I’ve just read about a few new projects underway in Scotland, and I’m not sure the country needs, nor can they support, three new courses.
The one, a second Trump course just north of Aberdeen. His first course “the best in the world” will be joined by a second on the southern end of his dune-property. Will it also be “the best in the world”? Trump recently threatened to stop the project if off-shore wind generators were built, apparently he’s won another battle and the windmills won’t happen.
Trump International’s 14th hole, Scotland
The second course, designed by Darren Clarke, is in Carnoustie. His “Angus Course” will be a part of a new resort, managed by Wyndham. I’m not sure they need another course and another resort, only Americans will stay in the resort, and Americans will not play a new course, when they travel that far it’s to play the classic Carnastie Course. Carnoustie is a superb course, and you’d have to make the new one ten times as good to get players.
The third course, a luxurious Australian course, is to built on the island of Jura. I can’t imagine how it will be supported (or built). Askernish, a new Old Tom Morris Course has recently opened in the islands, and they certainly have no rush for t-times. Loch Lomond is the last luxury course built in Scotland, and even with a PGA event and tons of US cash, it was taken over by the Bank. It’s a tough time to build new courses, especially in Scotland (or Toronto) where the old courses are so friggin good!
nothing is better than Scotland on a summer’s day
