( CNN ) -- After seven years of planning and construction costing over $ 150 million , Donald Trump 's dream to open a golf course in Scotland was finally realized on Tuesday . The U.S.-based billionaire hit the ceremonial first tee shot at Trump International Golf Links , having weathered a storm of controversy involving environmentalists , local residents and politicians . `` It 's been worth it , '' he told CNN during his rain and wind-swept round at the venue . `` This is truly the greatest golf course anywhere in the world . Everybody knows it . Most people are saying it and most of the golf people are saying it , most importantly . '' Trump welcomed guests from the European Tour and the Ryder Cup organizing committee , and told them : `` There 's really nothing like it . '' Set on the east coast of Scotland , eight miles north of the city of Aberdeen , the course occupies part of the private Menie Estate , bought by Trump in 2006 . The opening of the championship course is the first step towards the American tycoon 's goal of creating a resort featuring a second golf course , a hotel , luxury holiday homes and a residential village . Trump expects the total bill for the development to exceed a billion dollars , although the next stage of building is currently on hold while he contests plans to build an offshore wind farm nearby . Rarely has a new golf course had such criticism and hype . Accusations of bullying from local residents and objections from environmental groups were documented in the movie `` You 've Been Trumped , '' while sport writers have been thrilled at every new photo revealing the dramatic holes . The sheer amount of money pumped into the project enabled English golf architect Martin Hawtree to manipulate the land on an unprecedented scale . `` This is one of the most extraordinary golf links sites you have seen or will ever see , '' Hawtree said at the opening ceremony . `` There is no doubt in my mind it will be in the top three in the world . I just do n't know who 'll be number two or three ! '' Before the opening , Golf World magazine announced that the course has gone straight into its UK course rankings at number eight , ahead of several British Open venues including Royal Lytham & St. Annes , which will host the golf season 's third major tournament next week . Trump 's ultimate goal is to bring a major tournament to his latest course , and the European Tour chief executive George O'Grady hinted that it may not be far away . `` Great courses need great tournaments , '' said O'Grady , `` We will work with Mr. Trump to bring the right event here . '' Sandy Jones of the Great Britain and Ireland Professional Golfers ' Association made the only reference to the saga of controversy and criticism around the course 's planning : . `` Golf is a responsible business . It embraces the environment . I wish the environmentalists would embrace golf , '' he said . On the course , Trump was joined by one of the European Tour 's most successful players , Colin Montgomerie , who described the course as `` dramatic and spectacular . '' On the question of whether Trump International will ever host the British Open or a Ryder Cup event , the Scottish golfer was optimistic . `` There 's no doubt that tournament golf will come here , '' the 49-year-old former European Ryder Cup captain said . `` It 's a fantastic opportunity for people locally , nationally and internationally to come to this area . '' Trump championed his Scottish family ties throughout the planning process , and continued the theme at the opening ceremony as he gave out whiskey and shortbread to invited guests . The tale of how an American billionaire 's dream became reality across the pond has made Trump International Golf Links one of the hottest tickets of the summer , with tee times already in short supply . The course opens to the public on Sunday , with green fees costing $ 310 on a weekend or $ 233 on a weekday , the same price as the summer rate on the prestigious Old Course at St. Andrews , known as `` the home of golf . ''
Hawtree British golf course cost 310 to create . Its creation was hugely unpopular with locals and environmental groups . Golf World magazine has already ranked the course as the first best in Aberdeen . It opens to the public this Sunday and green fees will be same as a round at St. Andrews .