Donald Trump’s course is nearly done
18th November, 2011 by Colin Victor
Work on Donald Trump’s controversial golf course in Aberdeen is nearly complete.
The new course, built on a three-mile stretch of delicate sand dunes at Menie Estate, Aberdeen, and called “the greatest golf course in the world” by Mr Trump, will officially open next summer. The only work remaining on the course is for five million individual hand-sown Marram grass sprigs to be planted this winter.
Trump International Golf Links, which the billionaire intends to spend £750 million on, consists of ten par-4, four par-3 and four par-5 holes. Already more than 1,000 golfers from all over the world have signed up to play it next summer, even though green fees cost up to £200 each.
Donald Trump received a significant amount of criticism when he announced his plans to build the course in 2007. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the RSPB and several local people – some of whom were moved against their wishes to make way for the development – expressed outrage at the course, with a spokesman for RSPB Scotland stating: “The development will cause the destruction of a dune system, with its precious wildlife, on a site which is protected by law and should continue to be available for future generations to enjoy.” An Aberdeenshire councillor who voted against it was later sacked by his council, and the Scottish government overruled the decision anyway.
With already more than £50 million spent on the golf course, it is set to be heralded as one of the best in the world however. The Scotsman newspaper, for example, believes it will quickly become one of the top 20 golf courses in the world.