Presidential Address

Mike Wilson looks at Trump’s ‘Holy Trinity’ of links courses in Scotland and Ireland and discovers they offer an unrivalled combination of sporting challenge for golfers of all levels of ability, with a fusion of style, comfort and excellence in the hospitality offer that backs-up the golf

The 14th 'Signature Hole,' Trump International Golf Links, Ireland

But, if business is business and politics is politics in the wild-west culture of Trump Towers, in fairness, the core business, the golf course at Trump International Golf Links in Ireland is mighty impressive.

With the rolling links layout hugging the North Atlantic, the views are as stunning as the course, which ranges to a little over 7,000-yards off the championship tees to a fraction under 6,000-yards for the higher handicapper, and 5,273 off the ladies tees.

The finest hole on the golf course is also the shortest, the 126-yard Par-3 14th, which, depending on the strength and direction of the ever-present wind can call for a pitching wedge one day and a three-wood the next, a par a result, birdie a bonus.

The original hole was effectively wiped-out in a fierce Atlantic storm, which blew in in the winter of 2014; Trump turned to his most trusted lieutenant, Dr. Martin Hawtree, who has significantly remodelled Norman’s original, and for the better, eccentricities such as a bunker in the middle of the 12th green thankfully consigned to history.

An interesting layout, full of swales and hollows, huge variations of elevation and easy on the eye, the Doonbeg course comprises five Par-3s and five Par-5s and offers those playing off single figures every bit as much as those higher-handicap golfers.

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Written by Mike Wilson

Photography by Courtesy of Trump International Golf Links

Click here to see the published article.

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