US president says course‘ too difficult’
Donald Trump has ordered changes to his Turnberry golf course – because it is too difficult.
The President has demanded holes be redesigned as they are “punishing good shots”.
It follows his visit to the resort in July when he played the new- look Ailsa links for the first time.
Now he wants greens rebuilt to better reward players whose balls are flying off the putting surface.
Trump, who has spent £ 250million transforming the resort, is said to have instructed the changes after playing the course himself.
Holes nine and 11 are set for a winter revamp.
Turnberry members have been told the 11th, where the most extensive work will take place, could be out of action for up to three months.
The President’s son, Eric, told the Post this week: “We will always look to tweak and make things better where we can.
“This is part of the natural bedding - in process of a new course and we’re making the changes in line with the R& A.
“We want every hole to be perfect and if that means making a few changes like this, we’ll do it.”
In a letter to members, c a p t a i n P e t e r R a e confirmed: “These changes have come about as a consequence of the regular visits by Eric Trump and the visit by President Trump.
“It was felt that the greens on the Ailsa ninth and 11th potentially punished good shots into the green by allowing the ball to roll off the back of the green and, while that was annoying on the ninth hole, the shot was severely punished on the 11th.”
Work begins next week to raise the back right of the ninth green.
Teams will move in the following week to expand and reconstruct the 11th green in a “more extensive exercise involving heavy equipment”.
A new concrete base will also be introduced to tackle weeds in the burn at the 16th.
Eric added: “Turnberry is a world- class course and we will continue to ensure it stays that way.”