Trump Turnberry’s Ailsa Course has closed for the winter time to undergo a fresh £1m improvement under renowned architect Martin Ebert.
Ebert elevated the course back in 2015, where the Ailsa underwent an extensive renovation that was highlighted by the par-4 9th hole being turned into a spectacular new par 3 along the coastline and lighthouse, which now serves as the halfway hut.
He also transformed the former Kintyre course into the new King Robert the Bruce layout, which is now regarded as a very strong sibling to the Ailsa.
The changes will not be as extensive this time around, with Ebert set to focus on the 7th and 8th holes, along with other enhancements across the course and venue’s facilities.
The par-5 7th will see the most significant changes, with its green set to move from around 50 yards inland to sit right on the coastline.
The par-4 8th will have its tee boxes moved next to the new 7th green to give a full view of the hole and a stronger visual appeal on approach to the green of the lighthouse.
The 8th hole on the Ailsa
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The hole’s bunkering will also be reworked, with an existing sand trap on the right side of the fairway filled in and replaced by a new hazard on the left.
The Ailsa is set to reopen for play in April 2025.
Ebert said: “When we first went to work on the original redesign of Turnberry, I believe we were able to improve and build on what was already a masterpiece – in terms of its layout – and transform it into a course that has received unanimously positive assessments from those who have played it.”
On the forthcoming changes, Ebert added: “On the new seventh hole, we wanted to utilise the area to the left of the existing green, and to make the most of that by moving the green so it will be right on the coastal edge. I think the excitement of playing towards the beach, especially when the golfers reach that green, will be outstanding.
“Everybody loves the setting of Turnberry’s greens and there aren’t many links courses where you have greens right on the cliff edge – so that is very special in its own right.
“As far as hole eight is concerned, there was always probably a bit of a misgiving about the tee shot, in that when you wanted to have the tee right over on the coastline to give people that…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly…