The Week That Was, 6/28/10

scotland A Green Light for Trump's Golf Course

Elected officials in Aberdeenshire have approved Donald Trump's long-awaited golf community, with "the world's greatest golf course." Trump plans to break ground on the Menie Estate's Martin Hawtree-designed golf course right away, in the hope of opening it in 2012.

"My team will [now] finally get to work and build the world's greatest golf course for Scotland and for the great game of golf," Trump said. "We are building on the finest piece of land I have ever seen, and we will turn it into a national jewel."

australia Eastern Golf Club's New Course Is Approved

Eastern Golf Club’s relocation is virtually a done deal, as local officials have approved the plans for the club's new 27-hole golf complex in nearby Yering.

To fund the construction of the new club, Eastern plans to sell its existing property. The club is expected to announce the buyer sometime soon.

idaho Huntsman Springs Gets a Rave Review

A local television station says that David McLay Kidd's golf course at the Huntsman Springs resort community in Driggs is "incredibly beautiful" and "provides something that golfers don't often get."

canada Doug Carrick's Course at Predator Ridge Opens

The opening of Doug Carrick's new course at Predator Ridge Resort, says the Globe & Mail, "continues the impressive run of high-profile course openings by top architects that has made British Columbia the country's hottest golf destination."

The $10 million track, called the Ridge, combines 10 new holes with eight redesigned and rebuilt holes from the resort’s Peregrine course. It stretches to 7,190 yards.

"Blessed with spectacular mountain scenery and the country's balmiest climate," the paper says, British Columbia "has become a magnet for both golf tourists and baby boomers seeking a congenial spot to spend their retirement years."

florida Pulte Sells Golf Course in Fort Myers

PulteGroup, Inc. of South Florida has sold Crown Colony Golf and Country Club, the centerpiece of a 403-acre gated community in Fort Myers.

The buyers are a group of homeowners who've converted the Ron Garl-designed golf course into an equity club.

“Our plans include operating as a total private club, implementing an aggressive plan to increase membership both from within and outside the community, and providing our members with a first-class golf and dining experience,” said Jack Ayers, the club's new president.

canada After Renovation, Kamloops G&CC Reopens

The first nine holes of the redesigned, 96-year-old Kamloops Golf & Country Club have reopened, and the second nine is scheduled to reopen in August.

The club's $4.6 million renovation was overseen by Ted Locke.

"It's completely different playing this course now," said a member. "Even on the original holes, you have to play differently."

georgia Barrington Hall Golf Club Has New Owner

Chris Marcum has purchased Barrington Hall Golf Club in Macon. The club has been teetering on the brink of foreclosure for months and was nearly closed earlier this year.

“This golf course is not a profitable golf course,” Marcum said. “There’s a reason why it was in the condition it was in and was heading for foreclosure.”

Marcum's family owns Sherman Hills Golf Club in Brooksville, Florida.

canada Development Planned at Course in Murray River

Northumberland Community Development Corporation has sold Eagles View Golf Course in Murray River to an unnamed company from Miramichi, New Brunswick.

Eagles View is a 9-hole, Jeff Fuller-designed golf course located along MacLures pond, the province’s largest body of fresh water. It opened in 2002.

“We are in the community development business, and its time for NCDC to turn the golf course over to the private sector for further development,” said Jamie Richards, the NCDC's co-chairmain. “I believe the new owners realized early on that this golf course and the lands around it have enormous potential.”

south carolina New Management for Spartanburg Club

Macon, Georgia-based Private Club Associates has signed a multi-year agreement to manage Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg. CCC features an 18-hole “championship” golf course that was designed by Tom Jackson and opened in 1984.

CCC is the third golf property that PCA has taken over this year. PGA pros Lucas Glover and Matt Bettencourt are members of the club.