According to news reports, plans for a £115million golf resort at the historic Blairs College near Aberdeen were given the go-ahead, just 48 hours after Donald Trump's £1billion project was also given the green light.
On the face of it, the Muir Group’s proposals to transform the former Catholic seminary and Mr Trump’s Menie Estate plans have a lot in common.
The Muir Group want to build a championship golf course, new houses and a hotel but unlike the Menie Estate plan, the proposal had passed unopposed at the same Aberdeenshire Council committee that previously turned down Mr Trump.
The grand buildings of the former Catholic seminary, about eight miles southwest of Aberdeen, were once the training school for Scotland's young priests. Steeped in history the buildings have been left to slowly decay since it closed its doors more than 20 years ago. But the Muir Group say they will transform the site and safeguard the future of one of the Northeast's most architecturally important buildings.
The plans for the course have been designed by Aberdeen-born Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Ownership Changes and Major Events.
Scottish Golf has been in the Press rather a lot this week and we're publishing information as factual updates for members (although comments on all articles are welcome below.)
An issue raised although from separate starting points has been the future of Open Championships, Scottish Opens and European Open events - all for different reasons.
With regards to Loch Lomond and its hosting of The Scottish open, The European Tour has insisted that a change of ownership will not effect the staging of the Barclays Scottish Open in 2009. Both the Tour and Loch Lomond golf club own 50 per cent of the Scottish Open title. This means any prospective purchaser of Scotland's most highly regarded inland course would also inherit an equal share in ownership of the home of golf's national ch
According to Peter Adams, the championship director of the Scottish Open, "The European Tour and Loch Lomond golf club are joint venture partners in the Barclays Scottish Open and we do not envisage any change in that arrangement. We are assured that the new management team will continue to operate Loch Lomond golf club to the same world-class standards and we look forward to the next edition of the Barclays Scottish Open which will bear the same hallmark of quality that we have come to expect. In the event that Loch Lomond Golf Club comes under new ownership then naturally we will review the situation at the time."
One of the European Tour's most prestigious events since the 1980s, the Scottish Open has been held on an annual basis at Loch Lomond since 1996.
The Open also hit the news with the R&A being quoted on warning Leisurecorp, the Dubai-based owners of Turnberry, that holding annual stagings of a European Tour event on the Ailsa may deter the organisers of the Open from retaining the Ayrshire links as part of the championship rota. At a press briefing to discuss the return of the oldest major to Turnberry next summer for the first time since 1994, David Hill, the R&A's director of championships, made it clear the obligations attached to being one of the nine venues which host events for the club over a ten-year cycle would make it impossible for the Ailsa to also become a permanent home for the European Open.
Asked if Turnberry putting on a European Tour event would deter the R&A from going back to the Ailsa after 2009, Hill replied: "It might. I don't think it would be ideal from an Open championship point of view if there was a European Open here every year for the next nine years. I would say the same thing of any of our Open venues. The exception is St Andrews, because the home of golf is unique.
All I'm saying is Turnberry would have to give quite a lot of consideration if they want to have the European Open on their course as an annual event. They should be aware if they did that, then they probably wouldn't get a Senior Open, the Amateur or a Ladies Championship. And, therefore, a question mark (over] an Open championship. But I'm absolutely certain the owners of the hotel will be thinking about this carefully.
When Leisurecorp launched the Race to Dubai at Turnberry, David Spencer, the golf chief executive for the Gulf-owned company indicated that consideration was being given to staging the European Open on the links. "From our point of view, the more often Turnberry can be exposed to the golfing public outside of Scotland in Europe, Asia and the US, the better for golf in Scotland," he said.
"We want to have more regular events at Turnberry. The more we test the course, the more it will develop as a championship venue. I think the European Open is a transportable event but it could also have a (permanent] home. And Turnberry would be a likely candidate for a home venue. When you look at the investment we're making, after doing all that work (on the Ailsa], if we decide to bring the European Open here, a lot of that would be driven by the players, because they love playing here."
Stewart Selbie, the general manager of the hotel, explained that a strategy for developing the business as a tournament home has yet to be finalised. He reiterated the Open would remain the focus of Turnberry's future plans saying: "It's a bit early to say what the long-term thinking will be because the owners only took over the property on Saturday. But they fully recognise the importance of the Open. I'm pretty confident they wouldn't wish, in any way, to jeopardise that. We have more than one course at Turnberry and it's possible the European Open might not be held on the Ailsa."
Interesting cause and effects? And not a word about the Trump Resort!
An issue raised although from separate starting points has been the future of Open Championships, Scottish Opens and European Open events - all for different reasons.
With regards to Loch Lomond and its hosting of The Scottish open, The European Tour has insisted that a change of ownership will not effect the staging of the Barclays Scottish Open in 2009. Both the Tour and Loch Lomond golf club own 50 per cent of the Scottish Open title. This means any prospective purchaser of Scotland's most highly regarded inland course would also inherit an equal share in ownership of the home of golf's national ch
According to Peter Adams, the championship director of the Scottish Open, "The European Tour and Loch Lomond golf club are joint venture partners in the Barclays Scottish Open and we do not envisage any change in that arrangement. We are assured that the new management team will continue to operate Loch Lomond golf club to the same world-class standards and we look forward to the next edition of the Barclays Scottish Open which will bear the same hallmark of quality that we have come to expect. In the event that Loch Lomond Golf Club comes under new ownership then naturally we will review the situation at the time."
One of the European Tour's most prestigious events since the 1980s, the Scottish Open has been held on an annual basis at Loch Lomond since 1996.
The Open also hit the news with the R&A being quoted on warning Leisurecorp, the Dubai-based owners of Turnberry, that holding annual stagings of a European Tour event on the Ailsa may deter the organisers of the Open from retaining the Ayrshire links as part of the championship rota. At a press briefing to discuss the return of the oldest major to Turnberry next summer for the first time since 1994, David Hill, the R&A's director of championships, made it clear the obligations attached to being one of the nine venues which host events for the club over a ten-year cycle would make it impossible for the Ailsa to also become a permanent home for the European Open.
Asked if Turnberry putting on a European Tour event would deter the R&A from going back to the Ailsa after 2009, Hill replied: "It might. I don't think it would be ideal from an Open championship point of view if there was a European Open here every year for the next nine years. I would say the same thing of any of our Open venues. The exception is St Andrews, because the home of golf is unique.
All I'm saying is Turnberry would have to give quite a lot of consideration if they want to have the European Open on their course as an annual event. They should be aware if they did that, then they probably wouldn't get a Senior Open, the Amateur or a Ladies Championship. And, therefore, a question mark (over] an Open championship. But I'm absolutely certain the owners of the hotel will be thinking about this carefully.
When Leisurecorp launched the Race to Dubai at Turnberry, David Spencer, the golf chief executive for the Gulf-owned company indicated that consideration was being given to staging the European Open on the links. "From our point of view, the more often Turnberry can be exposed to the golfing public outside of Scotland in Europe, Asia and the US, the better for golf in Scotland," he said.
"We want to have more regular events at Turnberry. The more we test the course, the more it will develop as a championship venue. I think the European Open is a transportable event but it could also have a (permanent] home. And Turnberry would be a likely candidate for a home venue. When you look at the investment we're making, after doing all that work (on the Ailsa], if we decide to bring the European Open here, a lot of that would be driven by the players, because they love playing here."
Stewart Selbie, the general manager of the hotel, explained that a strategy for developing the business as a tournament home has yet to be finalised. He reiterated the Open would remain the focus of Turnberry's future plans saying: "It's a bit early to say what the long-term thinking will be because the owners only took over the property on Saturday. But they fully recognise the importance of the Open. I'm pretty confident they wouldn't wish, in any way, to jeopardise that. We have more than one course at Turnberry and it's possible the European Open might not be held on the Ailsa."
Interesting cause and effects? And not a word about the Trump Resort!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Trump Plan Gains Approval
Breaking news on Sky reports that The Scottish Government has given Donald Trump permission to build his £1bn golf resort.
The American mogul's plans were rejected in controversial circumstances by Aberdeenshire Council last year.
But they were later called in by the Scottish Government and finance secretary John Swinney said today there was "a significant economic and social benefit" in granting the application.
Mr Trump was given outline planning permission for the resort, which will include two championship golf courses, a five-star hotel and housing. While he has enjoyed support from local business chiefs, environmental groups have opposed the development, as part of it will encroach on protected sand dunes near Balmedie, north of Aberdeen.
The Minister responsible, John Swinney said: "I am content that there has been an efficient, transparent and inclusive process, led by Scotland's Chief Reporter, which has taken account of all of the relevant issues and the views expressed before, during and after the public inquiry.
"Having given careful consideration to the issues and arguments, I agree with the Reporters' findings and reasoning, and with their recommendation that outline planning permission should be granted, subject to the satisfactory prior conclusion of necessary legal agreements."
The American mogul's plans were rejected in controversial circumstances by Aberdeenshire Council last year.
But they were later called in by the Scottish Government and finance secretary John Swinney said today there was "a significant economic and social benefit" in granting the application.
Mr Trump was given outline planning permission for the resort, which will include two championship golf courses, a five-star hotel and housing. While he has enjoyed support from local business chiefs, environmental groups have opposed the development, as part of it will encroach on protected sand dunes near Balmedie, north of Aberdeen.
The Minister responsible, John Swinney said: "I am content that there has been an efficient, transparent and inclusive process, led by Scotland's Chief Reporter, which has taken account of all of the relevant issues and the views expressed before, during and after the public inquiry.
"Having given careful consideration to the issues and arguments, I agree with the Reporters' findings and reasoning, and with their recommendation that outline planning permission should be granted, subject to the satisfactory prior conclusion of necessary legal agreements."
Turnberry Now Closed for Refurbishment
Ayrshire's Turnberry Hotel has now closed to commence its £30million refurbishment ahead of next year's Open Championship.
Leisurecorp, the Dubai World investment company focused on the sports and leisure sector, has taken ownership of its latest acquisition, the Turnberry Resort in south Ayrshire. First announced in May, the £55 million deal sees Turnberry transferred from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. to Leisurecorp. Starwood has entered a 50-year management agreement with Leisurecorp to manage the hotel and after extensive restoration, the property will become a member of its Luxury Collection portfolio.
Internationally-renowned interior designer Mary Fox Linton has been appointed to lead the refurbishment which will see the 101-year hotel restored to the original vision of the original architect, James Miller. Working in conjunction with a heritage consultant, the refurbishment will ensure that the building’s heritage is maintained while delivering beautifully-designed stylish hotel rooms and facilities.
Alan Rogers, Group CEO, Leisurecorp, said: “Turnberry is a significant addition to our property portfolio and we take seriously our responsibility to restoring the hotel and facilities to its former glory. When the eyes of the world fall upon Turnberry next summer, we are determined that the venue will stand tall with pride, taking its rightful place as one of the top golf courses in the world."
Leisurecorp, the Dubai World investment company focused on the sports and leisure sector, has taken ownership of its latest acquisition, the Turnberry Resort in south Ayrshire. First announced in May, the £55 million deal sees Turnberry transferred from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. to Leisurecorp. Starwood has entered a 50-year management agreement with Leisurecorp to manage the hotel and after extensive restoration, the property will become a member of its Luxury Collection portfolio.
Internationally-renowned interior designer Mary Fox Linton has been appointed to lead the refurbishment which will see the 101-year hotel restored to the original vision of the original architect, James Miller. Working in conjunction with a heritage consultant, the refurbishment will ensure that the building’s heritage is maintained while delivering beautifully-designed stylish hotel rooms and facilities.
Alan Rogers, Group CEO, Leisurecorp, said: “Turnberry is a significant addition to our property portfolio and we take seriously our responsibility to restoring the hotel and facilities to its former glory. When the eyes of the world fall upon Turnberry next summer, we are determined that the venue will stand tall with pride, taking its rightful place as one of the top golf courses in the world."
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