Golf hero’s plan to transform ‘one of Scotland’s best public courses’ spark fury

AMBITIOUS plans to revamp one of Scotland’s top-rated public golf courses have been revealed.

Belleisle golf course in Ayrshire, which is owned and operated by South Ayrshire Council, has regularly been labelled as one of the finest municipal courses anywhere in Britain.

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Golf South Ayrshire, who manage the parkland facility on behalf of the local authority, have joined forces with Pangaea Golf Architecture and welcomed input from former top Scottish golfer Paul Lawrie, winner of The Open in 1999.

After making minor changes to the course in recent years, it is now set for a major transformation – but local opinion is split.

Belleisle opened in 1927 and its reputation as a highly-regarded layout goes back decades.

The course hosted qualifying for the European Open when it was held at Turnberry in 1978 and held prestigious tournaments of their own such as the prestigious Penfold Scottish Open and the PGA Seniors Championship.

Boasting impressive views of the Firth of Clyde and Isle of Arran, Belleisle was originally designed by the legendary Scottish golf architect and five-time Open Championship winner, James Braid, and has been described as “a masterpiece on relatively indistinct piece of ground” and “one of the best council courses you will ever play”.

Another course reviewer concluded: “Ayrshire arguably boasts the best set of municipal courses in the land and many consider Belleisle the jewel in that crown.”

The new masterplan, released today, proposes some dramatic changes to the facility, including the construction of a brand new practice academy complete with a driving range, teaching bays and a short game area. These new features will be built on the land where the first hole currently sits and are dependent on planning approval.

Other changes to the course include bunker renovation, new tee boxes and a new 18th green, which will be moved from its current location.

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Improved drainage and a new starter’s pavilion and pro shop are also part of the plans.

Work is scheduled to start in January next year, with the first phase of the development focusing on the bunkers, new tees and the construction of a new par three hole.

The creation of the new hole and the building of the practice complex means the course routing will be virtually unrecognisable from today.

The current 13th hole will become the new first hole (and change from a par four to a par five), and the current 12th the new second.

The new par three, which will have a yardage between 207 and 163 yards depending on the the teeing ground used, will slot in as the new third hole.

From there, the new fourth through 13th holes will be laid out over where the current second through 11th holes are, with a pond installed to in between the new 8th tee and 11th greens.

Phase two is slated to start between September 2025 and March 2026, which will see more work done to the bunkers and the teeing grounds as well as the bulk of the work on the trees within the course, plus the new 18th green.

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Work on the new practice facilities is slated to begin in December 2025.

Golf South Ayrshire explained that the reasons for the changes included the need to make the course more playable for the modern golfer and to reduce the amount of course maintenance that is currently required.

They also stressed that the new practice academy could be a game-changer.

A statement said: “Golf South Ayrshire is excited to be working with the talented team at Pangaea Golf Architecture, in association with Paul Lawrie, on our course renovations.

“Belleisle Golf Course has a rich history – opened in 1927 and designed by one of the world’s most influential architects, James Braid, Belleisle Golf Course once hosted prestigious competitions including the Penfold Scottish Open (1932) and the Swallow-Penfold Tournament (1963). The course hosted its final major professional tournament in 1967 when it staged the PGA Seniors Championship.

“As we embark on this new chapter, Stuart Rennie and Jeffrey Danner of Pangaea Golf Architecture have been tasked with creating a more strategic and enjoyable golfing experience for all our valued customers.

“They have set about designing a golf course which retains and enhances many of the risk and reward features once envisioned by the original architect, James Braid, whilst placing sustainability and the future in their approach.

“A full remodelling of the bunkers will now take place. This will include reintroducing the construction style intended by James Braid, while using modern materials to ensure they become more playable and consistent throughout the course, and reduce the need for regular and labour intensive rebuild programmes.

“Managing water is key to ensuring the fine turf remains in optimal condition, particularly at times when natural rainfall cannot be guaranteed. A new automated irrigation system will be installed, providing more attention to detail to greens, surrounds and tees, and in turn releasing Greenkeepers to undertake other tasks on the course.

“Many of the original clay field drains are still in place on the course. While most of these are still functioning, they are increasingly struggling to cope with the intense rain events experienced in recent years. Pangaea will be looking at better ways of managing the water throughout the course by utilising the new ponds created in 2023, and introducing additional wetland features, soakaways, and modern drainage methods. It is hoped that these rain events will result in fewer course closures.

“Whilst renovating the golf course is essential to retain the reputation of Belleisle Golf Course for decades to come, our thoughts must turn to developing the next generation of golfer who will enjoy this fantastic golf course.

“The current practice facilities are simply inadequate and do not provide a safe, year-round opportunity for our PGA Professionals to engage with young people and those looking to take up the game.

“Pangaea and Paul Lawrie have identified a suitable location, close to the existing off course facilities, which will be further developed, and a planning application will be submitted in the coming months to progress this further.”

Stuart Rennie, European Director for Pangaea, added: “It’s been an extremely busy period for Pangaea Golf Architecture which has seen us develop two separate golf course Improvement Masterplans for South Ayrshire Council at Ayr Belleisle and Troon Darley!

“We have council approval and today marked the first day of members engagement which is an imperative part of the process to deliver these exciting golf course projects to customer satisfaction and in association with Paul Lawrie, the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA).”

However, not all of the locals are in support of the plans.

Many believe the project amounts to “vandalism” of Braid’s original design.

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One disgruntled local said: “Stop the vandalism of Ayr Belleisle it’s a Braid course leave it as it is!”

Another member said: “Three years disruption to an already superb course which only requires (relatively) modest investment to bring it up to a very high standard, for example irrigation, signage on and between tees and one or two ladies and gents toilets around the course.

“Of course if the fundamental purpose was to create a practice area/driving range then I would have thought that consideration would have been given to creating that (and perhaps a nine-hole course/practice area) using another location, such as part of the existing Dalmilling course.”

A third commented: “Masterplan? Not a hope in hell!”

A fourth added: “Stupid idea and will make things worse.”

Another said: “This will make no positive difference to an already cracking golf course. Leave it alone.”

Others cited less-than-satisfactory renovations to the nearby courses Troon, particularly Darley, which are also under the council’s management.

“Let’s hope they do a better job than the company that done the work on the two Troon courses in Darley and Lochgreen,” said one.

“I hope you consider investing in Troon Darley which lacks proper paths between holes and would benefit from investment in the tees and fairways,” said another.

Golf South Ayrshire said a masterplan for Darley will be available to view “soon”.

However there were some positive comments.

One player said: “Having played both courses in the past I hope the improvements get the members support!”

Another said: “Keep up the great work.”

Drop-in sessions to view the plans are available to the public on the dates and times below:

• Tuesday, October 15 – 12pm until 3pm (with Golf South Ayrshire staff)
• Tuesday, October 22 – 10am until 3pm (with a representative from Pangaea Architecture)
• Tuesday, October 29 – 12pm until 3pm (with Golf South Ayrshire staff)

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