Dubai company Leisurecorp plans to buy the Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, the venue for the 2009 British Open, for US$108 million. Leisurecorp said Wednesday it signed a letter of intent to buy the course from Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. The purchase is expected to be completed by the end of October 2009. 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, has been host to 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 rebuilt and 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. In addition to the Jumeirah Golf Estates the Dubai world championship, and Pearl Valley golf estates, are both home to the South African Open.
