The Scotsman – A Weekend at Mach Dunes

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This week, Scotland’s national newspaper, The Scotsman, published a wonderful article about The Village at Machrihanish Dunes. The author, Kirsty Mcluckie, spent a weekend at Machrihanish Dunes, enjoying the golf course and raving about the pubs and restaurants. One correction worth noting is that flights run twice daily and not just twice a week as the article errantly stated. Kirsty also mentioned the laid back yet elegant atmosphere at the various dining facilities, noting that they can equally serve a casual, post-game drink, as well as a more refined, locally-sourced dinner.

The article also spoke fondly of the accommodations, praising the rooms for their Scottish touch while maintaining a simplistic modernity with up to date electronics and luxurious bathrooms. The Village and surrounding area was remarked for its natural beauty, making the trip perfect for couples and families alike. This is another wonderful article about Machrihanish dunes, coming on the heels of its honors at this year’s Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

Click here to view the full article.

Scottish Golf Tourism – Machrihanish Dunes Wins “Best Hotel” and “Best Catering” Awards

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The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, was honoured to win not one but two coveted Scottish Golf Tourism Awards at Friday night’s 2015 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards held in St. Andrews.  These annual awards are voted on by the public and are designed to celebrate the hardest working, most accommodating and friendliest clubs in the sport’s home country. The awards are aimed at rewarding excellence in all aspects of golf tourism.

The Village at Machrihanish Dunes’ first award of the night came when The Ugadale Hotel won “Best Hotel” (21-50 Rooms).  According to SGT’s website, this award recognizes “great golfing traditions, a good links course, a golf-friendly staff and superior hotel facilities.”  The Ugadale Hotel is known as one of the finest hotels in all of Scotland and has earned four-stars from the Scottish Tourism Board, as well as annually receiving TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.  In 2012, The Ugadale Hotel was honored by the Scottish Hotel Awards as Scotland’s “Golf Hotel of the Year”.

Read full press release (click to view PDF).

GolfWorld – 72 Hours in Machrihanish

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In a land made famous by Paul McCartney’s 1977 ballad lie three courses that make for one of golf’s most soulful links pilgrimages. Chris Bertram heads north.

It would be misleading to suggest there isn’t a little bit of effort required for this long-weekend golf break. If you want your trips to be easy, it probably isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you want character, soul and a sense of adventure, be assured that you will be reliving ‘The Machrihanish Trip’ with your friends for years to come.

Keep reading about Chris’ magical 72 hours of golf and relaxation in Machrihanish [click to view PDF].

Faraway Fairways – Machrihanish Dunes

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Wild, raw, stunning. Just a few words used by Faraway Fairways to describe Machrihanish Dunes, a course they deem the closest in all of Scotland to how the game began. Even though it is a fairly young course, Machrihanish Dunes echoes the very origins of golf. The entire course was built around the landscape and, as a result, it’s constantly changing. Players must adapt to their surroundings as the first golfers would have done in order to tackle this challenging glimpse into the past.

Read why Faraway Fairways thinks this 2009 golf course is the closest you can get to 16th century Scottish golf.

Golf Escapes – A Scottish Classic

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Golfers have a plethora of golf courses to choose from and sometimes one seems as good as the other. But, if you seek a truly authentic golf experience, the choices diminish significantly. Where can you play golf in its purest form, the way it began?

Golf Escapes suggests you head to Scotland’s Machrihanish Dunes, a course that takes you back to the days of Old Tom Morris and tests your muster, making it a ‘must visit’ for golfers.

Find out what makes Machrihanish Dunes so unique and why you need to visit.

Machrihanish Dunes Earns GEO Recertification

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The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, cited as one of the ‘world’s most environmentally responsible’ golf courses announced today that the course has earned GEO (Golf Environmental Organization) recertification.  The David McLay Kidd-designed Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course was the first 18-hole course in the UK to receive GEO certification in 2010. The recertification process is based on the same comprehensive protocols as the initial certification, but also takes into account improvements made over time by applying specific criteria following recommendations provided at the previous independent on-site verification.

View Press Release [PDF]

The MET Golfer Traveler – The Black Sheep Open

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The Black Sheep Open at Scotland’s Machrihanish Dunes is for golfing insiders, not outsiders. Normally, the black sheep of the family is the one who makes dubious choices. Deciding to compete in the inaugural Black Sheep Open at the Village at Machrihanish Dunes (machrihanishdunes.com) in Scotland on August 29–30, however, seems like a surefire winner. Hebridean black sheep will make a ceremonious return to the David McLay Kidd-designed course for their seasonal lawn-mowing role; starting at £249, competitors get three days/two nights accommodations, a practice round, tournament play, prizes, dinner and Scottish breakfast, an awards luncheon, and more. You can adopt a black sheep for £35—no, you can’t take it home, but you do get a picture and bio of your quadruped plus a voucher for a free round of golf, where you can do a sheep meet-and-greet as he or she grooms the course. And please: Don’t eat any haggis in front of the animal.

[View PDF]