First Look at Spectacular New Trump Scotland Links
Designed and constructed to the highest specifications and standards, the new 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.
Bringing the vision to life is a world-class team of distinguished architects, engineers, environmental scientists and industry specialists commissioned to ensure the course works seamlessly within the landscape. Many of the team have worked together collectively on this site for the past 15 years and carry an exceptional wealth of experience and understanding of the special characteristics of the land.
Designed to complement the existing world-ranked championship links, the new course will form The Greatest 36 Holes in Golf.
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.”
Iconic golf legend, John Daly, said: “Trump Aberdeen’s new course it 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!”
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 an historic golfing destination.”
Protecting and enhancing the land’s natural features lies at the heart of the design and construction methodology. The course has been designed and built with the upmost respect for the unique environmental features of the site and its long-term maintenance and sustainability.
Utilising wetlands, ponds and water harvested from across the site, an innovative environmentally friendly freshwater and drainage system has been engineered to provide long-term sustainable irrigation for all 36-holes.
More than 1 million sprigs of native marram grass have been planted and 6 tons of marram seeds harvested across the new course. Over 10 hectares of natural vegetation has been successfully translocated allowing indigenous plant habitats to thrive and expand, with many new wildlife habitats emerging within the new wetlands and dune-slack areas.
The course is an exemplar for the successful translocation of indigenous grasses, vegetation and habitats resulting in two world-class links courses that blend effortlessly into the natural topographical features of the site and wider landscape.
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. 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 thirty 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 upmost 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 build’s 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.”
ARTICLE AND PICTURE CREDIT; TRUMP INTERNATIONAL SCOTLAND