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Whilst his father campaigns to be re-elected president of the United States of America, Eric Trump is taking care of the family business.

That includes overseeing the development of the brand-new golf course at Trump Interntional, Scotland.

Named in honour of Donald Trump’s mother Mary and located adjacent to the first course at the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire, ground was broken on the MacLeod Course in May 2023.

The build is now at the halfway stage in its development and, according to Trump Jnr, it will make an instant impression on golfers when it opens for play next summer.

“We are on track to create the greatest 36 holes on Earth through two truly magnificent golf courses sitting side by side among these majestic dunes on the stunning Aberdeenshire coastline,” said Eric Trump, the Executive Vice-President of the Trump Organisation. “It is a truly mesmerising and very special place.

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“No other location can offer what is here in Scotland. We have the greatest sand dunes anywhere in the world, the vast North Sea and the most incredible land!

“Our existing course is hosting the Legends Tour, Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, which is great for the area and the game of golf. Another championship links and the best 36 holes in golf will give us endless potential.”

He added: “My family is fully committed to supporting my father as he seeks election as President of the United States of America.

“However, as a business, we remain hugely passionate about golf and there is no limit to the ambition we have for Trump International, Scotland in attracting the biggest and best tournaments in the coming years.”

The new course has, like its predecessor, been designed by the acclaimed Martin Hawtree in tandem with Christian Lundin of Sweden-based (re)GOLF and Christine Fraser, a golf course architect from Canada.

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Sarah Malone, the Executive Vice-President of Trump International, Scotland, described the progress being made on the new course as “thrilling”.

“From the outset this was a long-term, multi-phased project, and the Trump family has always had an unwavering commitment to this property,” she said.

“We know that we are building something truly sensational – the coastal dune setting, and dramatic topography here cannot be surpassed. This could very well be one of the last great modern championship links to be built in the home of golf.

“The course is designed to complement the existing championship links and will offer an incredible test of golf across breathtaking coastal terrain with panoramic North Sea views.

“Even at this stage in construction, those who have been offered a preview are speechless at the scale, quality and magnitude of what we are building.”


author headshot

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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