Sale agreed for Turnberry resort

Turnberry will host next year's Open Golf Championship

The owners of Turnberry have agreed to sell the famous hotel and golf resort for £55m.

It is expected that Leisurecorp will complete the purchase from Starwood Hotels and Resorts later this year.

Under the terms of the deal, the hotel at Turnberry will be redeveloped before the resort hosts the Open Golf Championship in 2009.

Turnberry has two 18-hole championship courses - the Ailsa course and the Kintyre course.

Leisurecorp and Starwood have signed a letter of intent for the sale which is expected to be completed by 31 October, 2008.

It will see Starwood continue to operate the five-star resort, with a 30-year plus management contract.

Alan Rogers, group chief executive of Leisurecorp, said: "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.

"We are looking forward to working with Starwood on finalising and announcing our future development plans for the resort over the coming months."