Dumbarnie's reputation grows with US based magazine's top prize

The course has barely been open a year but, in those short months, it has gathered constant praise by those playing it.

Despite still being in its infancy, Dumbarnie was recently chosen to host this year’s Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open.

It’s clearly held in high regard already on these shores, and that reputation is set to spread further after the course was named as its development of the year by American-based Golf Inc magazine.

The publication’s judges handed the course the top spot due to its “world-class design and its focus on environmental stewardship”.

Dumbarnie general manager David Scott says the recognition has delighted everyone associated with the course.

“Everyone on team Dumbarnie is thrilled to learn of the news that we won such a prestigious award,” Scott said.

“The design that Clive Clark has created is great fun to play but also thought-provoking, with so many choices to make when playing around the links.

“All the team in the agronomy and clubhouse departments are local, so it’s great to have such a fine course on our doorstep that has created so many employment opportunities.”

Competition judge Jason Sloan, who has been involved in golf course construction since 2008, said Dumbarnie was a unique project which “ticked all the boxes” in terms of overall course experience.

Fellow judge Mike Nuzzo, who recently collaborated with Tom Doak on a redesign of Memorial Park ahead of the 2020 Houston Open, added: “By far the best routing of the entrants.

"The course zigzags through what looks almost like linksland, expertly creating variety and interest throughout the round.”

Dumbarnie was founded, designed and developed by Clark, 75, a former European Ryder Cup player and renowned course architect.

It occupies a 345-acre site along 1.5 miles of shoreline on the Balcarres Estate, nine miles south east of St Andrews in the East Neuk.