Eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin ‘Monty’ Montgomerie has tipped the new course at Trump International Links to be “as good if not better” than the original 18 holes.
Monty, who revealed he was the first person to hit a ball on the new course when it was still in development last year, said the stunning new course would attract visitors from around the world and could even host the Ryder Cup.
During a media day at the jaw-droppingly beautiful site, the press were given a private tour of the new course, which is expected to open to the public around August.
Whizzing round in a golf buggy and stopping occasionally to appreciate the staggering scenery and intricate, challenging nature of the course, each hole seemed to get better and better.
Both Monty and executive vice president of Trump International Scotland Sarah Malone highlighted the benefits of the new course to the local economy.
Sarah described having 36 holes as a “game-changer for the leisure, tourism and visitor economy”, while Colin said you “couldn’t ask for any more” for the economy.
Monty told AGCC: “I think it’s massive. You’ve got some July ahead of you because I believe the Tall Ships are coming as well. That’s a massive event.
“Aberdeen’s going to be busy in July, and you’ve got the Legends event followed by the DP World event.
“For the economy, you couldn’t ask for any more than that. Hotel rooms will be going up in price!
“Look at the staff, not just in the club house but on the course, in MacLeod House – how wonderful is this for temporary and permanent employment in this area! It’s absolutely superb.
“What’s happened here with Trump International Links has been super for the local economy. The building of the new course, all the hiring of the equipment, all the stuff that has to be done, Absolutely superb.”
Asked how the new course compares to other elite venues around the world, Monty said: “This is right up there. I’m not just saying that because you’re here and you’re going to write about it, oh no, this is good. This is very good, and you’re talking to someone who has played the best in the world. This is right up there, no doubt about it.
“I was actually the first person to hit a ball on it. Potentially, it’s better than the so-called old course.
“The dunes are higher, the scenery overlooking the beach is better, and I think the course is as good if not better itself.
“If it’s going to encourage American visitors, Korean, Japanese, Asian visitors, Australians, South Africans into this area, great!”
Asked if he could see major tournaments like the Open or Ryder Cup being held at Trump International Links, Colin said: “Oh God yes. Look at it! It’s waiting for it!”
Sarah’s enthusiasm for both courses was evident as she proudly led a tour round the stunning scenery.
She said: “The entire impetus for this site was to create a world class golf destination and we have established that with the old course.
“Having 36 extraordinary golf holes is a game-changer for the leisure, tourism and visitor economy in our sector.
“It will keep people here in the North-east of Scotland even longer.
“Tournaments draw the biggest and best names in golf. This year, staging the Legends Tour followed right on its heels, back-to-back, with the DP World Tour Scottish Championship, that’s almost unprecedented and is testament to the strength of our magnificent old course.
“That’s going to bring lots and lots of new benefits to the region.
“Even now we’re seeing people book the 36-hole experience, and as the word spreads that’s going to generate a lot of business for hotels, restaurants, the city and the whole region.”
Sarah made clear the scale of the ambition for the Balmedie site from the beginning.
She continued: “From the outset, we didn’t make any secret of the fact we wanted to stage the biggest and best tournaments in the world on this site.
“Everything that we have done here is for championship play, although it’s accessible and open to golfers of every level of ability. We’re very confident that we can stage any scale of event here.
“We also have the regional infrastructure, the billions that have been invested in improving roads and transport. the thousands of hotel rooms that are available in the city.
“The North-east of Scotland deserves a major tournament to add to what we’re already bringing to the region. There’s a lot more to come.
“I’m in a very privileged position that the Trump family are heavily invested in this location.
“This is a long-term investment plan where money has not been an obstacle.
“My mandate is to build the world’s best. To hire the best and deliver the best.
“We know that the land is exceptional, and it deserves the best in the business working on it. Money has not been a constraint, and you can see that with the quality of what we’ve built.
“There are other phases to come beyond the new course being completed and opened.
“We’re very, very fortunate to have an investor of the magnitude of Trump in the North-east of Scotland and Scotland as a whole.
“There’s just no other developer that has been so consistent and so good for golf.
“We’re immensely proud of what we’ve achieved. We’re looking forward to welcoming people, giving them a great experience and showcasing the best of Scotland.
“It’s the beginning of a new era for us.”