Trump Turnberry unveils “exceptional” changes to Ailsa’s 16th

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The bridge on the right hand side of the green has also been sympathetically restored.

The work is part of a number of tweaks that have been taking place on the Ailsa over the winter months. The ninth and 11th greens have also reportedly been modified to make them less penal and better reward good shots.

The run-off area to the left of the par-3 ninth has been raised and banked, whilst the 11th green has been extended by approximately 12 feet and, like the ninth, has been banked long and left to make it a fairer proposition. A new bunker on the right hand side of the green has also been built in.

The changes were first outlined in a letter to members from club captain towards the end of last year following recommendations made by Donald Trump following the US president and resort owner’s visit to Ayrshire last July.

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“These changes have come about as a consequence of the regular visits by Eric Trump and the visit by President Trump,” said the letter from Peter Rae.

“It was felt that the greens on the Ailsa ninth and 11th potentially punished good shots into the green by allowing the ball to roll off the back of the green and, while that was annoying on the ninth hole, the shot was severely punished on the 11th.”

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The ‘reborn’ Ailsa Course was unveiled in May 2016 after being extensively remodelled by design firm Mackenzie & Ebert following President Trump’s £250m acquisition of the resort in April 2014.