( CNN ) -- Hailed as the `` world 's greatest golf course '' by its owner before it had even opened , Trump International Links has a lot to live up to . The statement would have been ridiculed by the golfing community had it not been made by a man who has pumped $ 150 million into his dream to date , with plans to spend over $ 1 billion by the time the controversial Scottish project is completed . It has already bulldozed past environmentalists ' concerns , but Donald Trump is reluctant to continue development due to a planned offshore wind farm . The fact that some of the key names in European golf attended this month 's opening -- surrounded by bagpipers and the miles of towering sand dunes along its Aberdeenshire coast site -- is testament to the power of his brand . The American billionaire owns a dozen luxury golf resorts -- including Florida 's faded Doral and its renowned `` Blue Monster '' course which he plans to renovate -- but can his UK venture be considered a contender for top spot so early on ? Blowing in the wind ? Trump threatens to ditch $ 1B Scottish golf resort . Of course , criteria for judging the `` greatest '' vary from golfer to golfer , with emphasis ranging from degree of challenge to spectacular views or history . For Trump International to be considered as one of the greats , it first has to establish itself as a venue among Scottish links courses . That will be no mean feat , with illustrious company including `` the home of golf `` St. Andrews and other current Open venues Muirfield , Turnberry , Royal Troon and Carnoustie . Turnberry stands out as the most picturesque of those courses , while Muirfield hosts the world 's oldest golf club and Carnoustie is often regarded as the toughest . On the other side of the Irish Sea , there are the two outstanding links courses currently vying to host an Open ; Royal County Down and Royal Portrush . There 's also hot competition south of the border in England , including the traditional highly-rated links of Royal St. George 's and this year 's Open venue , Royal Lytham and St. Annes . The latter has seen the great amateur golfer Bobby Jones in 1926 and flamboyant Spaniard Seve Ballesteros in 1979 and 1988 among its victors . Trump International is starting on the back foot against its British rivals , but with broadcast cables already running beneath the course and a plan in place for several thousand spectators , it has a strong case to one day host major tournaments . Perhaps a fairer match for the new course would be against eight-year-old Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand , which runs along and around ridges on a secluded stretch of jagged coastline . It has already jumped up magazine rankings and attracted visitors from around the world with its spectacular views . The edge that Trump International possesses is that it can be classed as links golf , which is favored by purists as the `` true '' setting for the game . Acclaimed English golf architect Martin Hawtree has skilfully routed holes around and between the massive dunes , some measuring 80 feet in height . His family business has worked on course designs for a hundred years and put its hand to several British Open venues . To get to the very top , Trump 's new creation must surpass several private and exclusive courses in his home country , which have dominated magazine rankings for decades . Cypress Point in California boasts some of the most dramatic holes in the world , playing over Pacific Ocean bays where seals bask on the rocks amid crashing waves . The course was styled by Alister MacKenzie -- a renowned architect who also designed Augusta National , the lush and colorful Georgia setting for the annual Masters Tournament since 1934 . Most golfers can only dream of setting foot on these courses , along with Pine Valley in New Jersey , often considered the most perfect example of golf architecture on land that -- unlike the stunning natural beauty that awaits players at Trump International -- was previously unremarkable . The notable exception to the top-ranked private clubs in the U.S. is Pebble Beach , the picturesque Californian coastal course which is a video-game favorite and open to the public . It 's not cheap though , with a round costing $ 495 per person . One venue that every other struggles to compete with is St. Andrews ' Old Course , which is at the top of every golfer 's bucket list . It might not be the most dramatic or challenging course but it will always be the home of the game , where hard wooden balls were thrashed around wasteland almost six hundred years ago . Trump International can not compete with the history of its Scottish neighbors and it wo n't echo the exclusivity and originality of some of its American cousins . Unlike many of its iconic rivals , it has no `` signature '' hole , but is comprised of a series of stern but fair tests that will suit different players according to personal preference . However , as it matures into its `` championship course '' billing with the backing of the professional game 's organizers , it certainly has a fighting chance of one day becoming the most dramatic of tournament venues . Which are your favorite golf courses ? Have your say in the comments box below .
Donald Trump 's Scottish golf course has opened at a cost of $ 150 million . American billionaire hailed it as the best in the world before the ribbon was cut . It faces stiff competition for the title from several other British links courses . Trump 's course is also up against iconic contenders from the United States .