AN AYRSHIRE tourism chief has urged businesses in the are a to think about how they can make the most of golf tourism as the area gets set to host one of the biggest tournaments in the calendar.

Dundonald Links will host the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open from July 28-31 – giving some of the best players on the LPGA Tour the chance to hone their links skills ahead of the AIG Women’s Open the following week.

It’s the fourth time the venue has hosted the event, while it was also home to the men’s Scottish Open in 2017.

VisitScotland regional director Gordon Smith said: “The countdown is firmly on for Scotland’s summer of golf which gets under way in a matter of weeks.

“Golf tournaments provide the perfect stage to showcase Scotland’s first-class golf regions and courses to the world and Ayrshire is going to host one of the key golf events this year.

“When you add the Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2016 and two AIG Women’s Opens, Ayrshire has hosted on average at least one major golf event every year since 2015.

“The economic value of golf tourism to Ayrshire is more than £17 million and supports over 400 jobs.”

The men’s British Open is due to return to Ayrshire in two years’ time, with Royal Troon set to host the 2024 event.

“Golf tourists thinking of booking future trips will be keen to explore what the region has to offer, whatever their budget,” Mr Smith continued.

“You don’t have to be a golf-related business to benefit and we’re encouraging all tourism operators to think how they can appeal to the influx of visitors whenever major tournaments are staged in this country.

“Whilst watching players compete, these spectators are also making valuable contributions to the surrounding local economies - staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, visiting attractions and gift shopping for loved ones.

“Dundonald Castle and Visitor Centre, Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock, Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine and exploring the many miles of Ayrshire coastline are just some of the things spectators, event organisers, sponsors and media could enjoy during the build-up and the event week.

“Golf is one of Scotland’s major selling points to visitors, with no other country able to match our history or heritage in the game.

“VisitScotland invests more than £3 million annually to support golf events and market Scotland as the Home of Golf.”

Scotland is getting itself ready for an unprecedented run of golfing events over the next few weeks and Ayrshire will be playing a key role.

Dundonald Links will play host to The Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open between the 28 - 31 July.

VisitScotland’s Regional Director, Gordon Smith, has discussed the opportunities for Ayrshire as host of one of the events this summer.

Gordon said, “The countdown is firmly on for Scotland’s summer of golf which gets underway in a matter of weeks. Golf tournaments provide the perfect stage to showcase Scotland’s first-class golf regions and courses to the world and Ayrshire is going to host one of the key golf events this year.

“The Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open will be staged at Dundonald Links 28-31 July. It is the 4th time the venue has staged the event, in addition to hosting the men’s Scottish Open in 2017. When you add the Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2016 and two AIG Women’s Opens, Ayrshire has hosted on average at least one major golf event every year since 2015.

“The economic value of golf tourism to Ayrshire is more than £17 million and supports over 400 jobs. Golf tourists thinking of booking future trips will be keen to explore what the region has to offer, whatever their budget.

“You don’t have to be a golf-related business to benefit and we’re encouraging all tourism operators to think how they can appeal to the influx of visitors whenever major tournaments are staged in this country. Whilst watching players compete, these spectators are also making valuable contributions to the surrounding local economies - staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, visiting attractions and gift shopping for loved ones.

“Dundonald Castle and Visitor Centre, Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock, Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine and exploring the many miles of Ayrshire coastline are just some of the things the spectators, event organisers, sponsors and media could enjoy during the build-up and the event week.

“Golf is one of Scotland’s major selling points to visitors, with no other country able to match our history or heritage in the game.

“VisitScotland invests more than £3 million annually to support golf events and market Scotland as the Home of Golf.”