Ground has been broken at a top Irvine golf course as work begins on a new luxury clubhouse and lodge accommodation.

With construction work now underway, Dundonald Links will re-open to golfers from May 1, 2021, with clubhouse and accommodation expected to be completed in early Autumn.

The new clubhouse will be created from natural materials, blending seamlessly with the rugged Scottish land- scape. The new two-storey building will be finished with local Whinstone, with a sloping dune grass roof, designed by NBDA Architects to be sympathetic to the surroundings and the environment.

World-class panoramic views await from its first-floor balconies, all the way to the Isle of Arran, whilst planting will include an array of pollen and nectar bearing plants that will contribute to the Irvine to Girvan Nectar Network, a project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Around £1million of improvements will also be made to the existing golf course, host of the 2017 European Tour Scottish Open, in order to enhance the playing experience, which will be led by the original course designer Kyle Phillips and his team.

The new clubhouse is part of a £25m luxury development delivered over two phases. Phase one will see eighteen 6, 4 and 2 bed lodges developed, with three private practice putting greens on their doorstep. In addition, there will be 22 private rooms situated beside the clubhouse for ease of access to the restaurant and clubhouse facilities. Phase two will see further expansion of the lodge accommodation, with permission to build a further 79 lodges.

Ashley Pheasant, Head of Golf at Darwin Escapes said “To see ground broken on the new clubhouse is very exciting, and is just the start of a major investment plan at Dundonald Links. The clubhouse is only one of a number of developments we have planned, in order to deliver a first class experience for our golfers and guests.”