Trump Plans Second Course at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland


Donald Trump has announced plans for a second course next to his new Trump International Golf Links in Scotland. The New York City developer opened the original course in July, and now wants to proceed with a neighboring layout on the former 1,400-acre Menie Estate on Aberdeenshire's northeast coast.

Like the first course, the as-yet unnamed second links will be designed by English architect Martin Hawtree. (For more about the project, see Tony Dear's article at: http://www.cybergolf.com/golf_news/trump_scotland_believe_the_hype.)

In a statement, Hawtree described the new course: "If there is one word which expresses the experience of players here as well as my own experience as an architect working here, it is 'privilege.' Now that privilege is to be extended further still for architect and player alike in the development of the planned second course.

"The second course will contrast boldly with its high-flying neighbor by exploring in relaxed manner the beauties of the land behind the dunes: the sea of heather-clad undulations, the several isolated small lochs, the network of burns, the higher ground behind this land that provides fine views of the whole links.

"Not to be outdone, the second course also rises up into the dunes at the southern end and nods in acquaintance to the 4th and 5th holes of the first course."

Trump has sought to proceed with plans for a hotel, homes and other resort amenities, but those elements remain on hold pending a decision by the Scottish government on a proposed wind farm off the nearby North Sea coast.

Trump has vigorously opposed the wind farm, which involves 11 200-foot-high wind turbines. "They are ugly, they are noisy and they are dangerous," he said in typical bombastic during an Edinburgh meeting in April 2012. "If Scotland does this, Scotland will be in serious trouble and will lose tourism to places like Ireland, and they are laughing at us."

The development of a second course comes just a few weeks after one of Trump's most vigorous opponents, David Milne, called for a full public inquiry into all official dealings between the billionaire and Scottish authorities. Milne is a nearby landowner who was threatened with eviction from his home to make way for the golf resort.