Turnberry King Robert The Bruce: More Ebert magic at one of golf’s grandest resorts
Named in honour of the man who became King of Scots in 1306, King Robert The Bruce was the last piece of the jigsaw to fit into place after Donald Trump transformed Turnberry when he acquired it.
This move would propel golf at the resort to an altogether different level over the next three years.
The links academy and practice facilities were refurbished, the pitch-and-putt course was recreated, a new Cairngorms putting green was installed, and the clubhouse was completely renovated before the Ailsa underwent an extensive upgrade.
Significant modifications were made by contractor SOL Golf to many to many of the holes – the burn on the 1st was removed, sandy waste areas were established on several holes, a large wetland area was created between the 5th and 13th, trees were toppled to the left of the 7th, and the home green was lowered in front of the clubhouse.
In addition, the bunkers were completely overhauled as well.
History
Golf has been played in Turnberry for well over a century now, starting when Lord Ailsa commissioned Willie Fernie, the professional at Troon, to lay out the first course for Girvan Golf Course in 1901.
However, this new course only opened at the beginning of the new millennium.
When Trump acquired Turnberry in 2014, he hired Martin Ebert to oversee the whole operation. This proved to be one of the smartest moves to ever materialise in golf course architecture history, transforming the venue into one of the grandest golf resorts on the planet.
Many people are unaware of the fact that the iconic lighthouse, which was built by the family of celebrated author, Robert Louis Stevenson, is situated among the ruins of Turnberry Castle.
It was in this medieval castle that King Robert the Bruce was born in July 1274.
Why it’s special
Undoubtedly the cliff-edge 9th makes this course special for its drama, challenge, and strategy. Do you go for the green across the cliff-side chasm, or lay up further along the fairway and wedge one in to the green sitting high above the waves crashing on the rocks below?
Where is it?
The Trump Turnberry resort is located on the south-west coast of Scotland in Ayrshire.
Where does it rank?
8th in Ayrshire, 216th in GB&I, and 55th in Scotland.
Get in touch with Turnberry
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01655 331 000.
Have you played King Robert The Bruce before? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us.
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Ben Outhwaite
Ben is National Club Golfer's Marketing Editor and the latest addition to our golf equipment review team.
He specialises in testing golf bags, beginner golf club sets, apparel and golf accessories. He also collates our buying guides so you know which are the latest and greatest bits of golf equipment on the market.
Ben picked up his first golf club when he was five years old – which was in fact a left-handed set of clubs!
He is a member at Rudding Park Golf Club and has a handicap of fifteen.
