Ailsa Advancements

The championship course at Turnberry, the Donald Trump-owned resort on the west coast of Scotland, is re-opening this month following a significant remodelling by architects Mackenzie & Ebert

The entirely new ninth hole at Trump Turnberry with the iconic lighthouse

On the rugged west coast of Scotland, an icon is being reborn. The Turnberry hotel and its famous links courses is preparing to reopen following an impressive renovation, due to be unveiled in early June.

With its illustrious history spanning over a century, Trump Turnberry has added a new chapter to its story with over £200m [approximately HK$2.24 billion] being invested by new owners The Trump Organization to completely restore and revamp the resort.

Trump Turnberry is most well-known for its championship course, the Ailsa, which has hosted The Open four times, including the unforgettable "Duel in the Sun" in 1977, which saw Tom Watson hold off Jack Nicklaus in thrilling fashion. Since acquiring the resort in 2014, The Trump Organization and golf course architects Mackenzie & Ebert have completed a meticulous historic study and modern day review of the Ailsa Course.

A selection of changes have been implemented including the creation of five dramatic and stunning new holes plus a range of alterations covering virtually every corner of the course.

Five new holes have been created at the sixth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 14th, together with alterations to all other holes including the reshaping and positioning of bunkers, new tees and green positions and the softening of green contours to provide for more options for flag positions.

Turnberry’s iconic lighthouse, which like the Swilcan Bridge on the Old Course at St Andrews, has provided the backdrop for a million photographs, is also re-emerging as the world’s most impressive halfway house. Situated on the cusp of the rocky coastline, a new terrace at the lighthouse will allow golfers to look over the Firth of Clyde, Arran and Kintyre as they prepare for the final few holes.

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