[Niall C]

Jon

With regards to the firmness of the fairways I can confirm that when I played at the tail end of last season it was like playing off a shag pile carpet that had been sanded except for the greens (obviously), the greens surrounds and approaches from about 100 yards in. I'm advised that those parts were seeded and the rest was turfed. If the course is the same or similar to when I played it then I can understand her comments.

Some very interesting comments in the article especially the canyon like feel of the place. The comment that threw me a bit was from Bill Campbell about it being one of the most scenic courses he's played which I find very strange. The two dune top tees aside, I thought most of the views were internal which didn't detract from the course at all for me. However in terms of scenic vistas it comes a poor second to the likes of Dornoch and half the coastal courses along the Moray coast, and that's just the north of Scotland.

The most interesting point made by travel industry insiders is the impact it's likely to have on where US tour groups are likely to be spending their money in Scotland. The american golfer isn't by any means the be all and end all of the visitor market but it plays a significant part. In terms of the west of Scotland, the amount of US visitors has already dropped off as it tends to do when the Open hasn't been played there in a few years.

Niall

 

[Adam Lawrence]

As of last year, I felt the problem with the fairways - which were clearly very young, and which in a few places had been overseeded with rye to get adequate coverage for a preset opening day - were exacerbated by the stark contrast between them and the large areas around greens that had been turfed. It was like walking straight off an average surface onto an Open Championship sward. You couldn't help but notice the difference.

[Ally Mcintosh]

They are all right though... It will take a few years for it to mature, for the grasses to blend in and for the conditioning to be tip-top.

But you'd expect that.

Don't really agree that the green to tee walks are very big (especially coming from an American commentator). There are a few but that came with the topography. The course is just considerably "bigger" than a lot of older courses.

Decent and balanced article.

[Michael Whitaker]

When I read the article I thought, "I've heard all this before''

Read my reply #260 on page 11 of this thread.

[Niall C]

Adam

It was indeed you that advised me that the greens, green surrounds and approaches were seeded and the rest turfed. Given the contrast, why didn't they seed the whole course ? I can understand that they might want to use turf to get immediate stability in terms of wind blow and what have you but if that was the case why not do the whole course that way ?

Ally

I didn't find the walks too strenous for a modern course either but then if you didn't have a caddy you might waste a bit of time trying to find the right tee on each hole.

Niall

[Adam Lawrence]

Adam

It was indeed you that advised me that the greens, green surrounds and approaches were seeded and the rest turfed. Given the contrast, why didn't they seed the whole course ? I can understand that they might want to use turf to get immediate stability in terms of wind blow and what have you but if that was the case why not do the whole course that way ?

Ally

I didn't find the walks too strenous for a modern course either but then if you didn't have a caddy you might waste a bit of time trying to find the right tee on each hole.

Niall

It was the other way round - the greens and surrounds were turfed, in some cases up to 50 yards or more short of the greens. A huge turf order. By contrast the seeded areas are very young.

[Niall C]

Adam,

Now you've got me confused. First time round I seem to recall assuming the greens etc were turfed and the rest seeded and you advising me otherwise. Am I going off my head ? Very possibly.

Niall

[Adam Lawrence]

All things are possible ;-)

[Brian_Ewen]

Our championship course is looking spectacular after some Scottish sunshine over the weekend!

[Dean Stokes]

Is that a links or a parkland? Please get rid of the mowing lines on a links course - very offensive!

[Brian_Ewen]

After receiving fantastic reviews from course raters in recent weeks, you can't blame them with holes like this!

[Brian_Ewen]

http://news.stv.tv/north/228326-donald-trump-has-arrived-to-promote-his-second-course-in-aberdeenshire/

Donald Trump arrives in Aberdeen ahead of second course launch
By Neil Drysdale    6 June 2013
Donald Trump breezed into Aberdeen with another barnstorming performance on Thursday morning as he prepared to unveil details of his second golf course at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.

The American billionaire spoke to the media at Aberdeen International Airport, where he distributed copies of The Robb Report's special section on the "Best of the Best" for 2013, which has adjudged his new golf development in Scotland to be the No 1 course in the world.

He reiterated his opposition to the "monstrosities" of wind farms, described Vattenfall's recent moves to pull back from the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre in Aberdeen Bay as a "brilliant business decision", and even added he was ready to build bridges with the First Minister Alex Salmond.

But, principally, Trump wanted to talk golf, as the prelude to going out and playing on his property at Balmedie.

He said: "The Robb Report is highly respected, so being voted No 1 is a great honour for Aberdeen and Scotland, and all the people who wanted to get it built.

"We have an amazing piece of land for our second course, and I would say that probably nothing can ever top the first one, because we built it on the largest dunes on the world.

"But I think the second one [named after his mother, Mary MacLeod] will be right up there. We are looking to do something that is going to be different, but truly special."

Trump insisted he was sticking to his guns about not constructing a hotel complex at the Menie Estate while the EOWDC proposal remains ongoing. But he was in bullish mood when asked about whether he believed his links course could attract high-profile events such as the Open and the Ryder Cup.

He added: "As soon as the wind farm is terminated, we are looking to build what I honestly believe will be one of the great hotels, not just in Scotland, but the whole world.

"We have a plan that is unbelievable, but we can't build it if the hotel is looking into an industrial turbine that spins, makes noise and throws off bad electricity.

"I think Scotland will get smart, because other countries have ditched these things, and we are ready to start work as soon as we get word that they are not building that ridiculous project.

"And I definitely believe a Ryder Cup bid is on the cards in the future. I can't pick a date, but we will have many majors here as well.

"The response to the course has been amazing, and that is terrific news, both for Scotland and golf lovers in Aberdeen."

[Ally Mcintosh]

How can that bullish approach make anyone angry?

All it does is make me smile... You have to admire the fella really...

[Paul Gray]

....industrial turbine that spins, makes noise and throws off bad electricity......

Takes one to know one I suppose. 

[Jon Wiggett]

Another well balanced, thoughtful and down to earth description by Mr Trump.


He said: "The Robb Report is highly respected, so being voted No 1 is a great honour for Aberdeen and Scotland, and all the people who wanted to get it built.

Aberdeen and Scotland is No 1 and now they are even winning at football Robb Report, never heard of it!!!

"We have an amazing piece of land for our second course, and I would say that probably nothing can ever top the first one, because we built it on the largest dunes on the world".

I really find it hard to believe there are no other dunes that are bigger. Could it be another case of over hyping? And what are the 'many other majors' he speaks of? Are we going to get the USPGA or even the US Open in Scotland

Jon

[Brian_Ewen]

I really find it hard to believe there are no other dunes that are bigger.

The land just to the north of the course, on the other side of the River Ythan is equally if not better than the land that Mr. Trump has.

[Niall C]

Brian

Don't encourage him. We've got few enough wild tracts of land with Donald reducing that number even further.

Jon

Ran's piece on Fraserburgh reminded me of the dunes there which look every bit as big as those at Balmedie International, the difference being that the Fraserburgh course doesn't have a tee on top of them 

Niall

[Ally Mcintosh]

Brian

Don't encourage him. We've got few enough wild tracts of land with Donald reducing that number even further.

Jon

Ran's piece on Fraserburgh reminded me of the dunes there which look every bit as big as those at Balmedie International, the difference being that the Fraserburgh course doesn't have a tee on top of them 

Niall

Niall, you're stretching it a bit comparing the Fraserburgh dunes to those at Balmedie Links.... You know you are....

Although I can think of one or two courses in Ireland that certainly have dunes that compare in size, I can't think of any in England or Scotland...

[Jon Wiggett]

Brian

Don't encourage him. We've got few enough wild tracts of land with Donald reducing that number even further.

Jon

Ran's piece on Fraserburgh reminded me of the dunes there which look every bit as big as those at Balmedie International, the difference being that the Fraserburgh course doesn't have a tee on top of them 

Niall

Niall, you're stretching it a bit comparing the Fraserburgh dunes to those at Balmedie Links.... You know you are....

Although I can think of one or two courses in Ireland that certainly have dunes that compare in size, I can't think of any in England or Scotland...

Ally,

Donald talked about biggest in the world which is stretching reality to the extreme even by his impressive standards.

Jon

[Brian_Ewen]

And what's so great about playing golf among large dunes anyway ?

Personally I find it claustrophobic.

[Michael Whitaker]

Jon - The Robb Report is a magazine for the extremely affluent. It proposes to showcase the "best" of luxury living. They have some nice things to say about Bandon, Cabot Links, and Streamsong in addition to Trump Scotland. Their article on Trump was rather tame in my view:
http://robbreport.com/paid-issue/best-best-2013-golf-courses-trump-international-golf-links-scotland

[Alister Matheson]

http://www.cybergolf.com/golf_news/crossing_scotland_day_5_blind_shots

Link above to a nice article !

[Ally Mcintosh]

Brian

Don't encourage him. We've got few enough wild tracts of land with Donald reducing that number even further.

Jon

Ran's piece on Fraserburgh reminded me of the dunes there which look every bit as big as those at Balmedie International, the difference being that the Fraserburgh course doesn't have a tee on top of them 

Niall

Niall, you're stretching it a bit comparing the Fraserburgh dunes to those at Balmedie Links.... You know you are....

Although I can think of one or two courses in Ireland that certainly have dunes that compare in size, I can't think of any in England or Scotland...

Ally,

Donald talked about biggest in the world which is stretching reality to the extreme even by his impressive standards.

Jon

Really? By my estimate they are (amongst) the biggest in the world... certainly with a golf course in them...

Why does everyone get so worked up by his self-publicising? More fool those that let it get to them....

[Patrick_Mucci]

Ally,

You've got it right

[Niall C]

Ally Mc

In truth I didn't know that Balmedies dunes were bigger than Fraserburgh's and would be interested to hear if you know that as a certifiable fact. I've no real stake either way but the ones at Fraserburgh looked quite impressive as did Balmedies. I recall some dunes along the beach from Bundoran in Donegal that were quite impressive, I think they were used by the army or something and I'm sure there are similar landscapes elsewhere when you go looking for them.

Mike

The Robb Report article does read a bit like a puff piece. Puzzled by the reference to the constant sea views. Sounds very much like a PR line they've been fed, or perhaps I'm just being overly cynical 

Niall

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