AN IRVINE hotel chain has scooped two prestigious awards at the Scottish Golf Tourism Week.

SimpsInns who landed two of the three prestigious hotel awards at the glittering gala awards evening at Trump Turnberry where a who’s who of the industry came together in a celebration of Scottish Golf.

The family-owned Ayrshire hotel and restaurant business won its first award when the Old Loans Inn was named Best Small Hotel (20 bedrooms or under). Moments later The Gailes Hotel in Irvine was announced Best Hotel (with 21-50 rooms).

The two Ayrshire venues were in great company for the third award in the hotel category went to none other than 2014 Ryder Cup venue, Gleneagles, who won the Best Large Hotel award.

It was the second staging of Scottish Golf Tourism Week after last year’s inaugural event at the Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews and last week’s gathering in Ayrshire was even bigger and better.

More than 80 Scottish golf businesses were present with over 70 of the world’s top golf tour operators representing 37 different countries. Early in the week familiarisation trips were laid on all over Scotland and throughout Ayrshire before everyone came together at Turnberry.

In a two-day process of golf’s equivalent of speed-dating, over 3,500 Business to Business (B2B) meetings were held between Scottish suppliers like SimpsInns and tour operators from around the world, driving overseas business to Scotland and Ayrshire.

The week concluded with the black tie gala dinner and Scottish Golf Tourism Awards with renowned Scottish television presenter and golf commentator Dougie Donnelly overseeing proceedings to a packed audience of over 350 guests with singing sensation Sandi Thom providing the entertainment.

“It was an astonishing night all round. We couldn’t believe it,” said Malcolm Simpson, owner of SimpsInns.

“We had no idea. To have one of our hotels win an award was fantastic, but to quickly follow up with a second was simply wonderful news and especially when shortlisted alongside such great venues across Scotland.”

“I am delighted for our team for they are ones who make the difference. To George and his team at the Old Loans and David and everyone at The Gailes, these awards are for them for it is they who make our customers feel so welcome and ensure all our guests have an enjoyable experience.

“Congratulations also to Gleneagles, who have such a strong international reputation and are one of the standard bearers. For a small, family owned Ayrshire business like ours to be recognised alongside the likes of Gleneagles is a wonderful achievement for us.”

It proved to be a great night for Ayrshire in general with further awards going to Dundonald Links, venue for the 2017 Scottish Men’s’ and Ladies’ Opens, and to the host venue Trump Turnberry in the Best Golf Course categories.