Donald Trump's plan to lure Open back to Turnberry with redesign for iconic Ailsa links

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Donald Trump is launching ambitious plans to redesign his iconic Turnberry golf course in a bid to lure back a future Open Championship to the Ayrshire links.The former US president, who bought the resort in 2014, has plunged more than £250 million into revamping both the golf and hotel estate during the last decade.

Its revered Ailsa Links course last staged the Open in 2009 - a fact not lost on the Trump family, who have pledged to return the tournament to their venue.Plans have now been lodged with South Ayrshire Council to relocate the seventh hole - 'Roon The Ben' - closer to the sea by moving it west and right next to the coastline.

Tees for the eighth hole, ‘Goat Fell’, would be moved to the right of the planned new seventh hole if proposals get the green light.A supporting statement lodged to the council says: “The proposed alterations are to enhance the overall golfing experience for all members and visitors and to facilitate the return of The Open Championship to Turnberry and South Ayrshire.

The further remodelling of the Ailsa course as proposed is likely to have a positive impact on future prospects of attracting The Open.”The documents flag up a potential environmental issue to be managed, as the remodelled eighth will cause a “slight intrusion” on the surrounding coastal fixed dune grassland, with more than 13,000sqm of it lifted and re-laid elsewhere.The course lies adjacent to the Turnberry Dunes Sites of Special Scientific Interest, which is of national importance because of its beetle population.