Donald Trump’s new Scottish golf course to open next summer

Mr Trump and his son Eric broke ground last spring at the site, which is designed to accompany the existing world-ranked championship links at Trump International near Balmedie, north of Aberdeen.

The new 18-hole links course at Trump Scotland in Aberdeenshire has been designed to complement the acclaimed existing championship links course, which was opened by Donald Trump and Colin Montgomerie in 2012. 

Trump International, Scotland said that the course “is set to be one of the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable courses ever built” and will form, with the existing links course, “the greatest 36 holes in golf”.

Building on the original links masterplan led by renowned golf architect, Dr Martin Hawtree, an international team of architects, designers, professional golfers and industry captains have been engaged to help maximise the potential of the site.

The design and development of the new course has been overseen by Eric Trump and Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President of Trump International Scotland.

READ MORE: Scottish golf course owned by Donald Trump to become most expensive in the world

Designed and constructed “to the highest specifications and standards”, the new championship links course “weaves together three distinct topographical areas to form a one-of-a-kind modern links that features the largest sand dunes in Scotland, heather-clad heathlands and expansive wetland areas”. 

Specialising in the construction of new links courses and the modification of existing world-renowned courses across the UK and Europe, Golflink Evolve was appointed principal contractor for this project.

Releasing its first official pre-opening photographs of the new links, Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President of Trump International, Scotland, said: “Since breaking ground with President Trump and Eric Trump last spring, we have made extraordinary progress.  This course is unlike any other links course ever built and is exceeding every expectation.  There are very few great stretches of developable links land in the world as good as this.

“A truly remarkable, world-class team of architects, engineers, environmental scientists and industry specialists have been working tirelessly in the background – etching out every square inch of this phenomenal piece of land to create one of the great wonders in the world of golf.” 

Golf legend and two-time major winner John Daly said: “Trump Aberdeen’s new course is one of the most spectacular links courses you are ever going to find in the world. It’s beautiful. I had the opportunity to see it first hand this year and can’t wait to return and play it.”

The new course is designed to complement the existing world-ranked championship links (Image: Jacob Sjöman) Legends Tour ambassador and one of Europe’s best-known professional golfers, Paul McGinley, said: “I had the pleasure of viewing the new site at Trump during construction whilst playing the Staysure PGA Championship at Trump International in the summer. 

“I have no doubt that the addition of this new golf course will provide not just a great golfing exam but also an aesthetic one with views of the North Sea from most holes. 

“It is great to see such huge investment in the North East of Scotland to add to what already is a historic golfing destination.”

Trump International, Scotland added that the course has been designed and built “with the utmost respect for the unique environmental features of the site and its long-term maintenance and sustainability”.

Clare Barber, Principal Director, Fairhurst – Project Engineers, said: “Given the outstanding ecological and geomorphological setting of the site, our priority has been to provide engineering solutions which do not just meet the minimum standards, but enhance the natural landscape, with a particular focus on the water environment and biodiversity.

READ MORE: Trump ‘made £46 million’ from Scottish golf courses while president

“Working with academic experts in the field, we have achieved engineering and course morphology designs which not only respect but complement the existing landform, taking account of ongoing natural processes.  

“Bringing our experience gained from the construction of the existing course and working closely with the Client and project team, we have provided sustainable and robust engineering solutions to overcome the challenges faced with working in such an important environment. We are delighted with what has been achieved and the end result has exceeded all expectations.”

Principal golf contractor, Esie O’Mahoney, Golflink Evolve, said: “Over my 30 years’ experience in the industry, this is by far the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable golf project we have ever worked on. 

“This course has been built with the utmost respect for the environment.  We have harvested and sourced almost all of the materials from the land itself and developed an energy efficient and environmentally sustainable water system that supports both championship courses for the future. The client’s creative approach and standard of excellence has enabled us to bring the best of our industry experience to this project.  This is a very special project and one of the great highlights in my career.”

Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive Officer, Professional Golfers’ Association, said: “This could be one of the last great modern links to be built in Scotland. 

“Trump has already built and established one of the greatest modern links, in Aberdeenshire, and is set to deliver perhaps the most spectacular 36 holes in golf.  Every golf facility The Trump Organization builds is world class and this could be their finest hour.

“This course is an absolute gift to the game of golf, and I am pleased the course will be accessible and open to all.”

The news comes after The Herald reported in August that another Scottish golf course owned by Donald Trump is set to have the highest green fees on the planet from next year.

Turnberry, in South Ayrshire, was bought by the former US President in 2014.

In the year before the takeover by the Trump Organization a round on the Ailsa Course was £176 at any time. However, for non-residents the green fee will rise to £1000 before 1pm in 2025, and £545 after that time.

Trump Turnberry said the move came as an effort to protect tee times for its members and guests in its hotel.