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Great News for Stonehaven
A NEW golf course designed by “Golden Bear” Jack Nicklaus will be the centre of attraction at a £40 million hotel and resort development in Stonehaven.
On 12th July 2007 Edinburgh-based FM Developments announced that Ury Estate in Stonehaven is to become home to only the second Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in Scotland.
The golfing legend, the winner of 18 golf majors has promised to create a beautiful course covering around 160 acres of the Mearns countryside.
The family firm Nicklaus Design has already designed 315 courses in 30 countries with 58 ranked in various national and international top – 100 lists.
FM Developments was granted planning approval last year to create the golf course. Its latest plan includes proposals to restore Ury House as the clubhouse, complete with function and conference facilities. A series of four hamlets across the periphery of the estate is also included in the plans. Other leisure pursuits proposed for the estate include shooting, horse riding, tennis and fishing.
Ury House which was designed by architect John Baird, has been decaying since the 1950's when the roof was removed to save tax.
As current Chairman of Stonehaven it’s Special Tourism Group I personally welcome this news and Visit Scotland Area Director for Aberdeenshire has said “ the exciting development at Ury House would be great for the whole area”.
American tycoon Donald Trump is also planning a £1 billion golf resort on Menie Estate outside Aberdeen which is about a 45 minute drive from Stonehaven.
Could these developments establish the North East of Scotland as a Golfing Mecca?
We await the outcome of these planning proposals with great anticipation.
George McGillivray
17/07/07
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