The detailed designs for the second golf course went on public display to the public from 12pm to 8pm yesterday, as part of the next stage of the planning process. The course already has outline planning permission as granted by Scottish Minister in 2008.
Members of the development team, including golf course architect, Dr Martin Hawtree, and environmental consultant, James Miller of Ironside Farrar, were available at the exhibition to answer questions about the course layout and provide further information on the detailed designs.
Talking about the designs for second golf course, named The MacLeod Course, Dr Hawtree, stated: This will be a golf course for all, ranging in difficulty and challenge depending on which of the four or five tee positions is selected, spanning a range of lengths up to 7400 yards. Fairways will be generous in width but tighter where the longer player will be challenged with bunkers, dunes and rough. The rough will be a particular feature of the course, changing in character through the course from wild meadows in the arable parts of the site, through wetlands in the central areas, to marram roughs in the southern dunes, and heathland vegetation in the areas immediately to the back of the sand dunes.
The layout of the course is based on classical principles of design – out with nine holes and back with nine holes. Classical theory of layout is about the interplay of risk – reward. And like the first course, great care has been taken over the sequencing of holes. The holes move subtly through the site revealing every aspect of the site’s topography and landscape, moving from sheltered green sites upwards to dramatic tees with spectacular views of the dunes and coastline.
Environmental consultant, James Miller, Technical Director, Ironside Farrar, stated: “This is not a site of special scientific interest and there are no significant environmental constraints relating to the second golf course. The course layout has been finessed to maximise local biodiversity which will improve local flora and breeding birds.”
Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President, Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, said: “Yet again Hawtree has devised an ingenious layout for another extraordinary 18-hole course. The MacLeod Course has been designed to complement the championship course and offers an equally challenging test of golf and will be enjoyable for all levels of golfer.”
The detailed application for The MacLeod Course will be submitted to Aberdeenshire Council next month.
Trump International Golf Links, Scotland www.trumpgolfscotland.com