Donald Trump’s golf courses lose more than £2m

Donald Trump at his golf course in Balmedie. Picture: HEMEDIA

Accounts for the tycoon’s resorts at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire and Turnberry in Ayrshire show they both made losses.

The US presidential candidate opened the Trump International Golf Links in 2012 following a battle with environmental campaigners opposed to the construction of a course on protected sand dunes.

He hailed the course as the world’s greatest and pledged to create 800 jobs at the resort.

However, company accounts just published for 2014 show that it lost money for the third year in a row since Mr Trump struck the first ball at the course.

It made a loss of £1,139,513 last year compared with losses of £1.8m in 2013 and £1.7m in 2012.

The course, which is valued at £30m, increased its turnover to £2.8m during the year – a jump of £500,000 from the previous 12 months.

The business employed just 95 people during its third year of operations who were paid a total of £1.9m.

Accounts show that Turnberry, which Mr Trump purchased last June, had a turnover of £13.1m but lost £1.1m in 2014.

The company said the loss was down to significant investments being made in the resort by the Trump Organisation.

Papers also show that Mr Trump, 69, paid £39.5m to Dubai-based firm Leisurecorp for the course and hotel.

Despite the losses, Mr Trump’s representatives remain positive about the future of his investments in Scotland.

In his director report for the Menie Estate, the businessman’s son Eric said: “As compared to 2013, the company has seen a dramatic improvement in its operating results. In fact, the directors have successfully increased turnover by 23 per cent, reduced administrative expenses by 24 per cent and improved the operating results by more than 38 per cent.

“Significant investment in terms of personnel and available services continues apace with an increase in the workforce by 44 per cent and the commencement of the new clubhouse project.

“Services continue to grow, further capital investment is scheduled and another significant improvement in the results is expected.”

However, he said future profits could be hurt by the “ongoing dip in the local economy and adverse weather conditions” in the area which would drive away golfers.