Dundonald Links to host Scottish Open

• Dundonald Links given nod to stage national open
• Becomes tenth different course to host event
• “We’ll be more than ready” vows general manager

Just as we revealed in January, the Scottish Open is to take place at Dundonald Links for the first time in 2017.

The Ayrshire course, owned by former Scottish Open host venue Loch Lomond Golf Club, will become the tenth different course to stage Scotland’s national open since it became a fixture on the European Tour in 1972.

It will take over from Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness, which will host the event for a fourth time this summer. This confirms news that we broke on this website three months ago.

We told you first! “Scottish Open ‘likely’ to go to Dundonald” – January 13, 2016

It also provides the Scottish Open with a home in the west of Scotland – following previous events at Royal Aberdeen (2013) in the north-east and Gullane (2015) in the east – and puts paid to widespread rumours that the event would be staged at Trump International Golf Links Scotland in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

American Rickie Fowler, below, is the defending champion after his victory at Gullane last year.

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“We are delighted to announce that the Scottish Open will be staged at Dundonald Links in 2017,” said Keith Pelley, the chief executive of the European Tour. “Following this year’s tournament at Castle Stuart in the north, this will ensure that Scotland’s national Open is showcased as widely as possible across the country.

“I know all our members will look forward to the challenge the course will present to them next July.”

Dundonald Links was widely tipped to get the nod to stage the event after successfully hosting the Ladies’ Scottish Open last year. Since then, it has been pushing on with plans for a new permanent clubhouse on-site, which it expects to open before the end of the year, whilst alterations to the golf course to prepare it for the arrival of some of the world’s best players next year and also in the pipeline.

“We’ll be more than ready by the time the Scottish Open comes around” – Bill Donald, general manager, Dundonald Links

Bill Donald, general manager of Loch Lomond Golf Club and Dundonald Links, said: “The course changes will enhance what was already a fantastic spectator experience, with natural amphitheatres surrounding many of the holes.”

“We’ll be more than ready by the time the Scottish Open comes around.”

Councillor Willie Gibson, the Leader of North Ayrshire Council, added that he was ‘delighted’ to be able to welcome the Scottish Open to the region in 2017.

“This part of Scotland is fortunate to have so many championship golf courses capable of staging top-class events,” he said. “The Council, through our ‘Team North Ayrshire’ approach, has worked with our partners to bring this prestigious event here, and we look forward to delivering a first-class tournament for everyone to enjoy.”

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The view from bunkered.co.uk 

“Continuing the trend of taking the Scottish Open around the country, this is the first time the tournament in its current guise has headed to Ayrshire. Whilst not retaining the visual beauty of venues such as Castle Stuart and Royal Aberdeen, Dundonald Links is no slouch as a golf course. It’s a superb test of golf that has hosted no end of notable tournaments in its short history. This is the first European Tour stop-off at the venue and I think players will love it.”

Bryce Ritchie, Editor

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Scottish Open goes to Dundonald Links – your thoughts?

What do you make of the news that the 2017 Scottish Open will be played at Dundonald Links? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor