Trump’s sons in golf visit to Dubai

Tribute paid to Damac chairman at launch of club

DUBAI // Donald Trump Jr, the son of the US president, paid tribute to his Dubai business partner and to the city at the launch of the Trump International Golf Club at the Damac Hills project last night. Addressing Damac Group’s chairman, Hussain Sajwani, Donald Trump Jr thanked him for his friendship and partnership, adding that “we’re looking forward to working with you for many years to come”.

Donald Jr said he had been coming to Dubai for more than a decade.

“In Dubai, if you can envision it you can build it,” he said. “As a developer, it is truly incredible to be a part of that vision and build something like this here.”

Mr Trump’s brother, Eric, who was also in attendance, described the new Trump International Golf Club at the US$ 6 billion ( Dh22bn) Damac Hills ( formerly known as Akoya by Damac) as “probably the best golf course in the Middle East”. It has been created by renowned golf club designer Gill Hanse.

He described the Sajwanis as “a truly amazing family – I just love working with them”. Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump took over the Trump Organisation from their father last month, when the president announced that they would be handling his business interests via a trust created in an attempt to avoid any conflict of interest.

The president also said there would be no new foreign deal signed by the business during his presidency, stating that he had already turned down the opportunity for a further $2bn worth of deals with Damac. Mr Sajwani described the launch of the new clubhouse at the course – which is the centrepiece of the 42-million square-foot Damac Hills site, off Al Qudra Road – as “a milestone not only for us at Damac, but also for the emirate of Dubai”.

“I must say, working with the Trump family and the Trump Organisation was, and continues to be a pleasure,” said Mr Sajwani. He described the Trump family as “a real combination of world- class achievement and modesty”. A second Trump International Golf Course, designed by Tiger Woods, is under construction in Dubai at Damac’s Akoya Oxygen scheme, close to the Dubai Sevens stadium.