hoLLy goSSip

Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump is waiting to get approval to construct the “world’s greatest golf course” on a protected coastline in Scotland.

The $2 billion project would include a couple of championship courses, a golf academy and spa, a five-star hotel, 950 time-share vacation villas and 950 holiday homes that will sell for $1 million, minimum.

After a council committee in Aberdeenshire rebuffed the project of Trumpian magnitude, Scottish ministers ordered an inquest, which is ongoing as we speak.

While the business industry favors it – of course – many environmentalists are against it – of course.

So now the mogul needs to obtain authorization from the Scottish Government ministers and convince the public if he wants to secure planning permission for the golf resort.

Residents and conservationists alike are concerned about Trump’s plans. They say that no course should be built on Foveran Links, a stretch of shifting sand dunes that’s home to several of the country’s exceptional wildlife. The sands here are referred to as a “dynamic dune” because they move under a big “dome” when prevailing winds occur.

Trump sees the shifting sands as a potential hindrance to his golfing plans so he wants to even these out. Which is technically correct.

On the picturesque terra firma that Trump wants to build on, he said, “I have never seen such an unspoilt and dramatic seaside landscape.” Hence, his natural desire is to spoil it.

The business magnate and TV personality is being accused by Britain’s Ramblers’ Association of not ‘getting’ Scotland’s regulations on the people’s “right to roam.”

Dave Morris of the Ramblers stated, “He appeared to believe that he could establish a gated housing and leisure development with security personnel to keep the public out. Neither did he appear to understand that the public have access rights across any part of the proposed golf course, apart from the greens, so long as they do not interfere with people playing golf."

Public admittance would indeed taint the snooty allure of Trump’s golf course.

He also has something to say about going against him the tide. “Go against the tide; go with your gut. This is a very dangerous thing. Going against the tide isn't good for dumb people."

Absolutely right. Never go against the tide. It’s safer to stick with the comb-over.