Castle Stuart Remembers Arnold Palmer, Legend And Gentleman

Castle Stuart Golf Links has paid its own tribute to Arnold Palmer following the announcement of the legendary golfer’s death.

Arnold Palmer had a direct and unique connection to Castle Stuart, where he was involved in plans to create his first course in Scotland.

The seven times Major winner and leading course designer had a decades-long love of Scottish links but had never built a course in the Home of Golf. However, the Arnold Palmer Group, which is investing in the current partnership at Castle Stuart Golf Links, is collaborating on developing a second championship course on the shores of the Moray Firth near Inverness.

Mr Palmer took an active role in designing the plans and visited Castle Stuart in July 2015 to view the site and meet the Castle Stuart team.

The Palmer Tribute course will be developed in partnership with senior architects from the Arnold Palmer Design Company (APDC). It will complement the existing course at Castle Stuart, which hosted this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and was designed by Mark Parsinen and the 2016 Olympic course creator, Gil Hanse.

Stuart McColm, Castle Stuart’s general manager, said: “Everyone connected with Castle Stuart was extremely sad to hear the news of Mr Palmer’s passing. Golf, and sport in general, has lost a true legend and a real iconic figure.

“It was such a pleasure and a privilege to spend time with him, both at Castle Stuart and at his base in Bay Hill, Florida, where we discussed plans for the new course here. He was very enthusiastic about the project and its potential to be a world class course in a spectacular location.

“His visit to Castle Stuart last year was unforgettable. He had a real presence and everyone was in awe of the great man. But he was incredibly down to earth and took time to meet and chat with people. We knew we were in the company of a real star but also a gentleman.

“Our plans for the Palmer Tribute are ongoing. We have planning permission and are working to clear the conditions that will pave the way for a potential spring start.

“If everything goes according to plan, the new course will provide a fitting tribute in Scotland to the great man and his momentous career.”

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