294 311649 or visit www.gailesgolfexperience.co.uk for details on how to book.

You can get information on all three of these great Scottish West Coast links golf courses - including maps, scorecards and clubhouse information at www.scotlandswestcoastgolflinks.com you can also check availability and book online accommodation for around twenty Ayrshire properties

The Gailes Golf Experience - New For Ayrshire

The Gailes Golf Experience was launched today, the 7th of July 2010.

Three Ayrshire courses - Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes Links and Dundonald Links - have joined together to create this unique golf pass with great value for the visiting golfer. Golfers to Ayrshire can play three of the finest links championship courses in Ayrshire for just £180.


For further information on Gailes Golf Experience call 01294 311649 or visit www.gailesgolfexperience.co.uk for details on how to book.

You can get information on all three of these great Scottish West Coast links golf courses - including maps, scorecards and clubhouse information at www.scotlandswestcoastgolflinks.com