This week marks the first anniversary of Trump International Golf Links, Scotland. The championship golf course designed by esteemed links golf architect, Dr Martin Hawtree, officially opened on 10 July, 2012 and has attracted several international awards and top ratings in its first year.
Trump International has just been ranked the ‘Best Modern Course in Great Britain & Ireland’ by Golf Week and was awarded the coveted top position of the ‘Best of The Best’ by The Robb Report last month, in addition to a number of other ‘best’ ratings in recent weeks.
Since it opened last summer thousands of golfers have flocked from around the globe to experience Trump’s championship course in Aberdeenshire. This year alone, golfers have travelled from as far afield as Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and South African to Argentina, Canada, USA and countless European countries, including Finland, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Germany and many more.
Local hoteliers and neighbouring golf courses are boasting significant increases to visitor numbers as a result of the growing interest from overseas golfers. With the neighbouring clubs of Royal Aberdeen , Cruden Bay and Murcar just a few miles to the north and south, the North East of Scotland is fast becoming a must visit golfing destination . In response to demand, Mr Trump’s Scottish residence – MacLeod House – has also been restored and upgraded to provide the first luxury accommodation on site for golfers and visitors, and is now available for booking.
Colin Dalgleish, co-founding director of Perry Golf – a world leading tour operator, stated: “The creation of the spectacular Trump International Golf Links has been a massive boost to Aberdeen and to the North East of Scotland. The area is now correctly being recognized as an outstanding golf destination, supported as it is with great hotels and restaurants. We have already seen our own business to the area increase dramatically, and we can only see that trend continuing in the future.”
Executive vice president, Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, Sarah Malone, said: “We celebrate our first anniversary this week and are enjoying a fantastic year so far with bookings coming in from across the globe. Tour operator interest has rocketed and now contributes to more than 30% of our business compared to 10% of our bookings last year. Many golfers claim it’s the best golf experience of their life and are already booking tee-times for 2014.
“We are thrilled to have been voted the Best Modern Course in Great Britain & Ireland by Golf Week this past week, which follows a number of other prestigious awards and accolades from the golf and leisure industry. It has been a phenomenal first year for us and paves the way for the development of our second course.”
Leading Aberdeen businessman and hotelier, Mr Stewart Spence, stated: “We are 130% up on golf bookings compared to this time last year and are greatly benefiting from the Trump development. Guests are dining in restaurants all over Aberdeen – everyone has been getting a spin-off.”
Ronnie MacAskill, Secretary & Director of Golf, Royal Aberdeen stated: “We have seen a considerable increase in visitors to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, and there is no doubt it is down to having Trump next door. And it’s not just us, I am sure Murcar and CrudenBay are benefitting in the same way. Every business in the area will profit, it is certainly reflected in our balance sheet. Trump has delivered exactly what he set out to do – a sensational golf course with many visitors claiming it is one of the best they have ever played.”
Bob Collier, Chief Executive of the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our survey work regularly shows that over 90% of Chamber members support the Trump investment. Members in the hospitality sector, especially north of the city, regularly advise us that their business performance has been positively affected since the course opened, and local supply chains have also benefited. Some of the other first-class golf courses in the region report a positive impact on their business. Along with the success of securing the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen in 2014, we now have a real strength in depth to attract international competitions along with the associated economic impact, media-exposure and awareness building.”
Trump International Golf Links, Scotland www.trumpgolfscotland.com