
Dundonald becomes first UK golf venue to join illustrious sports and leisure network
The Ayrshire venue joins a star-studded network spanning six continents.
An Ayrshire-based golf course has become the first golf venue in the UK to join a prestigious network of sport and leisure clubs.
Dundonald Links has joined forces with the International Associate Clubs (IAC) network.
The IAC is a global collection of almost 250 well-known sport and leisure clubs.
The Ayrshire venue – home to a popular Kyle Phillips links course, an award-winning clubhouse and acclaimed accommodation – joins a star-studded network spanning six continents, including more than 40 other golf clubs.
The partnership means members of IAC's global network can enjoy exclusive reciprocal rates at Dundonald Links, making the venue an even more attractive prospect for many of the estimated four million international tourists that visit Scotland each year.
David-Ross Nicol, director of golf at Dundonald Links, said: 'Ayrshire is a must-visit for anyone who loves golf, and we believe that, by joining the International Associate Clubs network, we've given members of these fantastic clubs across the world one more reason to come and experience what we have to offer here at Dundonald Links.
'It's a pleasure to be part of such an illustrious group and a testament to how far our off-course facilities have come in the last six years.'
IAC was founded more than 35 years ago with the primary objective of facilitating reciprocal access for members of prestigious clubs on a global scale.
It has since grown to include clubs in upwards of 50 countries.
Alexander Klostermann, executive director at IAC, said: 'We are excited to have Dundonald Links join the IAC Network. With its excellent golf facilities, we find it will make a great addition to our network of over 200 clubs worldwide for our members to utilise.'
Dundonald Links' history stretches back to the early 20th century, but the venue was transformed when Phillips laid down the modern version of the course in 2002. Darwin Escapes purchased the club in 2019 and transformed it into an award-winning resort, complete with the modern clubhouse, Canny Crow restaurant, whisky room and accommodation.
The course boasts a stellar reputation as a key part of Ayrshire's world-renowned 'golf coast' and regularly hosts both the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open and final qualifying for the Open Championship.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'Public are sick to death of the migrant free-for-all', says Top Tory as he hails Mail's cash-for-visas investigation
The public are 'sick to death' of the immigration 'free-for-all', Robert Jenrick warned yesterday after the Mail revealed how crooked legal advisers run cash-for-visas scams. The Tory justice spokesman hailed our 'crucial' undercover investigation which exposed how companies are charging up to £22,000 per person to provide 'skilled' jobs in the UK for underqualified foreign workers. The Mail probe discovered a range of brazen tricks being used to dupe the Home Office into providing sponsorship licences which enable convenience stores, barbers, warehouses and bars across the country to bring in overseas labour on false pretences. It is so lucrative that many firms have been started up just to profit from hiring foreign staff and then exploit them for cheap labour. Immigration advisers working as fixers for the firms coach immigrants on how to lie to officials, overstating their levels of education and experience to secure the visa. Mr Jenrick said: 'This crucial Daily Mail investigation shows our immigration system is a free-for-all. 'Scammers are lining their pockets while the public have yet more low-skilled migration forced upon them. 'It's gone on for decades and the public are sick to death of it.' Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle launched an urgent investigation into our probe. She also immediately suspended the sponsorship licence of Leicester-based immigration advice firm Flyover International after the Mail revealed its managing partner tricks the Home Office into believing employers need a certificate of sponsorship to take on overseas workers. Joe Estibeiro told our undercover reporter that he worked with businesses in Bradford, Leicester, Northampton and Peterborough, but takes payment for his services only via third-party bank accounts to avoid a paper trail linking the firm to his scam. He makes it appear that employers can't find any British residents to fill 'skilled' jobs by first advertising the positions in the UK and only recording interviews with the worst candidates to use as evidence if the Home Office investigates. The overseas workers he recruits officially earn around £3,000 a month to meet the Government's minimum salary requirements for skilled worker visas. But Estibeiro described how after the money is paid into their account they have to withdraw all but £900 and secretly hand it back to their boss. More than 131,000 businesses are on the Home Office's list for licensed sponsors for the permits. including market traders, dog groomers – listed as 'canine beauticians' – curtain fitters and even scores of kebab shops. Critics warned the open duplicity could sink Sir Keir Starmer's immigration crackdown which made new restrictions on skilled worker visas a major part of his aim to end the economy's addiction to cheap overseas labour. Flyover International is owned by another man who is understood to be taking the matter seriously and investigating, and says Estibeiro was not officially hired to work for the UK end of the business. Estibeiro denied involvement in any 'illegal or unethical' activity and said he was 'solely involved in student recruitment'. A Home Office source claimed that when Mr Jenrick was immigration minister, he failed to clamp down on the criminal gangs fuelling illegal immigration. The source added: 'If he needs reminding what the Labour Government has done to tackle this, we've introduced a new law to prevent suspected crooks like the one found by the brilliant journalism in the Daily Mail – so the Immigration Advice Authority will get new powers to immediately suspend registered advisers and organisations.'


The Courier
4 hours ago
- The Courier
Carnoustie Golf Links snaps up popular town centre restaurant
Carnoustie Golf Links has bought a popular town centre restaurant in a move it hopes will restore the venue as a favourite with locals and visitors. Links bosses have confirmed the purchase of the former Maxibell tapas bar at 5 Park Avenue. It sits just off the High Street and close to the legendary Championship Course. The premises have been a busy spot since its original days as the Golf Inn. But the restaurant closed last year and was later offered at auction with a £150,000 starting price. Links management are now developing new plans for the restaurant. The move comes after major changes to the running of the Open Championship venue. A new company has been formed to run the courses and resort hotel. Carnoustie Golf Heritage and Hospitality Group Limited has promised huge investment to secure the return of the event to Angus. And the Links said it is 'excited' about a comeback for Maxibell's. A spokesperson said: 'This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the community and preserving valued local institutions. 'Maxibell's has long been a place of connection and joy for many. 'We felt it was important to safeguard its legacy, ensure its continued success and to contribute positively to the community. 'We believe that this is a special opportunity for us to support something that means a lot to people. 'We're excited about the positive impact this will have both now and into the future.' 'We are currently in the process of exploring renovation works, including carrying out necessary surveys to assess the building and its facilities. 'We are working through this as quickly as we can and our aim is to re-open and welcome guests as soon as possible.' CGHHG now operate the golf assets and Carnoustie Golf Hotel as a single entity. In January, Angus Council agreed the biggest ever change to the way the council-owned courses are run. The Links said a new deal was essential to secure the external investment needed for Carnoustie to retain its place on The Open rota. A £3 million spa upgrade at Carnoustie Golf Hotel was completed earlier this year. Links chief executive Michael Wells said the investment was a 'sign of things to come' from its new owners.

Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Building materials firm Lords Group buys rival CMO in rescue deal
London-listed firm Lords said it acquired the 'trade and assets' of CMO for around £1.8 million as part of a pre-pack administration. The deal will secure the future of around 120 workers at Plymouth-based CMO, who will join the wider Lords group. CMO, which was founded in 2008 as Construction Materials Online, sells more than 140,000 products to trade professionals and households through a raft of specialist superstore-branded company was listed on London's AIM junior stock market until February, when it delisted in order to help preserve funds. The firms highlighted that the deal will not include the Tiles business previously owned by CMO. Dean Murray, chief executive of CMO, said: 'The acquisition marks a new and exciting chapter for CMO. 'We have built a strong, digitally-led business over the past 15 years, and in Lords, we have found a partner that not only understands our model but shares our ambition. 'I am incredibly proud of what the CMO team has achieved and excited about what is next.' Shanker Patel, chief executive of Lords, said: 'We are delighted to welcome CMO into the Lords family. 'CMO brings a well-established digital platform, strong customer reach, and a specialist product-led approach that complements our own. 'This partnership allows us to blend traditional merchanting strengths with cutting-edge digital capabilities. 'We are also mindful of the impact of the pre-pack administration process on affected parties and are committed to conducting the transition with respect.'