Trump's golf course opens to the public

US tycoon Donald Trump's multi-million pound golf resort will open to the public today.

The first golfers will tee off at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire this morning.

Last week, the businessman was piped on to the 18-hole course, which is three miles long, before cutting a ribbon and striking the first ball with former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie to declare the resort officially open.

The course is said to be open to all and people can have a game on a “pay-per-play” basis.

Discounts of 20% are offered to residents of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Mr Trump has clashed with local residents, environmentalists, wind farm manufacturers and the Scottish First Minister since buying the land on the Menie Estate seven years ago, but said the battle has been worth it.

Plans for a hotel and houses on the estate have been put on hold until a decision is made on a proposed wind farm off the coast of the Links.

Mr Trump has already dubbed it the “greatest golf course anywhere in the world”.

At the opening on Tuesday, he said: “It's the whole structure that makes it special - the dunes, being on the North Sea - the architect has done an amazing job.

“It's a special place, Scotland is a special place. I think this is great for golf, and what's great for golf is good for Scotland because Scotland is the home front for the game.”

Mr Trump also said he remains confident that the offshore wind farm proposal in the North Sea will be rejected and plans to expand the resort will continue.

“As soon as we find out that they are not going to destroy Scotland by building wind mills all over the place we will start immediately on the hotel,” he said.

“We're all set with it.”

PA