DCL to buy Turnberry golf resort
(AP)
22 May 2008
DUBAI — Dubai Company Leisurecorp plans to buy the Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, the venue for the 2009 British Open, for £55 million ($108 million / û69 million).
Leisurecorp said yesterday it signed a letter of intent to buy the course from Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc, and expects to complete the purchase by Oct. 31.
Starwood will continue to operate the five-star resort under a 30-year management contract.
Turnberry has two 18-hole championship courses — the Ailsa course, which has hosted the British Open three times and will hold next year’s championship, and the Kintyre course.
The resort, on the southwest coast of Scotland, also has the 9-hole Arran course and the Colin Montgomerie links academy.
The current Westin hotel also features lodges, cottages, a spa and conference facilities, all of which will be redeveloped in time for next year’s British Open.
“You only have to look out across Turnberry’s Ailsa Course towards the landmark lighthouse to know that the resort is one of the world’s greatest golf destinations,” Leisurecorp group chief executive officer Alan Rogers said.
“We are looking forward to working with Starwood on finalizing and announcing our future development plans for the resort over the coming months.”
Leisurecorp also owns the Jumeirah Golf Estates, home to the European Tour international headquarters and the Dubai world championship, and Pearl Valley golf estates, which is the home of the South African Open.
