UK'S BEST AMATEURS DESCEND ON DUNDONALD LINKS

The UK's finest amateur golfers are preparing to tee off for a chance to win the country’s biggest amateur competition, the Trilby Tour.

Ayrshire venue Dundonald Links, which this year hosted the FREED GROUP Women’s Scottish Open presented by Trust Golf and Final Qualifying for the Open Championship, will stage the grand final to bring the curtain down on a thrilling season on Monday September 25.

In the competition’s second season under new operator Darwin Escapes, golfers from across the country fought in a trio of regional events to qualify for the grand final. The Championship of Ayrshire, also held at Dundonald Links in June, was followed by the Championship of Yorkshire at Kilnwick Percy Golf Club and the Championship of Oxfordshire at the Springs Resort & Golf Club.

Each event saw the top five golfers from each category – Women’s, Men’s division one and Men’s division two – earn their place in a dramatic showdown in Scotland. Last year’s winner Andrew Corssen is also in the field to defend his crown.

Dundonald Links is an award-winning resort and staple of Ayrshire’s golf coast, with a championship course designed by esteemed architect Kyle Phillips.

Earlier this year, golf stars like Michael Block, Robert Rock and Jason Kokrak took on Dundonald Links in a last-ditch effort to qualify for the 151st Open Championship. While all three ultimately fell short, Block was full of praise for what he called “a perfect venue” and was one of many golfers to stay in one of the resort’s luxury lodges.

Many players will be staying onsite at the venue, with rooms and a collection of luxury lodges just beside the clubhouse. Meanwhile, spectators are sure to be found in the Canny Crow restaurant, which overlooks the first tee box and crucial 18th green. The adjacent whisky room houses an enviable collection of whiskies from around the world, with expert-led tasting sessions available.

The original Trilby Tour was launched in 2007 and has been given a new lease of life since being purchased by Darwin Escapes in 2021. The new-look tour returned last year, featuring men and women competing together for the first time in the competition's history.

Thanks to a partnership with broadcaster Live Sport Now, the Trilby Tour Grand Final – like all qualifying events – will be available to watch for free via Facebook and YouTube.

To learn more about the competition and find out how you can play in the 2023 tournament, visit www.trilbytour.co.uk.