THE new owner of Dundonald Links has unveiled plans for major investment in the Scottish championship golf course’s clubhouse and the creation of an indoor golf-performance centre.

Holiday park operator Darwin Escapes has pledged the investment after buying the Ayrshire course, which has hosted the Scottish Open, from Loch Lomond Golf Club for £4.5 million.

Darwin Escapes noted that it was, with the deal, acquiring its first resort in Scotland.

The company’s existing golf portfolio includes The Springs in Oxfordshire and The KP Club in Yorkshire.

Darwin Escapes said it envisaged creating jobs on the back of the planned investment in the clubhouse at Dundonald Links.

It noted it had recently made a multi-million-pound investment to upgrade the clubhouse facilities and course at The Springs, adding that it had “similarly ambitious plans to transform the clubhouse at Dundonald Links”.

Darwin Escapes highlighted its plans to “create a state-of-the-art facility with high quality leisure and dining options and a market-leading indoor golf performance centre” at Dundonald Links.

The 18-hole links course was designed by California-based Kyle Phillips.

Lindsey Esse, managing director of Darwin Escapes, said: “We plan to make a significant investment to ensure that the clubhouse facilities are worthy of this wonderful course.

“We are delighted to have acquired our first resort in Scotland and for it to be the prestigious Dundonald Links, which is much loved by golfers around the world.”

Dundonald Links hosted the Scottish Open in 2017. And it hosted the Ladies Scottish Open in 2015 and 2016. Darwin Escapes noted it was currently investing more than £1m at its Talacre Beach Resort in North Wales, including upgrading the clubhouse and accommodation.