2007-05-16 22:49:35 -

MACHRIHANISH, Scotland, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightside Leisure Development Limited, the developer of the new Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club in Machrihanish, Scotland is pleased to announce that Euan Grant, formerly Head Greenkeeper of the Old Course at St. Andrews, has joined Machrihanish Dunes as Keeper of the Green. In this role, Euan will work with David McLay Kidd and his team during construction and will be responsible for maintaining the new links course when it opens next year.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070516/NEW122 )

Machrihanish Dunes, set to open summer 2008, is the first

18-hole links golf course to be built on the West coast of Scotland in over a century and the first to be built on a Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSi) on Scotland's west coast in 100 years.

Euan Grant, distinguished in his field, brings considerable experience creating and maintaining the finest traditional links courses. As Head Greenkeeper at the Old Course at St. Andrews since 2004, he was responsible for the overall maintenance and upkeep of the world's most famous links including the preparation of the Old Course for all events including the famed 2005 British Open Championship.

"For years I've dreamt about creating a great new links course adjacent to 'Old Tom' Morris' layout at Machrihanish Golf Club and today, that dream is coming true," said Brian Keating, Founder, Brightside Leisure Development. "Central to my plan was to put the best team in the world in place to deliver the true potential at Machrihanish. Recruiting Euan, the world's leading Keeper of the Green to oversee its development, takes us one step closer. Euan's track record looking after the most important links course in the world is phenomenal and will help ensure that David McLay Kidd's vision of a truly extraordinary links course will happen. It will be a testament to the way golf began. We are honoured and proud to have Euan as part of the team at Machrihanish," he added.

Euan Grant makes no secret of the fact that he is thrilled to be part of a new chapter in links' golf history. "I fell in love with Machrihanish when I first saw it and I am thrilled to bring my experience to the development of a project that's so focused on preserving the traditions of the game," said Euan. He added, "It will be very exciting to work with David McLay Kidd and his team on such a fantastic and important project."

About Machrihanish Dunes

Brightside Leisure Development Limited is developing Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club (http://www.thewaygolfbegan.com/) and luxury accommodations in both Machrihanish and Campbeltown, Scotland. While the 259-acre site along the Atlantic Ocean featured 23 "natural" holes, Scottish golf architect David McLay Kidd (internationally acclaimed for his design of Bandon Dunes in Oregon and The Castle at St. Andrews) chose his 18 favorites. Measuring 7,300 yards the course features six greens and five tees at the water's edge and promises to be a true testament to "the way golf began". Together, with Machrihanish GC, Machrihanish will bring "Old Tom" together with "New Kidd".

Machrihanish Dunes is owned by Brightside Leisure Development, designed by David McLay Kidd, constructed by DMK Golf Design, operated by Southworth Europe.

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Source: Brightside Leisure Development Limited