Arnold Palmer’s Scottish course approved

• Arnold Palmer course at Castle Stuart gets go-ahead
• Councillors welcomed the development at the resort
• “It’ll be a huge economic boost,” said Stuart McColm

Councillors have given the green light for Arnold Palmer’s first course design in Scotland at Castle Stuart Golf Links – with its construction set to start later this year.

Detailed plans to develop the Palmer Tribute course adjacent to the existing championship links, host of next week’s Scottish Open, were lodged with Highland Council in October.

The council’s South Planning Applications Committee approved the proposal, with committee chairman Jimmy Gray saying it was an extremely welcome development.

Stuart McColm, general manager at Castle Stuart Golf Links, said: “We are extremely pleased that the committee has approved plans for a second world class course at Castle Stuart Golf Links.

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“The new course will provide a huge economic boost for Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland. It will strengthen the Highlands’ position as a leading golfing destination and, along with new transport links, help visitors regard it as a gateway for visitors to the Home of Golf.

“Together with the Arnold Palmer Group, we are acutely aware it has to be developed in the correct way, with community backing and with the support of local and national statutory bodies to protect a sensitive environment.

“As a report to the committee pointed out, our work on the existing course has demonstrated we can create something with worldwide appeal to bring benefit to the area while working within the regulatory framework.”

Senior architects from the Arnold Palmer Design Company are lined up to join the on-site team to design and build the new course, which is predicted to generate 30 jobs during the initial 14-month construction period – with ten posts retained for a further year.

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An additional 20 jobs will be created on-site, including greenkeepers, clubhouse staff and a marketing, sales and admin team.

Routing of the new course will ensure that at least seven holes will have the iconic 17th century Castle Stuart in sight, with ten holes having sea views and five having a local burn featured as both a strategic and an aesthetic element.

Speaking last year about the development, Arnold Palmer said: “The opportunity to build an iconic golf course in Scotland would be the culmination of all my great experiences.”

Castle Stuart opened in 2009 and has achieved global acclaim in its first seven yearsm staging the Scottish Open from 2011-13 and again next week.

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Arnold Palmer :: First Scottish course

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