Dundonald Links to Host 2017 Scottish Open

Dundonald Links has hosted numerous tournaments including the 2015 Ladies Scottish Open

Dundonald Links, in North Ayrshire, Scotland, will host the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for the first time in 2017.

Last year's tournament was won by Rickie Fowler at Gullane.

Located near the town of Irvine, Dundonald Links – which is undergoing major renovation works – will follow on from Castle Stuart Golf Links, the host venue for the 34th edition of Scotland’s national Open from July 7-10, 2016.

The 7,100-yard, par 72 layout was designed by the highly-acclaimed golf course architect Kyle Phillips, whose creations also include Kingsbarns, one of the three venues for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and The Grove, which will host the British Masters supported by Sky Sports for the first time this year.

Since being acquired by Loch Lomond Golf Club in February 2003, Dundonald Links has played host to numerous professional and amateur tournaments, including the European Tour Qualifying School First Stage, a qualifier for the Senior Open Championship and, most recently, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, which returns to Dundonald Links this year.

After hosting the 2015 Ladies Scottish Open the club’s owners devised plans for a structural overhaul which included the construction of a new clubhouse, scheduled for completion at the end of 2016.

On the course several of the greens have been increased in size and three of the putting surfaces have been levelled in selected areas to soften their contours to provide organisers with more options when setting up for tournament play.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to announce that the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be staged at Dundonald Links in 2017. 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.

“We also extend our gratitude to everyone at Dundonald Links for the work they have done at the golf club, and the work that they continue to do. I know all our Members will look forward to the challenge the course will present to them next July.”

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, which manages the Scottish Government’s investment in the event, said: “Scotland is the Home of Golf, and as such is fortunate to have an abundance of world-class golfing venues the length and breadth of the country.

“I am delighted that Dundonald Links, one of the outstanding courses on the west coast, will host the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2017 and continue the commitment of rotating the event around the country.”

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.

“Crowds of ten thousand turned up for the Ladies Scottish Open last year, and we’re hoping for more of the same this year. Broadcasters around the world will be covering the final day of the tournament live, and I am sure that anyone who tunes in will be impressed with what they see.