Behind Councillor Grant are (left to right) Seamus McNicholl and Craig Beck from contractors T&A Kernoghan. Behind Councillor Dorans are (left to right) golf starter, Kevin Johnston and architect, Stewart Glendinning. Seated in the golf buggy are Council project team officers John McCallum and Val Orrell.
Golfers at Ayr’s Belleisle Park golf courses will soon be teeing up in style thanks to a fantastic new £1.5 million clubhouse funded by South Ayrshire Council.
The championship course of Belleisle, designed by James Braid in 1927, is one of the most popular – and highly regarded – golf courses in Scotland, viewed by many as the best public inland course in the country.
The introduction of a new clubhouse – which should be available for use for the 2015 golfing season – will ensure the standard of off-course facilities at Belleisle matches the superb quality of the course itself.
The clubhouse will include:
- Modern changing accommodation
- A new golf professional shop
- A large modern cafe bar
- New starter facilities
- Club rooms
- Lounge area
- Golf simulator room.
The clubhouse will be available to golfers playing Belleisle as well as its ‘sister’ course, Seafield, which is also within Belleisle Park Estate.
It will transform the golfing experience for locals and visitors alike, as well as local golf clubs, and will also mark the introduction of golf buggies for hire – the first time such a service will be offered at the Belleisle golf courses.
Councillor Bill Grant, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure, said: “Golf is a big part of life here in South Ayrshire and we’re very proud of our eight fantastic courses, including Belleisle, which is a real jewel in our golfing crown.
“The start of works on the new Belleisle clubhouse marks significant commitment and investment by the Council in our off-course facilities and will ensure our golfers will benefit from the modern, first-class facilities they deserve. It will also play a key part in the ongoing regeneration of Belleisle Park.
“The Belleisle clubhouse is the start of a wider investment programme in our off-course facilities, which will see around a further £1.5 million invested in Troon clubhouse to bring it up to a quality standard and £169,000 investment to improve the clubhouse at Girvan.
“That’s a significant funding package and will ensure we offer an outstanding all-round golfing experience for the golfing community and I hope it encourages those who may not have tried our courses before to come and see what we have to offer.”