Trump's golf rival Keiser criticised for 'damaging' Scotland course plans

07 December 2023 , 17:49

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American golf tycoon Mike Keiser wants to rival Donald Trump's golf courses in Scotland (Image: No credit)

American golf tycoon Mike Keiser has been slammed over plans to rival former President Donald Trump with a new championship golf course in Scotland.

Keiser, a billionaire from Chicago, owns Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the south Oregon coast, which is the No. 1 golf destination in the United States. Trump's business rival wants to build an 18-hole course at Coul Links in Sutherland.

However, it would be built on protected Highland sand dunes, meaning it would be "too damaging to nature" to go ahead. Trump's golf course at Menie has already faced similar criticism, being blamed for trashing a protected dune system.

Keiser's latest plans have already been met with over 700 objections but the billionaire insists Scotland has "extremely restrictive" environmental rules. The setback has left rivals of his proposed golf course pleased.

"This is a very important decision," Peter Hearn, head of planning at RSPB Scotland, said. "Scotland is in a nature and climate emergency and tackling this means that places for wildlife like Coul Links must be safeguarded and not swept aside for development."

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Developers Communities for Coul Limited, who launched a bid to build the course and associated infrastructure, say the golf course would bring £10.7million to the local economy each year and well as create hundreds of jobs.

"We are disappointed, but unsurprised, by the recommendation, but remain hopeful that councillors will recognise the many benefits our proposed development will bring to the area and approve our application," a spokesperson said to Bunkered.

Former President Donald J. Trump owns a number of golf courses, with some of his most famous based in Scotland (Getty)

As for Trump, he's had his fair share of battles in the golf world in recent years following his departure from office in January 2021. His Turnberry golf course will not be considered as a potential venue for The Open.

The course last hosted The Open in 2009 before being bought by Trump five years later. "My family is deeply committed to Scotland and has one singular focus preserving Turnberry as the best golf course anywhere in the world," Trump's son Eric said in a statement.

Trump's son helped redesign the Trump National Doral course in Miami, and has been involved in talks to push their Scotland resort into The Open conversation. "We have invested nearly $200 million in the property," Trump's son added. "We achieved the most prestigious accolades in the world of golf and have a course which is universally considered to be the best in the Open Championship rota."

• An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.

Joshua Mbu