Machrihanish Dunes celebrates opening with 'Ultimate Golf Weekend'

The Ultimate Golf Weekend a chance to play four of Scotland s best courses, enjoy some of the most luxurious accommodation the country has to offer and to travel by transport so exclusive it s in a class of its own is on offer for FREE.

To celebrate the opening of Machrihanish Dunes, the first golf course to be built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the only true links course to open in the West of Scotland for more than 100 years, enthusiasts from around the world are being offered the chance of a lifetime.

Winners of a free prize draw will play The Carrick on the shores of Loch Lomond, the world famous Machrihanish Golf Course, Shishkine on Arran and be among the first to tee off at the opening ceremony of Machrihanish Dunes on May 2, 2009.

Machrihanish Dunes is a unique course and we want to mark its historic opening with something exceptional, said Brian Keating, the principal owner and developer of Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course.

The Ultimate Golf Weekend offers a chance to play four of the best courses in the world with the architects who built two of them. It s a once in a lifetime opportunity for any enthusiastic golfer.

The fantasy weekend starts on May 1, 2009 when the winners arrive at the five-star Cameron House Hotel, part of the De Vere Collection, on the banks of Loch Lomond.

First round of the weekend will be played on The Carrick, a beautiful new 7,200 yds course which uses every inch of the dramatic landscape in the majestic shadow of Ben Lomond.

Renowned designer Doug Carrick, considered Canada s best golf course architect, having produced six of Canada s top 10 courses over the last 18 years, including Greywolf, British Columbia; Angus Glen, Ontario; Eagles Nest, Ontario and Muskoka Bay, Ontario, will join the winners during their round.

Day two starts with a spectacular flight by seaplane from Loch Lomond to Kintyre for the official opening ceremony of Machrihanish Dunes where competition winners will be among the first to tee off on the new 7,235yds with acclaimed course architect David McLay Kidd.

One of the most exciting golf architects of this generation McLay Kidd has three links course in the top 100 with a track record which includes Bandon Dunes, Oregon; The Castle, St Andrews; Nanea, Hawai and Queenwood, Surrey.

Following lunch, a short trip on the Kintyre Express rib to the Isle of Arran, provides the opportunity to play Shiskine Golf Course. Opened in 1890 and designed by Willie Fern the 12 hole course of 2,996 yds is considered one of the west coast s wee gems .

After a luxury night in one of the new Golf Cottages at Machrihanish Dunes, the ideal golfing weekend concludes with a round of Old Tom Morris Machrihanish Golf Course, which boasts the legendary 1st hole across the Atlantic, followed by a return flight by seaplane to Cameron House.

Details of the competition can be found at www.theultimategolfweekend.com. The closing date for entries is 12noon on 9 March 2009 and the winner, which will be the first entry drawn at random on the 10 March 2009, will be notified in writing no later than Saturday 14 March 2009.