Tycoon's Trump card: the new face of £1 billion golf resort unveiled

Published on Thursday 28 May 2009 22:03

SHE is a local "quine" from Peterhead who became the face of the North-east fronting a business campaign for her home region.

Sarah Malone, a fine arts graduate from both Glasgow and Cambridge universities, was chosen to feature on billboards and banners promoting Aberdeenshire two years ago.

Now she has been unveiled as one half of Donald Trump's dream team to drive forward his plans for a 1 billion golf resort in Scotland, alongside the US tycoon's eldest son, also Donald.

They will lead the Trump Organisation as the detailed masterplan is finalised for the massive project planned for the Menie Estate, near Balmedie.

Ms Malone, 34, was headhunted to take on the new role of executive vice-president for the Menie Estate development.

She agreed to leave her post as director of the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen after a face-to-face meeting with the business tycoon at Trump Tower in New York two weeks ago.

"I will be involved in every aspect of the project," she said.

"I very much see it as part of my role to help integrate this project into the local community and to work with the people of the North-east of Scotland to ensure its success.

"This project is going to put the North-east of Scotland on the world map for golf and will also floodlight an incredible region that is bursting with splendid places to visit, to stay and to see."

She added: "I feel that, for too long, the North-east has been overshadowed by the Central Belt and the Highlands, which are all very special in their own right.

"But we have a particular heritage and scenery and an atmosphere, and we want to share that. I think this project is going to have a significant impact on tourism."

She also paid tribute to her new boss. "It was a pleasure and privilege to meet him.

I hold him in very high regard. I think Mr Trump is a visionary and I wholeheartedly believe in his project."

On his first official visit to the site yesterday, Mr Trump spoke passionately about making his father's dream of creating the "world's greatest golf course" a reality.

He said: "It's a very rare occasion that you can find a piece of land that's as special as this. I think it's phenomenal. The first time I stepped on the dunes, I followed my father and said 'I have never seen anything like this'.

"Every aspect of the property is so special and unique. It's a world-class find. I have never seen anything quite like it anywhere in the world in terms of development potential and in terms of natural beauty."

Mr Trump, 31, who has worked for his father's organisation for ten years and is currently executive vice- president for development and acquisitions, said that he and Ms Malone would form part of the executive team charged with overseeing the project.

He added: "This project is so near and dear to our hearts – and my father's top priority in terms of development across the world just now – and he asked me to take a much more active role. When he asks me to take an active role it's usually not a hint."

Mr Trump, who has previously made two private trips to the estate, also spoke with pride about his Scottish ancestry. His grandmother, Mary MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis. "I definitely feel very much at home when I am here in Scotland," he said.

Showing a keen understanding of his ancestral homeland, he said: "I have worn a kilt, I had haggis last night and I've eaten it before. I have not yet tossed a caber but I know what it is. It is something to look forward to in due time. But I'm going to have to hit the gym a little bit more."

The Trump Organisation hopes to submit a detailed master plan to Aberdeenshire Council by the autumn.