COUNCIL chiefs have re-iterated their commitment to help bring a major golf tournament to Irvine.

The Times told this month how the town’s Dundonald Links course missed out on the chance to host the 2015 and 2016 Scottish Open.

However bosses at North Ayrshire Council insist that they will continue to support a bid to bring the prestigious tournament to Irvine in 2017.

It was confirmed that the 2015 competition will be held at Gullane in East Lothian before returning to it’s spiritual home in Castle Stuart, near Inverness, the following year.

The council insist that it will continue to work with the Dundonald Links Golf Club to host the tournament in 2017 which would bring a massive tourism boost to the town and across North Ayrshire.

Councillor Alan Hill, Depute Leader of the Council, said: “It is an exciting prospect that the Scottish Open may be held here in North Ayrshire in a few years time. We saw the coverage from Royal Aberdeen recently and it showed the area off in a very good light.

“As well as the boost for golf fans seeing their favourites in action, a major sporting event such as this brings considerable prestige and economic benefits to an area.”