Donald J. Trump has awarded the multi-million pound golf course construction contract at Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire, to SOL Golf Course Construction Limited of County Cork, established in 1998 and now one of the leading golf course construction firms in the UK and Ireland
Growing from an Irish based operation to include projects across the British Isles, SOL has worked on many of the world’s best golf courses and is currently working on various Open Championship courses on behalf of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews including Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Muirfield and Royal Birkdale.
Following an extensive tendering process, Donald J. Trump, president and chief executive of The Trump Organisation, stepped in to negotiate the final deal and select his preferred contractor and stated: “SOL’s experience of championship links courses is unequalled and their workmanship is second-to-none. They will do an outstanding job.”
Specialising in the construction of new courses and the modification of existing golf courses, SOL has built some of the finest courses in the world.
Managing director, Michael O’Leary said: “We have worked on over 40 world-class links courses across Ireland and Britain, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a world leading course on terrain such as this. The land is incredible and the course design is flawless – we are thrilled to have secured the contract to build Donald Trump’s course. It would be wonderful to one day see a young rising star, such as Rory Mcllory, win an Open Championship at Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.”
From fairways and bunkers to tees and greens, SOL is now responsible for developing all aspects of the championship links course, and will work alongside Dr Martin Hawtree, golf course architect for Trump International, Scotland.
Hawtree has worked on a number of award-winning projects with SOL including Portmarnock Golf Course, Lahinch Golf Course and Dooks Golf Course. In response to their appointment, Dr Hawtree said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with SOL on this site. SOL has done great work with us in the past on some of the best known courses in Ireland and Britain. Their huge experience of working on links sites makes them very suitable partners on what is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and stimulating golfing projects for very many years.”
SOL recently completed the golf course at Lough Erne Golf Club in Ireland, where Sir Nick Faldo described their work: “The course is going really well – just look around at the quality of work by SOL Construction Group.”
SOL is also currently creating a short games practice facility at Rory Mcllroy’s private residence in Belfast. Links courses worked on by SOL include:
- Hesketh Golf Club, Southport, Lancashire
- Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Mersyside
- Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire
- Muirfield Golf Club, Edinburgh
- Ballybunion Golf Club, Ballybunion, Co Kerry
- Baltray Golf Club, Drogheda, Co Louth
- Bundoran Golf Club, Dundoran, Co Donegal
- Ceann Sibeal Golf Club, Dingle, Co Kerry
- Doonbeg Golf Club, Doonbeg, Co Clare
- Dooks Golf Club, Dooks, Glenbeigh, Co Kerry
- Enniscrone Golf Club, Enniscrone, Co Sligo
- Galway Golf Club, Blackrock, Salthill, Co Galway
- Kilkee Golf Club, Kilkee, Co Clare
- Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch, Co Clare
- Malahide Golf Club, Co Dublin
- Narin Golf Club, Co Donegal
- Portmarnock Golf Club, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
- Portmarnock Links Golf Course, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
- Rosapenna Golf Resort, Downings, Co Donegal
- Royal Dublin Golf Club, Dollymount, Dublin
- Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co Antrim
- St Anne’s Golf Club, Dollymount, Dublin
- The Island Golf Club, Donabate, Co Dublin
- Tralee Golf Club, Ardfert, Co Kerry
SOL is also currently tendering for projects in Poland, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Trump International – Scotland www.trumpgolfscotland.com
SOL Golf Course Construction Ltd www.solgolfconst.com