Donald Trump has won a battle to create what he claims will be the greatest hole in golf at his Turnberry resort.
The US billionaire’s radical overhaul of the iconic Ailsa Course will include a newly created par-three ninth at the heart of the ambitious project.
The dramatic hole will demand a shot over the rocks to a green beside the famous Turnberry Lighthouse, which will also be renovated to become a plush halfway house for golfers.
However, the project at the links course in Ayrshire had initially attracted criticism from conservation groups as it included the demolition of a historic walled garden at the site.
Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage later withdrew their objections after meeting with Mr Trump’s architects.
The new hole has now been given the go-ahead by planning chiefs at South Ayrshire Council and work is scheduled to begin later this year.
Mr Trump’s staff told the local authority that permission to demolish the B-listed monument was crucial to the financial future of Turnberry and its hopes to host another Open Championship.
In a written report, planning officials referring to a supporting statement put forward by Mr Trump’s team..
The officers say: “The statement indicates that the demolition of the walled garden to create the new ninth green is absolutely critical to achieving the objective which in turn is key to the future financial operation and viability of the Turnberry Hotel and Gold Resort.
“Based on the information it is considered that the demolition of the walled garden in order to facilitate upgrading works is required for Turnberry Resort to function as a viable and sustainable business.
“Whilst it is unfortunate that a solution which retains the walled garden has not been achieved, it is recognised that options for its retention have been explored and it appears there is no practical way of retaining it without compromising the overall vision for the proposed golf course renovations.”
The creation of the new ninth will be the highlight of a stretch of eight holes hugging the coastline with significant changes also planned for the par-five 10th and a new siting of the green at the 11th.
There will be a new hole built at the 14th to create space for a shortened 17th and new-look 18th that will make for a more dramatic finish.
But it’s the creation of the lighthouse hole that is sure to capture the imagination of golf fans when the multi-million-pound redevelopment, scheduled to begin in September, is concluded with an estimated reopening time of June next year.