Befitting his reputation for creating only the best of the best, Donald J. Trump is teaming up with famed British golf course architect Dr. Martin Hawtree on plans for world-class golf links on the sand dunes of north east Scotland.
Trump International Golf Links, Scotland will comprise two championship golf courses, a five-star hotel with associated facilities, a state-of-the-art golf academy and a turf grass research centre. The development will also include a mixed use residential element.
The courses will be Martin Hawtree Signature Designs. Hawtree, of Woodstock, England, is the longest continuous golf course architectural practice in the world. Set among towering dunes beside the North Sea, construction on Trump International Golf Links, Scotland is scheduled to begin in 2008, subject to planning permission.
Hawtree, regularly consulted by the R&A on some of the Open Championship links, is regarded as the leading authority of links golf and, because of this coupled with Mr Trump’s passion for building a true world class British links course in north east Scotland, Hawtree has been appointed as the lead architect on this development. He is world-renowned for his work at Royal Birkdale, Portmarnock, Lahinch and Carnoustie, to name but a few.
“Martin Hawtree brings a distinct vision and flair to every course he touches,” Trump said. “His work is impeccable. He and I share such a passion for links golf and the tradition of the game is evident in the golf courses he designs. This is ideal for Trump International Golf Links, Scotland. This piece of land is so special and my relationship with Scotland is so special that I wanted to work with the world’s best links course architect to deliver Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.”
A keen and highly regarded Colt specialist, Hawtree will continue the work he consulted on at Trump International Golf Links, Scotland alongside Tom Fazio II, nephew of the legendary American golf course architect Tom Fazio.
Fazio’s original routing plan on the 1,400-acre stretch of stunning sand dunes at Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire, is to remain largely intact but will be developed, moving forward by Hawtree and his team of architects. Fazio will continue his work on the Trump properties in the United States, focusing on his masterpiece currently under construction at Bedminster, New Jersey.
Hawtree said, “I am intrigued by balance in the composition of a golf hole, trying to ensure that the wider landscape surrounding a hole, in the case of this project towering dunes, is fully balanced by great playing interest within the fairway and green; that the one does not dwarf the other and that the interest is in some way generated by and in complete harmony with the surroundings.”
A third-generation golf course architect, Hawtree has continued a family legacy that began in 1912. The Hawtree list of courses built, reconstructed and/or consulted on totals more than 750, with partnerships and collaborations with historic golfing greats J.H. Taylor and James Braid. Martin Hawtree joined his father in 1972 and became a partner in 1976. The firm moved to Woodstock in 1980 and has now expanded into one of the largest golf architectural practices in Europe.
Donald J Trump’s passion for Scotland stems from his pride in his Scottish roots. His mother, Mary MacLeod, grew up on the Island of Lewis in Stornoway, where her first language was Gaelic, before moving to New York City at age 20. His decision to build the Trump International Golf Links, Scotland is the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
Hawtree www.hawtree.co.uk
Trump Golf Scotland www.trumpgolfscotland.com