The owner of a remote resort in Argyll has revealed that expansion plans to bring more golfers to "the end of the Earth" will cost upwards of £100 million over the course of the project. Tommy Southworth, who took over his family's golf development company five years ago from his father, said the addition of a second links course plus expanded accommodation and training facilities will turn Machrihanish Dunes into a destination akin to Bandon Dunes in the US state of Oregon, the rather unlikely home of some of the world's best golf courses. Boston-based Southworth announced last week that it has been granted planning permission for the expansion, with work on the new course expected to begin next year.
The company is currently in discussions with potential partners to provide capital and hospitality expertise, and hopes to make an announcement on this by March. Read more: Renowned Scottish dunes golf course set for major expansion Southworth has owned and operated Machrihanish Dunes since the course first opened in 2009 on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Designed by David McLay Kidd - the man responsible for the legendary courses at Bandon - Machrihanish Dunes has been dubbed "one of the most natural golf courses in the world" and was the first GEO-certified golf course in the UK.
Mr Southworth told The Herald that he remains convinced the site in Kintyre on Scotland's west coast is "incredibly unique" and will appeal to future generations of golfers both in th.