Planet Golf

Locals do not like being Trumped- MALCOLM James is not the only high-profile golf course developer causing a stir in Scotland at the moment. Donald Trump continues to rub some locals up the wrong way in Aberdeenshire as he continues with his plan to build the "world's greatest golf course" (yes, another one).

The outspoken American billionaire’s long-standing €1 billion-plus links project (2,000 acres, over 1,300 flats and houses, the obligatory Trump Boulevard) has been besieged by planning problems.

Trump received a welcome boost last week when the local council gave him outline permission to develop six plots of land he doesn’t even own yet.

But he can expect a fight from Michael Forbes, the owner of one of the sites Trump intends to develop. Having refused to play ball with that “loudmouth bully” in the past, the salmon fisherman is equally determined this time around.

Sorenstam gives birth to baby girl

CONGRATULATIONS to Annika Sorenstam, who gave birth to her first child, Ava Madelyn, last week. The 38-year-old former world number one stepped away from the game in 2008 in order to concentrate on having a family.

“We are all doing well and we truly appreciate the support we have received,” the Swede announced on her blog.

“We are VERY excited about our new addition and will keep everyone posted in the coming weeks. Thanks!”

There’ll be no cuddles for Tiger at James’ resort

RICH? No, seriously rich? Perhaps you’ve been wondering what to do with all those spare millions just gathering dust in your offshore account. Then Malcolm James is the man for you.

James is the ambitious businessman behind a new €1.5 billion ultra-private resort planned for the Scottish countryside, a place so exclusive that only “multi-multi-billionaires” need apply.

Holiday homes at the Dall Estate will cost upwards of €100 million. Golf membership will be a snip at a just €2.5 million. Per annum.

Tiger Woods – worth an estimated €450 million, a mere pauper compared to the sort of clientele James hopes to attract – might be invited to play, but is simply too down at heel to be considered for membership.

“Tiger Woods isn’t rich enough to join, but he can come as a guest because he is known,” stated James. “He will come as an unpaid guest and he will come and play some golf and he can enjoy golf on a completely different course to any golf course he has played on before.”

Work on the project has yet to get underway, but James claims to know what makes the super-rich tick. “They want somebody that loves them from their heart,” explained the entrepreneur.

“They want somebody to have real cuddle from, not a fake cuddle. And that’s something that money can’t buy.”

Taking Candy from Caddies

A SELECT band of caddies have been banned from a number of courses in England for being too glamorous.

Eye Candy Caddies, which supplied female loopers sporting figure-hugging pink uniforms, found itself stymied as a company running four courses in the London area barred them from their venues.

The models/caddies/whatever were given their marching orders by Leaderboard, who own the renowned Oxfordshire course, after they deemed the ladies were proving an unwelcome distraction on the fairways.

“Exploiting outmoded notions of golf as a male bastion is not ‘just a bit of fun’, it damages the reputation of the sport,” harrumphed Leaderboard.

Not exactly, argued Sarah Stacey, managing director of Eye Candy. Stacey has 150 caddies on her books – they charge €260 for 18 holes – and is adamant all her “girls are trained in the etiquette of golf and uniformed in appropriate golf attire.

Just because we happen to be good looking, people seem to be derogatory towards us,” she added.

Nicklaus returns to Augusta

FIVE years after his last Masters appearance, Jack Nicklaus will be back at Augusta National next April.

Not competing, but taking up a new role as honorary starter alongside his former rival Arnold Palmer. Nicklaus had previously indicated the ceremonial role was not something that interested him, but it seems the lure of the azaleas was too much to ignore. Gary Player might be joining them soon following his announcement that he will not take part in the Masters again.