Dundonald Links (pictured) has been shortlisted in three categories – more than any other venue in the west of Scotland – at this year’s Scottish Golf Tourism Awards, including ‘Best Course (£100 – £250)’, ‘Best Premium Hotel’ and ‘Best Clubhouse’.
Finalists for the awards, which celebrate the best the home of golf has to offer, were revealed on January 17 ahead of the annual Scottish Golf Tourism Week from March 16-22.
The announcement means that Dundonald Links will have the chance to win ‘Best Clubhouse’ for the second year in a row. Dundonald’s modern clubhouse – which opened in November 2021 – has fast become one of Ayrshire’s hottest dining spots thanks to The Canny Crow restaurant and adjacent whisky room. The resort’s well-stocked pro shop, changing rooms and state-of-the-art gym facilities can be found on the ground floor, just a stone’s throw away from the first tee and 18th green.
An eight-person judging panel, comprised of experts from a wide range of fields across golf and tourism, considered each clubhouse’s aesthetic appeal and sustainable qualities as well as the calibre of amenities and dining options inside.
Meanwhile, extensive investment in recent years is now seeing Dundonald Links make an impact in the ‘Best Premium Hotel’ category thanks to luxurious accommodation that opened in 2021. Guests can choose from a range of two, four and six-bedroom lodges, complete with full self-catering facilities and putting greens directly outside. Alternatively, the site boasts 22 hotel-style, one-bedroom lodge pods, each of which include a spacious outdoor terrace.
Recognised in the £100 – £250 green fee bracket is Kyle Phillips’ par-72 links course, which has been one of Ayrshire’s most popular layouts for more than 20 years. Renowned as a firm challenge and for its year-round playability, the course has been entrusted with hosting a long list of prestigious tournaments over the last decade, most recently including the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open in 2022 and the FREED Group Women’s Scottish Open in 2023.
In addition, Final Qualifying for The Open Championship was held at Dundonald Links in 2023 and will return to the venue annually until 2026.
The Scottish Golf Tourism Awards winners will be announced a ceremony at the five-star Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre on March 21, with Dundonald one of just three venues shortlisted in more than two categories.
Ashley Pheasant, head of golf at Darwin Escapes which own Dundonald Links, said: “We’re thrilled to be among the finalists in three categories at this year’s Scottish Golf Tourism Awards, which is only made possible by the investment over the last five years to bring every part of the resort up to a world-class standard.
“Being the home of golf, the standard in Scotland is unbelievably high and our inclusion on these shortlists is testament to the hard work done by every department of our team, as well as the brilliance of Kyle Phillips.”
Last year, the Ayrshire resort cemented itself as a contender to be reckoned with at the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards, winning top honours in the ‘Best Sustainability Project’ category as well as for its clubhouse.