PEOPLE in Troon and the surrounding area are to benefit from legacy funding from proceeds of The 145th Open staged at Royal Troon last year.

The R&A has provided half of the £38,000 available to local community groups for an interactive funding decision day.

The ‘Participatory Budgeting’event, on Saturday, February 25 at Troon Walker Hall from 11am to 2pm, sees the Troon Locality Planning Group inviting people, aged 12+, from Troon, Muirhead, Barassie, Loans and Dundonald to get involved.

Some 36 community groups will be pitching to an audience of local people about their proposal and how it will benefit the community.

After all the pitches have been heard, the audience will vote to decide which groups should receive funding. 

Groups can be funded up to £3,000 for use in local projects - four times last year’s figure.

Anyone wishing to vote must register between 10am and 11am. 

For more information on general community grants call 01292 612626 or email Marion Young at Marion.Young@south-ayrshire.gov.uk. 

The money was made available from South Ayrshire Council, The R&A, Scottish Government, and The Big Lottery Fund.