Trump wants Connery to play first shot on controversial new Scots golf course

Tycoon Donald Trump yesterday teed up the opening day for his new golf course in two years. And he revealed his dream is to have movie star Sean Connery and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie play the first round, reports the Daily Record.

Trump was speaking as he declared himself the saviour of the sand dunes at his controversial development site at Menie Estate, Balmedie, near Aberdeen.

He said: "We have saved the dunes when they might have been blown away in the winds. From an environmental standpoint, it is a much better situation than before we bought the site.

"We're going to produce something for Aberdeen and Scotland that is going to be a masterpiece."

Trump said Connery and Monty had both backed his vision for the Dunes of Scotland course.

He added: "Sean was in New York recently and I was with him. He came out of the blue and endorsed this strongly.

"First of all, I loved him as James Bond, my all-time favourite James Bond. But when Sean Connery was strongly in favour of this course, that actually had a big impact."

Trump touched down in Aberdeenshire in his private jet from New York on Wednesday to make final tweaks to his resort before seeking detailed planning permission.

And he again dismissed the protests that have dogged the development since his name was first linked to it.

He said: "I have no regrets. There's no job that easy if you're developing.

"The thing I'm most proud about is that after they're finished, everybody loves them. We're looking at June-July of 2012."

Meanwhile, Lord Puttnam - producer of the hit movie Local Hero - said he is backing the Tripping Up Trump campaigners.

The film-maker is now one of the owners of a plot at Menie sold by landowner Michael Forbes in a bid to stop the development.

Dignity Puttnam said: "This saga is the real-life version of the film I made over 25 years ago.

"Thankfully, Local Hero had a happy ending when the American developer came to his senses and withdrew with dignity. It would be great if Trump would watch it."

By yesterday, Tripping Up Trump claimed more than 1000 new potential owners had signed up online for a share of the acre of land, dubbed The Bunker.

Trump was also asked if he might have a few million quid spare to invest in cash-strapped Aberdeen FC.

He said: "I have done wilder things before in my life. I do like soccer very much." He promised to visit Pittodrie Stadium for a match.

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