Trump International Golf Links profile is posted ...

[Ran Morrissett]

... under Courses by Country and Architecture Timeline.

I expect to take three profiles live this week and they will all be of courses that I prefer to this week’s Open site.

In the case of nodding toward Trump International over Muirfield, the reasons are straightforward. They both have similarities in terms of revetted bunkers that are tactically placed and green complexes that are varied. No one will accuse either set of green complexes of being St. Andrews-esque and that’s fine - the challenge is nicely balanced from tee to green. The deciding element though is the land upon which they are built. A HUGE tick in the plus column goes to Trump International. Only nature can create the highs like those found at the 3rd, 6th and 14th holes. Muirfield’s ‘auld watery meadow’ is no match. Again, not talking about where you would rather have a long lunch - I am strictly talking golf holes. Thus, while Trump International doesn’t have a lick of tradition compared to the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, I still find a game there more rewarding/compelling. I play golf to get away and reconnect with nature - Trump International does that for me in spades.
 
Prior to heading to see Trump’s course, here is what I did: nothing. I heard all the kafuffle and background noise about permitting issues and this and that but so what? Once a project has a green light, all I want is the best for it. This won’t come as a surprise: I am a fan of golf and I think golf is good. Others have a different take; that’s fine by me - we each have our own perspective. Nonetheless, I wanted tabula rasa on the first tee. What I saw was impressive to the point of exhilaration. Congratulations to everyone involved, especially Trump for making it happen and John Bambury and team for shepherding the fescue grow-in during some unusually crummy patches of weather.

I have never spoken to or met Donald Trump but I understand that he is quite charming in person. His public persona is different (he is our version of Pat Mucci  ) and drives people to take sides. Not me. I am just glad Trump International was built. He is one of the few guys making good golf happen during this world economic malaise. I’ll be pulling for his Charlottesville project with Coore & Crenshaw to be a winner and so on.


Look at this Brian Morgan photograph. Taken from behind the third green, it captures the staggering beauty and variety of the place. What a great addition to the world of golf.

As an aside, I want to thank Chris Buie and Joe Andriole. None of these profiles come to life without their help. I am on the right, happy and smiling because I am in big dunes with a two club wind about (remember: the camera adds 8lbs and there are apparently four cameras on me  ). Joe is on the left (his son is in the middle) and the eighteenth hole is in the background. Obviously, we had a great weather day and that’s reflected in some of the 36 photos found in the profile.



As the Open unfolds this week, see what you think. Am I crazy for preferring Trump? I doubt it and I’ll be watching with an open mind. For sure, just as watching Phil Mickelson tack around Castle Stuart this past weekend was thrilling, I hope like heck one day to see the greats tackle Trump International.

Best,

[Paul_Turner]

Muirfield's greens fit into the surrounds much better than Trump's, see photo above, that green hasn't much in common with the surrounding land.

[Steve Lapper]

Muirfield's greens fit into the surrounds much better than Trump's, see photo above, that green hasn't much in common with the surrounding land.

Paul,

  Apples to Oranges.....the scale of the Menie dunes compared to those found at Muirfield dictate greens that can never look as if they've laid into the surrounds as naturally. That said, the greens do fit quite comfortably into those immense dunes without appearing awkward or superficially placed to the golfer .

Ran,

  Did you really have to ask Joe to stand in a hole to make you look taller???

[Paul_Turner]

Steve

He started it 

To my eye that 2nd green does look awkward, but I haven't seen it in person.  18th looks odd too. 

[Garland Bayley]

IMO

This shouldn't have happened:



and this shouldn't have happened:

[Steve Lapper]

GJ,

 DO TELL US WHY? Should those dunes have been preserved and never seen the play of golf upon them, or do you dislike the architecture (why again?), or do you just hate the owner? Please explain such a strong opinion.

Cheers!

[Paul_Turner]

Garland

That par 3 looks like a carbon copy of the 7th at Royal Birkdale.

[Bruce Katona]

Both look pretty good to me......just remember all, even the Old Course was a virgin linksland at some point in the past.

[Josh Tarble]

I thought it was a great tour...seemed free of spin or bias to me.  Definitely made me want to go play the course.

[Dan Kelly]

No matter how good this course is, it will always have a terrible name.

Or, at least, it will have a terrible name till its second owner takes over.

[Charlie_Bell]

If a course had to be built there, thank goodness it's a good one. 

Question:  Does the public still have access to the dunes without playing the course?  Can people walk along the beach and explore other parts of the Menie Estate dunes, or has the course effectively turned public land into private land?

[Paul_Turner]

"The most trite, misused expression in golf course architecture is ‘God intended this to be a golf course.’ Yet, it applies here!"

I can't see how this applies to Trump International.  Wasn't the virgin site spectacular but actually pretty poorly suited to golf, the dunes were just too big (unlike Muirfield).

[Tom_Doak]

Question:  Does the public still have access to the dunes without playing the course?  Can people walk along the beach and explore other parts of the Menie Estate dunes, or has the course effectively turned public land into private land?

Charlie:

Under the Scottish "right to roam," I believe the public is allowed to wander across virtually all private land, as long as they respect what others are doing on it (and don't get in the way of golf, on golf courses).  The same should apply for Trump International as it does for Muirfield.  Of course, some properties are easier to access from the outside than others.

[Tom_Doak]

Ran:

I started to read your review and was perplexed that your introduction talked about "the blend of fescues in the fairways."  I played Trump International perhaps three weeks after you did, and found fescue only in a couple of fairways, and ryegrass in the rest.  [Ryegrass is the dark green grass they're stripe-mowing in your photos ... it would be hard to get those stripes with fescue.]

The lack of links-type turf in the fairways was to me the single biggest drawback of the course.  You may disagree with whether that's an architectural critique, or not ... but you should not provide disinformation as to the nature of the turf.

[Mark Bourgeois]

I have not played the course nor prior to Ran's review had I read any reviews or threads or even looked at pictures. Well, I'm sure I saw a picture or two but I didn't pay attention.

From the pictures -- feel free to Mucci me -- several things stand out to me. First the odd greenness, which if Tom D is right (and why wouldn't he be?) and is down to a meadow grass presents a double demerit (odd color + a not-a-links grass). The contrast between green, relatively (note: relatively) flat checkerboard fairways and brown mountains is jarring. Second, the bunkering appears excessive in number, particularly on a site as spectacular as this. Third, it appears many holes simply play through valleys or cuts in the dunes, with no meaningful interaction; furthermore, the relatively smooth fairways stand starkly in contrast to the massive surrounds of the dunes. Dunes like that, how can there be no blindness?

It looks contrived, an Americanized version of a links. Disappointing.

[Michael Moore]

"The vistas obtained from the numerous elevated tees are largely derived from uphill green to tee walks. The goods news: the golfer is amply rewarded for such walks."

Ran -

Thanks for a typically thorough and great-looking essay. To me, the most controversial practice in modern design is the humping of the golfer uphill to the next tee. There were some profoundly interesting threads on this in the past with Jim Engh defending it.

How is the golfer rewarded for these walks? Is one's tee ball perhaps overexposed to the wind, as has been suggested elsewhere?
 

[Tom_Doak]

Ran -

Thanks for a typically thorough and great-looking essay. To me, the most controversial practice in modern design is the humping of the golfer uphill to the next tee. There were some profoundly interesting threads on this in the past with Jim Engh defending it.

How is the golfer rewarded for these walks? Is one's tee ball perhaps overexposed to the wind, as has been suggested elsewhere?
 

Michael:

For what it's worth, I thought that the tees were well done [apart from the rectangular shapes which I never like in nature].  There are many elevated tees, but sometimes it's the black tee, sometimes it's the blue, sometimes it's the white tee, sometimes even one of the forward tees.  So, you don't have to walk uphill every time, and you aren't always playing over a bunch of other tees, as some of the photos of the course have seemed to suggest.

[Connor Dougherty]

I wanted to bring up the environmental since it was brought up in the course profile as well as touch on the grass selection, which I will start with.

I'm amazed that Mr. Trump would use ryegrass for the golf course given his hopes that it may stage an Open Championship. From what I understand the "lack of links qualities" at Kingsbarns (as well as it's proximity to TOC) have kept it from hosting an Open, and I couldn't imagine them selecting a golf course with those kinds of grasses in the fairways.

Ran, given the ryegrass, would you still wish the Open was staged here? I know at the end of the profile you said you hope they put more fescue in to get F&F, but with their current grass blend, there's not a single Open course (let alone Muirfield) I would swap out an Open for.

On another note, given what I've heard about the construction (including the massive mound built to block Michael Forbes home from the golf course) minimalism is not a word I would use to describe the design process. That doesn't take away from the final product, but using the word minimalism in that profile (even though it's use does not implicitly reference Trump International) seems about as offensive as Pebble Beach using the words, "Golf Links" at the end of its name.

Getting people outside also builds up their appreciation of the environment. Be it visiting a magical golf course or a national park, people return home freshly reminded of nature’s glories and the importance of preserving it. Over the past two decades,  a  minimalist golf architecture movement has enabled the construction of golf courses in dunes with only nominal environmental impact.

For me, this is one of golf's most enduring qualities and a huge reason I got into minimalism. Environmental impact is going to play a huge role in the future of GCA and it's incredibly important that we both preserve it and take it into account as we proceed with the construction of golf courses. While your post mentions both the sprouting up of golf courses during the late 1800's and early 1900's in the area, they were blessed with a lack of knowledge as to the damage being done to the environment (I say blessed because low environmental standards and a lack of knowledge on the issue probably allowed many of today's great golf courses to be built).

Environmental groups often look at these sorts of things with a mindless thought as to the effects of golf courses on the environment, but it's because of projects like this one that environmentalists have the view of golf courses and golf architecture as an elitist, destructive process.

I will start by telling you a story about a golf course build in spectacular dunes on the wild Scottish coast. It was financed by a wealthy American and designed by a famous golf architect. The course is the only one in the UK to have been built wholly within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and, working with Scottish Natural Heritage, the designers have created a remarkable course, built by hand which enhances the wildlife of the site. Over the 259 acres of the course, a mere 7 were disturbed during the construction. The owners are investing in a local hotel in the nearby town and have been welcomed by the local community. The course is the first 18 hole golf course in the UK to receive certification by GEO, the Golf Environment Organisation who described it as the “world’s most natural golf course” and an “exemplar of sustainable golf course management, going beyond what is required to produce an excellent links golfing experience.”

Welcome to Machrihanish Dunes in Kintyre.

The author then goes on to explain exactly why the Trump course has not followed this approach.

Machrihanish Dunes needs to be the example for which golf courses are built in the future. With this kind of approach, we may not be able to build golf courses of the highest quality, but we will no doubt create a better image for the game, and it will be easier to explain to environmental groups like the ones fighting Sharp Park (as referenced in the Profile) that golf courses can negate their impact and indeed be environmental stewards for the future. Trump International sadly added to the stereotype, and it's foolish to think that environmental groups will ever soften their view on golf courses and golf course architecture when golf courses are built in this manner.

It looks contrived, an Americanized version of a links. Disappointing.

Some spots look like true links holes that really excite me. Others look incredibly contrived and I echo your thoughts for those instances.

I admit to being a little biased toward the project because I have not been a huge fan of Mr. Trumps. The same goes for Mr. Hawtree after his work at TOC. However, as I see more and more courses around the US this summer I find I'm much more ready to criticize even my favorite architects and am starting to get a better eye for what I do and don't like and separate my preconceived notions of a golf course from the actual product itself.

End of rant.

[Adam Lawrence]

Ran:

I started to read your review and was perplexed that your introduction talked about "the blend of fescues in the fairways."  I played Trump International perhaps three weeks after you did, and found fescue only in a couple of fairways, and ryegrass in the rest.  [Ryegrass is the dark green grass they're stripe-mowing in your photos ... it would be hard to get those stripes with fescue.]

The lack of links-type turf in the fairways was to me the single biggest drawback of the course.  You may disagree with whether that's an architectural critique, or not ... but you should not provide disinformation as to the nature of the turf.

Correct. I'm pretty sure the fairways were planted as fescue, but as I've mentioned a couple of times, there has been considerable overseeding with perennial rye to compensate for the lack of coverage. A function of opening too early, or a reflection of the owner's preference for lush and green? Who can tell, but it is a significant problem as things stand.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Conor - I agree entirely with you regards the Mach Dunes example and it is one issue I've had with the Trump development. But it was never going to be done any other way.

Tom - I agree the tees were quite well placed. Had a little to & fro with Sean on that very issue here: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,56097.25.html

Adam - When you were talking about overseeding with rye previously, I didn't realise it was widespread (it didn't appear to be when I played near opening). I thought it was only in small patches with the intent to kill off with rescue and overseed with fescue in the next couple of years. If it is widespread and the intent is to finally get back to fescue then there are going to be a few years of average conditioning as the change is gradually implemented. Does indeed seem a shame although certainly not a first. Can think of a few courses in Ireland where rye was dominant, Waterville & Enniscrone amongst them...

Ran - thanks for the review

[Sean_A]

There is no question the fairways are over-seeded with Rye.  That is why they are green (need watering) and very slow.  It was my impression that the goal is for fescue to eventually take over.  This is why I think it is far better to wait 3-5 years before playing Trump.  The links experience should then be on offer - something that is completely missing at the moment.  In other words, the conditions are poor - there is no other way call it.  

I too don't think the site is great for golf, it is great for views and there are plenty on offer.  I didn't think there needed to be nearly the many raised tees as there are.  I would have preferred if Hawtree chose his moments to wow the golfer.  As it is now, there is a lot of humping between tees and the climbing adds insult to injury.  Some can't be avoided because of the nature of the site, but I think given the site, an extra effort should have been made to reduce walking - I don't get the impression that was done.  The paths feeding from the rear of greens doesn't help either - they often take the golfer on the long way round.  I suspect eventually short cuts will appear, but I wouldn't be surprised if caddies are under instruction to follow paths - which to be fair are very nice.  

With the walking rant over, the only thing which bugged me about the design was how many greens were raised with the accompanying swales, thus making aerial golf THE way to play the course.  I spose thats modern golf, but it ain't better golf.  Trump is still a great course with a fine set of greens, but I believe given the budget and wow factor, this could have been a home run.  Trump falls far short of that.  I spose I disagree with Ran's take.

Ciao  

[Ally Mcintosh]

In some ways Sean, I think it was the budget that is the problem (if there is a problem)

With a much smaller budget, we'd have had a different golf course and one that may have suited the eye of many on here a little better.

[Thomas Dai]

This is a beautifully written piece with stunning photographs. Thank you Ran and to all others involved.

As to the facility itself, well I'm in the wish it hadn't been built camp, or rather, wish it had been built but using an environmental approach more akin to that adopted at Machrihanish Dunes. Laws and regulations should not be flouted, even if folk arrive from afar with suitcases full of gold. The phrase 'growing the game' is sometimes used on GCA. Developments undertaken in this manner surely do nothing to inspire the general publics love of golf or desire to take the game up, probably quite the opposite I suggest.

As such one particular phrase in the profile perturbs me, namely - 4th paragraph - "Happily, one man persisted and ultimately gained approval to build in the great dunes north of Aberdeen, Scotland.". I don't consider 'Happily' to be the best choice of word given the overall context of this development.

Furthermore, a sentence introducing the profile into the Discussion Board makes me uncomfortable, namely "I play golf to get away and reconnect with nature - Trump International does that for me in spades.". A rather insensitive choice of words perhaps, given the environmental protection legislation that was pushed under the carpet in the process of developing this facility.

That all said, the facility is there now and life goes on.

I hope all who play the course enjoy themselves and that those who work there have successful careers. I feel very sad however, for the local residents who have been treated appallingly, not just by the developer, but by certain elected politicians and by those in public service organisations who's salaries are funded from taxes extracted from the public's purses.

Aberdeen and the surrounding area. Great golfing region. Go there folk. The golf in NE Scotland is splendid, just splendid.

I always thoroughly enjoy Ran's profiles and look forward to reading and re-reading more of them.

All the best

[Sean_A]

In some ways Sean, I think it was the budget that is the problem (if there is a problem)

With a much smaller budget, we'd have had a different golf course and one that may have suited the eye of many on here a little better.

Ally

If Trump didn't throw around huge numbers, the course would never have been built. 

This project really does have me in two minds.  I have to give muy credito to Trump for pulling this off.  I wish he hadn't done it, but man could anybody else pull this off? 

Lets just hope Trump comes to his senses and removes the trees from the house on the bluff.  Very poor form. 

Ciao

[Nick Church]

My buddies trip made a two-day side trip up to Aberdeen to play Cruden, Trump, and Carnoustie on the way back to St. Andrews.

Two of my friends said they thoroughly enjoyed the Trump course.  Everyone noted the "slow" fairways, but having been cautioned ahead of time (& by staff/caddies the same day), it didn't seem to discount anyone's enjoyment.

Since returning, many of my friends have asked if I would return to Scotland again.  Of course.  And I would consider including Trump  again after a few years just to see the expected (debated?) maturation.