Trump is a 'Worldwide Golf Course Collector'... "I Definitely Want to Go and Play," Amid Criticism of Soaring Green Fees

1999 Golf Business Launch 'Golf Jaebeol'
Ownership in USA, Ireland, UAE, etc.
Scotland Links Course Opening Scheduled Next Year
Criticism Over Green Fee Surge After Acquisition and Opening

Donald Trump, the former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate, has a strong interest in the golf course business.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, at the age of 78, still delivers powerful long drives.

He is a 'golf tycoon' who started his golf business in 1999. He acquired golf courses worldwide and branded them with the Trump name. There are a total of 16 courses: 12 in the United States, 2 in Scotland, 1 in Ireland, and 1 in the United Arab Emirates. Seven are public courses, and nine are private memberships. But this is not the end. Two courses in Indonesia and one in Dubai are set to open soon. Recently, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a $1.5 billion (approximately 2 trillion KRW) golf course and hotel complex project in Vietnam. It will be located in Hung Yen Province, adjacent to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The complex will consist of two 54-hole golf courses along with several hotels, resorts, and residential complexes.

Golfweek in the U.S. reported, "Former President Trump will open a new links golf course in Scotland next summer." It is an 18-hole course located north of Aberdeen. Trump International explained, "It will be the most environmentally friendly and sustainable course. It offers views overlooking the North Sea. Emphasis was placed on water quality and biodiversity." They added, "Together with the existing golf links in Scotland, it will be the 'greatest 36 holes in golf.'"

Last spring, former President Trump held a groundbreaking ceremony near Balmedie, north of Aberdeen, with his son Eric. Renowned golf architect Dr. Martin Hawtree was in charge of the golf course project. An international team consisting of designers, professional golfers, and industry magnates participated. It is a new championship links course designed and built to the highest specifications and standards. The course uniquely combines three distinct terrain areas, featuring Scotland's largest sand dunes, heather-covered moorlands, and vast wetlands.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to open a Scottish links course next summer.
[Photo by Golfweek]

Positive reviews continue to pour in for the newly unveiled golf course. John Daly, the 'maverick' from the U.S., said, "The new golf course is one of the most magnificent links courses you can find in the world. It’s beautiful. I definitely want to play here." Paul McGinley from Ireland, who has won four times in Europe, also commented, "You can enjoy views of the North Sea from most holes. It’s amazing to see such a massive investment added to the already historic golf destination in northeast Scotland."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is a skilled player with a handicap of 2.

However, not all aspects are positive. Golf courses operated by former President Trump tend to have soaring green fees. Turnberry in South Ayrshire, Scotland, is a representative example from 2014. After Trump acquired it, green fees skyrocketed. Before acquisition, the fee was ?176 ($230), but after acquisition, it rose to ?1,000 ($1,300) before 1 p.m. and ?545 ($712) for later times.

Former President Trump has an exceptional love for golf. He is the best golfer among U.S. presidents in history, with a handicap of 2. He has won 19 club tournaments. After his inauguration in January 2017, he drew attention by playing an astonishing 62 rounds in 10 months. He has driven the ball up to 280 yards with a driver. In August 2013, he recorded a personal best of 2-under-par 70. In October 2017, during a meeting with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, he made headlines by scoring 73 despite strong winds.