Golf legend Arnold Palmer wants to build a stunning new course near the Highland capital and lure the world’s top players to the north.
The seven-time major winner has teamed-up with the renowned Castle Stuart links complex and said last night he wanted to create something “iconic” on the shores of the Moray Firth.
It is understood talks have been going on behind the scenes for some time and representatives of the Arnold Palmer Group have visited the existing Inverness-shire course several times in the past few months.
The venture offers the prospect of the Highlands having two world class golfing venues sitting side-by-side – and possibly even jointly hosting European PGA Tour events.
Castle Stuart Golf Links, which opened in 2009, has already hosted the Scottish Open three times.
Mr Palmer – nicknamed The King – announced the partnership during his invitational tournament at his Bay Hill Club in Florida yesterday.
It will be the first time the 85-year-old has helped design a course in Scotland, the home of the game.
He said: “I have had a strong affection for Scotland since I first went there in 1960 to play in the Open at St Andrews.
“I have returned many times since, including a memorable victory in the Open Championship at Troon in 1962.
“The opportunity to build an iconic golf course in Scotland would be the culmination of all these great experiences.
“I am looking forward to my visit to Castle Stuart in a few months’ time.”
Stuart McColm, manager at Castle Stuart Golf Links, said the new plans would leave them with two “world class” courses, which could bring an economic boost to the Highlands.
Full plans for the venue’s second course will be submitted within the next two months and it is envisaged work will start early next year.
The Scottish Open is due to return to Castle Stuart in summer 2016.
The plan is to have the new links open for use by 2019.
Mr McColm said: “This is fantastic news, not just for Inverness, but for the Highlands and for Scotland.
“We at Castle Stuart have focused on working with other partners to promote the Highlands as a world class golfing destination and this announcement that the Arnold Palmer Group wants to partner with us can only enhance that reputation.
“Having two world class courses in Inverness, together with all the other great courses in the Highlands, will undoubtedly drive more people to this area and have a significant economic impact.”
The Arnold Palmer Group will collaborate with Castle Stuart’s managing partner Mark Parsinen on the design of the new course, which will sit to the west of the existing links.
The new course will be similar in length to the existing 7,193-yard links and will feature spectacular views of the Moray Firth as well as the 17th century castle which gives the course its name.
Mr Parsinen, who also co-designed Kingsbarns Golf Links in Fife, said: “We have been in discussion for more than a year now with the Arnold Palmer Group and we are delighted that it has joined the partnership at Castle Stuart Golf Links.
“We are working with his design team on the routing of the new course with a view to beginning construction this time next year.”
Mr Palmer is the winner of seven Majors including successive victories at the Open Championship in 1961 and 1962 – the latter at Royal Troon.
The development is another major milestone in the short but successful history of Castle Stuart Golf Links.
It has been named among the 100 best courses in the world and the 2013 Scottish Open, won by Phil Mickelson, reached a global audience of more than 500 million people.