‘Demanding’ Trump has my respect, says Hawtree

While it may be Trump’s style to be bold and brash in business and on television, Englishman Hawtree revealed his client had adopted a more subtle approach during construction of the course at Menie Estate.

“One of the things I’ve come to respect about Mr Trump is the way in which he gets the best out of people, usually by supporting and making people feel good about themselves, which is quite an art,” said Hawtree.

“He has a great knowledge of the game and so he is demanding but just in that you want to do the very best for him because of the relationship you build up.

“In the middle of construction we were talking on the phone once or twice a week. He’s very amenable to ideas and I find him an extremely good client.

“He has his own ideas, but you can talk with him and discuss things and find a way forward, and I enjoy that.”

Hawtree, who has carried out work for the R&A on St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield and Hoylake, is delighted that Trump’s course will be opening next July, as 2012 marks the centenary of his family’s course design business.

It was started by Martin’s grandfather, who worked with James Braid, but the third generation of the Hawtree design dynasty believes he’s the one who’s landed lucky with his current project.

“This is certainly the best piece of land I’ve ever seen and the greatest project I’ve ever been involved with,” Hawtree said. “Ballybunion is nearly there but, of any pure links site, it’s the best I’ve ever seen. It’s so unique for this area and very special.

“I’ve been very conscious of not overdoing greens in the way I’ve seen at more recent courses because of the possibility of winds making them unplayable, as well as limiting pin placements.

“There aren’t a whole lot of bunkers, something like 95, which is not excessive and compares to 230 at Lytham. The site and the climate will be its main defence.”

As Hawtree finishes off some polishing, work has started on putting in internal roads around the course.

“We’re four months ahead of schedule,” said Irishman John Bambury, who has been involved in the project as grow-in manager but has just accepted a permanent position as links superintendent.

“We’d planned to do structural work in April, but we’ve started it now. It gives us a cushion. A lot of areas have matured very quickly and we’re happy with where we are at.”