GOLF MAGAZINE HONORS TURNBERRY AMONG TOP 100 COURSES In The WORLD
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Troon Golf,® the world leader in luxury golf management, development, and marketing, is pleased to announce the venerable Ailsa Course at The Westin Turnberry Resort, in Ayrshire, Scotland is now ranked No. 17 in the world, up one step from the magazine’s last polling in 2001.
… The timelessness of golf allows us to compare courses from different eras, and classic layouts are the gold standard in GOLF MAGAZINE’S Top 100 Courses in the World … the most celebrated designs are throwbacks which evoke windswept scenes like those at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and Turnberry, write the editors in their introduction to the 2003 rankings. Time-honored rather than frozen in time, courses such as Turnberry continue to dominate as golf has evolved in a new century.
“As Troon Golf continues to develop in international markets, we hold Turnberry in special regard as the heralded golf course that launched our global expansion,” notes Troon Golf Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dana Garmany. “We congratulate our Troon Golf associates for such recognition from one of the golf industry’s foremost publications, and appreciate their commitment in providing the TROON GOLF EXPERIENCEsm to our guests in such a classic setting.”
Built in 1906 along the Firth of Clyde and located 55 minutes south of Glasgow, the 211-room five-star Westin Turnberry Resort joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and entrusted Troon Golf with the golf operations in 1998.
Golf at Turnberry evolved through staggered but steady growth between changes in ownership and military activity throughout World Wars I and II. The present version of the Ailsa Course opened in 1951,the result of Mackenzie Ross’ incredulous undertaking to rebuild the former course that served as a military airbase during WWII.
As a Troon Golf property, Turnberry’s original grandeur and enduring grace is only illuminated. The most pronounced improvements in 50 years have been the construction of the new Kintyre course, the establishment of the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy, and Westin’s addition of 9 cottages and 12 lodges set across from the clubhouse below the hotel.
The Ailsa took its place in the British Open rotation in 1977, proving its worthiness against Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson in one of the greatest Open championships ever staged. The Open returned to Turnberry in 1986 and 1994, and this year hosted the Senior British Open.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf manages operations at more than 140 clubs located in 26 states and 11 countries. Additionally, 28 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include Troon North Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.; The Crosby National Golf Club, San Diego, Calif.; The Sagamore Club, Indianapolis, Ind.; The Ridge at Castle Pines North, Castle Rock, Colo.; One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico; and The Grove, London, England.