Trump (second from the right) cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the Trump International Golf Links.
(CNN) -- After seven years of planning and construction costing over $150 million, Donald Trump's dream to open a golf course in Scotland was finally realized on Tuesday.
The U.S.-based billionaire hit the ceremonial first tee shot at Trump International Golf Links, having weathered a storm of controversy involving environmentalists, local residents and politicians.
"It's been worth it," he told CNN during his rain and wind-swept round at the venue. "This is truly the greatest golf course anywhere in the world. Everybody knows it. Most people are saying it and most of the golf people are saying it, most importantly."
Trump welcomed guests from the European Tour and the Ryder Cup organizing committee, and told them: "There's really nothing like it."
Set on the east coast of Scotland, eight miles north of the city of Aberdeen, the course occupies part of the private Menie Estate, bought by Trump in 2006.
A tour of Trump International Links
Trump threatens to sue Scotland
Trump threatens to sue Scotland
Mission Hills lies in the volcanic region of Hainan Island, China. The resort has 10 courses, with each one incorporating the native lava rock formations. There are also 518 guest rooms and suites, a three-story clubhouse and 12 restaurants in this impressive complex.
Golf's luxurious holiday resorts
The opening of the championship course is the first step towards the American tycoon's goal of creating a resort featuring a second golf course, a hotel, luxury holiday homes and a residential village.
Trump expects the total bill for the development to exceed a billion dollars, although the next stage of building is currently on hold while he contests plans to build an offshore wind farm nearby.
Rarely has a new golf course had such criticism and hype. Accusations of bullying from local residents and objections from environmental groups were documented in the movie "You've Been Trumped," while sport writers have been thrilled at every new photo revealing the dramatic holes.
The sheer amount of money pumped into the project enabled English golf architect Martin Hawtree to manipulate the land on an unprecedented scale.
"This is one of the most extraordinary golf links sites you have seen or will ever see," Hawtree said at the opening ceremony. "There is no doubt in my mind it will be in the top three in the world. I just don't know who'll be number two or three!"
Before the opening, Golf World magazine announced that the course has gone straight into its UK course rankings at number eight, ahead of several British Open venues including Royal Lytham & St. Annes, which will host the golf season's third major tournament next week.
Trump's ultimate goal is to bring a major tournament to his latest course, and the European Tour chief executive George O'Grady hinted that it may not be far away.
"Great courses need great tournaments," said O'Grady, "We will work with Mr. Trump to bring the right event here."
Sandy Jones of the Great Britain and Ireland Professional Golfers' Association made the only reference to the saga of controversy and criticism around the course's planning:
"Golf is a responsible business. It embraces the environment. I wish the environmentalists would embrace golf," he said.
On the course, Trump was joined by one of the European Tour's most successful players, Colin Montgomerie, who described the course as "dramatic and spectacular."
On the question of whether Trump International will ever host the British Open or a Ryder Cup event, the Scottish golfer was optimistic.
"There's no doubt that tournament golf will come here," the 49-year-old former European Ryder Cup captain said.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for people locally, nationally and internationally to come to this area."
Trump championed his Scottish family ties throughout the planning process, and continued the theme at the opening ceremony as he gave out whiskey and shortbread to invited guests.
The tale of how an American billionaire's dream became reality across the pond has made Trump International Golf Links one of the hottest tickets of the summer, with tee times already in short supply.
The course opens to the public on Sunday, with green fees costing $310 on a weekend or $233 on a weekday, the same price as the summer rate on the prestigious Old Course at St. Andrews, known as "the home of golf."
Loading weather data ...
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Trump, far left, marches down the fairway for the first time, accompanied by Montgomerie. The American's plans to continue construction have been unpopular with locals.
Trump played up to his Scottish roots, entertaining those in attendance with complimentary shortbread, whiskey and a spot of traditional music.
The course is up to such a high standard that Golf World magazine has already ranked it as the eighth best in Britain -- without a single competitive round being played on it yet.
The Menie Estate, upon which the course is built, is protected by numerous charities and societies. The sand dunes featured throughout the course are a part of a site of scientific interest.
Protestors on both sides of the argument gathered outside parliament in Edinburgh as Trump gave evidence inside. The Trump International Golf Links have attracted praise and scorn in equal measure.
Donald Trump received a bagpipe welcome on one of his visits to the site of his championship course in Aberdeenshire.
The 3rd hole of the championship course is cut hard against the Aberdeenshire coastline.
Architect Martin Hawtree has sculpted the course using giant sand dunes with a perfect example the 10th hole.
A illustrative depiction of the proposed wind farm installation off the Aberdeenshire coast near Menie. Trump says he wouldn't have even considered building his golf complex if he thought it would the proposal would go ahead.
Scoltand's first minister Alex Salmond is a keen golf fan but his government faces a difficult decision over the off shore windfarm.
Is the sun about to set on Donald Trump's plans for a golf complex capable of hosting Ryder Cups and the British Open?
The WaterColor Inn and Resort on Florida's Gulf of Mexico offers luxurious waterfront accommodation and two 18-hole courses. The Shark's Tooth, as the name would imply, was designed by Greg Norman and is only available to guests at the resort.
The sumptuous St. Regis bar allows golfers to unwind after 18 holes with beautiful views of the Hawaiian sunset. Great for jazz lovers too, with Sundays traditionally hosting a jam session.
Perched on Hawaii's northern shore, the St. Regis Princeville Resort has 252 luxury rooms with 51 ocean-view suites. The 9,000-acre site provides stunning views of Hanalei Bay and the towering cliffs that served as the backdrop for the movie South Pacific. There are 27 holes at the Makai Golf Club, 18 of which were renovated and reopened in 2010.
The Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club has been rated as the best golf resort in Canada by SCOREGolf Magazine. Originally opened in 1925, it is located deep in the heat of the Canadian Rockies in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Elk, deer and wildlife roam free on the golf course at Jasper Lodge. Should an elk disrupt your chip to the green, a relaxing drink at the resort's luxurious Emerald Lounge bar is sure to calm your nerves!
Located on the tropical island of Roatan, 35 miles off the coast of Honduras, the Pristine Bay Resort is situated on a 400-plus acre site adjacent to the Caribbean Sea. The 120-room, five-star Resort and Spa at Pristine Bay is scheduled to open January 2012.
The world's second-largest barrier reef provides a stunning backdrop to the Black Pearl Course on the island of Roatan. The 11th hole also has its own unique features.
|