Donald Trump building a course in Scotland?

[Langlands]

Story on BBC site

From the BBC news website today:

Property tycoon Donald Trump is understood to be in talks over the creation of a major leisure development in Scotland.

The American billionaire is keen to expand his business into Europe.

It is thought discussions are taking place between Mr Trump's aides and officials at Aberdeenshire Council.

Mr Trump's mother was born in the Western Isles and he has already expressed an interest in developing a links golf course in Scotland.

The 59-year-old already owns four golf courses in the United States and his golfing advisers have reportedly visited Scotland.

During a meeting with First Minister Jack McConnell at Trump Towers in New York in October last year, he said: "It's possible we will go to Scotland and do something."

Ashley Cooper, managing partner of Trump Golf Properties, confirmed they were looking at a new project in Europe and that they were expecting to make an announcement in the next month.

"We are looking at a project in Europe right now," he told The Press and Journal newspaper.

"However, we are under negotiations and cannot give out any specific details whatsoever.

"Full details will be given if and when negotiations close."

He added that they were looking to make an announcement in four to five weeks, but that releasing details before then might "damage" current discussions.

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman remained tight-lipped, saying the council could not discuss individual proposals, but would "certainly give consideration to any plans lodged by Mr Trump".

Mr Trump's current golf courses include Briarcliff Manor in New York.

In the US his celebrity status has been elevated following the success of his reality television show, The Apprentice, and its "you're fired" catchphrase.

During his North American tour last year the first minster said Mr Trump was clearly very committed to his Scottish roots and that he had accepted an invitation to visit Scotland in 2006.

"We had a very interesting discussion about some options he has for investments in Europe that he would like to fulfil in Scotland," Mr McConnell said at the time.

"He knows that we are ambitious and want to be recognised internationally."

[GolfDrillGuru]

I'd have to say, that if Trump made a links style course in Scotland comparable to Trump National, it would be a pretty cool track.

[hoganboy]

Getting more top quality courses in Scotland is OK with me. One i think we'd need to visit drpurpell

[HCEG1]

And it opens today! Surrounded in controversy, of course..............


[size=4][b] [size=6] Golfers urged to boycott controversial holes as Donald Trump opens course[/size][/b][/size]


[size=5][color=#333333]Published on [b]Tuesday 10 July 2012 00:01[/b][/color][/size]

[size=5][color=#333333]DONALD Trump was yesterday branded a “bullyboy billionaire” who has turned one of Scotland’s most environmentally important stretches of coastline into an “alien landscape” as he flew into Aberdeen for the grand opening of the “world’s greatest golf course”. [/color][/size]

[size=5][color=#333333][url="http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/scotland/golfers-urged-to-boycott-controversial-holes-as-donald-trump-opens-course-1-2401409"]http://www.scotsman....ourse-1-2401409[/url][/color][/size]

[Thrillhouse]

Huh, wonder how this is gonna pan out.

[MadGolfer76]

"Reconnecting with Scottish roots...," or "Validating the design brand by forcing his way into Scotland?"

From what I have read, the locals caved when they saw cash, and allowed him to butcher protected land to achieve that nightmare. He also pushed out some residents.

Typical.

[run0036]

Beautiful looking course with great potential based on what I saw from his golf channel show a few years ago.

[HCEG1]

Unfortunately, money still talks-though of course it wasn't actually the Don's $$$, his brand still manages to suck in plenty of investors....

On the upside, the course is amazing. Stunningly beautiful, challenging and already looks like it's been there for decades.

I would be astonished if it doesn't hold a major event in the near future, and at some stage, I can even see the Open being played there

In Trump's favour, go back 6 or 7 years ago and, apart from a handful of dog-walkers and bird-watchers, nobody even went within a mile of this area, nor particularly cared about it.

The benefits in terms of job creation and economic benefit to the area are also plain to see

[spitfisher]

Is this really news, my guess is there are a dozen places in scotland alone that trump is looking at to develop either officially or in talks with.

[Oldboy]

the pictures alone .. wow .. made me a little wet

and yeah it does look like it's been there forever .. well done

[Sean25rp]

Course looks unbelievable. I was very tempted to book one of the first tee times but had to restrain as I'm finishing my studies and money will be tight soon!

[richf]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1341894088' post='5247660']
"Reconnecting with Scottish roots...," or "Validating the design brand by forcing his way into Scotland?"

From what I have read, the locals caved when they saw cash, and allowed him to butcher protected land to achieve that nightmare. He also pushed out some residents.

Typical.
[/quote]

Er no. Living in Aberdeen, I have yet to meet anyone that can tell me what was of special scientific interest about the area. Played the course and it is truly spectacular. Very natural and looks like it has been there forever.

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='richf' timestamp='1345540594' post='5508244']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1341894088' post='5247660']
"Reconnecting with Scottish roots...," or "Validating the design brand by forcing his way into Scotland?"

From what I have read, the locals caved when they saw cash, and allowed him to butcher protected land to achieve that nightmare. He also pushed out some residents.

Typical.
[/quote]

Er no. Living in Aberdeen, I have yet to meet anyone that can tell me what was of special scientific interest about the area. Played the course and it is truly spectacular. Very natural and looks like it has been there forever.
[/quote]

A little late on the reply. How many people have you actually talked to?

[url="http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/27/sport/golf/golf-trump-scotland-wind/index.html"]http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/27/sport/golf/golf-trump-scotland-wind/index.html[/url]


Clearly it is of interest to some groups, even if "protected" was the wrong word.

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='richf' timestamp='1345540594' post='5508244']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1341894088' post='5247660']
"Reconnecting with Scottish roots...," or "Validating the design brand by forcing his way into Scotland?"

From what I have read, the locals caved when they saw cash, and allowed him to butcher protected land to achieve that nightmare. He also pushed out some residents.

Typical.
[/quote]

Er no. Living in Aberdeen, I have yet to meet anyone that can tell me what was of special scientific interest about the area. Played the course and it is truly spectacular. Very natural and looks like it has been there forever.
[/quote]

Worth the cash then?