At a major press conference and reception today, at the famous Ayrshire hotel, Donald J. Trump out outlined his plans and vision for the Turnberry Hotel and golf courses.
Mr Trump outlined a number of potential course developments to assembled press and guests at the hotel today, including significant alteration to the tenth and eleventh holes of the Ailsa course. He also alluded to further possible changes, particularly at the world famous ninth hole where one possibility is the reworking of the hole as a par three.
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| The present 10th tee |
Mr Trump also outlined his vision of developing the iconic lighthouse buildings as the halfway house on the Ailsa course to replace the present, somewhat utilitarian building, as well as working with government agencies to preserve the remains of Turnberry castle and heighten the profile of the historic site.
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| The ninth tee |
The complete redevelopment of the Kintyre course is also envisaged along with the complete refurbishment of the world famous hotel building, in a project investment by Mr Trump of over £100 million.
Golf course architect Martin Ebert has been tasked, on the recommendation of R & A CEO Peter Dawson, with development of the proposed changes to the courses at Turnberry, having previously worked on changes to the course prior to the last Open Championship held there in 2009 as well as carrying out work on other Open Championship venues including Royal St Georges, Royal Lytham & St Annes and Royal Troon.
The changes to the tenth and eleventh holes, which are the first course alterations planned, subject to the approval of all relevant bodies, Ebert envisages the lengthening of the tenth hole with the championship tee moving back and to the left, almost to the lighthouse, to create a 260 yard carry to the fairway whilst the green will be moved back and to the left of its present position to be closer to the shoreline.
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| Turnberry 1964 |
A longer term, possibility, and one which will no doubt prompt discussion in many quarters, is the possibility, alluded to by Mr Trump in his presentation, of the par-4 ninth becoming a new par-3 with the green sitting amongst the rocks below the lighthouse.
Both Ebert and Mr Trump stressed that many of these ideas were suggestions only at this stage and that any changes would respect the wishes of the R&A and be sensitive to the requirements of the Open Championship. On this subject, Ebert commented,
“We are keen to protect the history and heritage of the course but there are definitely opportunities. I’m very grateful to Mr. Trump for entrusting me with working on the golf course. It’s a great honour and responsibility.”
In addition to changes on the Ailsa course, the Kintyre Course is also set for major alteration with Mr Trump wanting to create a “brand new major course”.
Although Mr Trump considers this a good business investment it is clear when he talks about the courses, hotel and resort in general that the purchase of Turnberry means much, much more to him and he really appreciates the opportunity to own such an iconic golf venue.
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| Turnberry around the time of its opening in 1906 |
“I’m not doing this for my ego, I’m doing it because our brand is enormously successful and thank can surely only be a benefit." He also pointed out that there is nothing untoward with the name change, commenting that it was previously known as the Westin Turnberry Resort, under a former owner.
With the assembled press and guests present in the 1906 restaurant, overlooking the courses, and Ailsa Craig, Mr Trump also took the opportunity to announce the appointment of Mr Ralph Porciani as the new General Manager of Trump Turnberry, to replace Jordi Tarrida.
The impression from the presentation given by Mr Trump today is that Trump Turnberry is on the verge of another, perhaps the most, exciting chapter in the long and distinguished history of the world famous hotel and its golf courses since it was first established some 108 years ago.
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