A GROUP of golf-daft people from Irvine’s French Twin Town Voisins arrived in Irvine on Saturday, June 17 at noon and at 3pm that afternoon they were teeing off at Dundonald Links in glorious sunshine.

The eight day visit is a direct result of two of their number attending Marymass last year.

Last year, whilst in Irvine for Marymass, Philippe Dubreuil and his wife Marie-France visited Dundonald Links and spoke with the pro there about the prospect of the Voisins Golf Association having a week of golf in Scotland.

On returning home, they set up contact with Irvine man Andy Tremble who put together a varied and packed programme with loads of golf on a range of Scottish Courses.

Their visit included a match at Irvine Ravenspark on Sunday – France vs Scotland with Andy Tremble stepping in as a Frenchman for the day. Irvine won the game 3 - 1.

During the week, the group will also play Golf at St Andrew’s and Kilmarnock Barassie as well as spending a couple of days in Edinburgh, stopping off en route at Stirling before returning to Irvine.

Leader of the Voisins Golf Association Philippe Dubreuil said: “We are so happy to be having this visit.

Although we have good golf courses where we live including the venue for The Ryder Cup in 2018, it is every golfer’s dream to play in Scotland the home of golf.

“We are also pleased that we managed to bring some sunshine with us in our luggage!’

The group had time to join with members of Irvine Town Twinning Association on Sunday morning to meet with Provost Ian Clarkson.

Having visited Voisins and met with Philippe and Marie-France last year, it was a very friendly, relaxed gathering hosted by the Provost.

The Voisins Golf Association and Irvine Town Twinning are keen that a reciprocal visit by Irvine golfers – adults or juniors - could be arranged in the future as part of the strong Twinning link.