Plans to make alterations to two holes at an Ayrshire golf course that has hosted some of the world's best players have been given the green light. 

Trump Turnberry had sought planning permission to relocate the existing seventh hole at the Ailsa Course - venue for four Open Championships - and to reinstate the tees for the eighth hole to the right of the proposed new seventh hole.

The works will involve the lifting and salvage of existing amenity turf, currently in place over each hole, and the translocation of the existing fixed dune grassland currently situated where the new seventh hole is to be relocated.

Minor works will also be carried out where small sections of similar fixed dune grassland will be translocated to accommodate the position of the proposed eighth back tees. 

Planners at South Ayrshire Council have given their approval for the works, which they say are consistent with the surrounding landscape. 

Approximately 55,000 rounds of golf are played annually at Trump Turnberry, of which more than half - around 31,500 - are played on the Ailsa Course, which hosted the Open in 1977, 1986, 1994 and 2009.

Probably the most memorable of the four Opens held on the course was the 1977 'Duel in the Sun', in which Tom Watson edged out Jack Nicklaus by a single stroke in what is regarded by many golf fans as one of the finest tournaments played in the second half of the 20th century.

The course has also played host to the Women's British Open, the Walker Cup, the Amateur Championship and the Senior Open Championship.

Trump Turnberry says that the proposed development will "serve to bolster the reputation of Trump Turnberry and South Ayrshire as a major golf destination".

Planning documents state: "The works are located within an existing developed golf course and the proposed works are considered to be consistent with the existing course landscape and the wider coastal area.

"The works are within the grounds of an existing landscaped golf course, are of a similar design to the existing course landscape, will enhance the course and not involve any new buildings."