Before even ending the 2025 schedule, the professional tours have shared that a new course is being added to the DP World Tour Schedule. We saw an electrifying experience at the K Club when Rory McIlroy clinched the win at the Amgen Irish Open. But for the next season, the DP World Tour has decided to move to an even more dramatic yet beautiful course of Donald Trump. The Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg, County Clare, is the venue. Well, it isn’t just a regular course, as it boasts a history spanning decades, is designed by professionals, and is now run by the Trump Organization. So let’s take a look at every detail of the course.

History of the Trump International Golf Links

Set on a dramatic stretch of Ireland’s west coast is a 400-acre area with 1.5 miles of beach and classic links terrain. Initially, Kiawah Development Partners of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, created the Doonbeg Golf Club, now known as the Trump International Golf Links. The course was designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design in 1999, and after three years, it was inaugurated in 2002. For his contribution to design, Norman said, “Without question, golf in Ireland occupies a special place in my heart. … I also had the good fortune to design Doonbeg Golf Club in County Clare, a links-style course that opened in 2002. Blessed with one of the best pieces of property for an Irish golf course that I have ever seen… my name will be indelibly linked with the golfing lore of this great land.”

The excellent design helped the course win multiple accolades. In the opening year itself, the course became the “Best New International Course” by the Golf Digest rankings. Even got praised by Ron Whitten as “Doonbeg looks and plays like it has been there for a hundred years.”

However, despite the promising start, the $175,554,750 (150 million euro) project, due to debt, was listed for sale in January 2014. The following month, Donald Trump bought the course for $17,557,618 (15 million euros). After purchasing the fantastic course with 218 hotel suites, a spa, and several restaurants, the POTUS revealed it during the presidential rally in 2016. He said, “spent a lot of money on making it just perfecto.”

Even Eric Trump also praised ownership, saying, “Quite frankly, there’s no one better in the world at building than us. … Not that the golf course here is for rebuilding. But we’ll make sure that those areas that are damaged are fixed better than ever.” After the acquisition, the course was redesigned by Dr. Martin Hawtree and joined the long list of courses owned by Donald Trump.

About Donald Trump’s course

The 18-hole par 72 course follows a single loop; 9 out, 9 back spread across 7,026 yards is a tough test of skills with the relief of breathtaking views. Interestingly, the course is built with “least disturbance” to the natural dunes, offering coastal views from the 16th and 18th holes. Furthermore, the course, unlike the usual configuration, follows a different approach. The Trump International Golf Links offers five par-3s, five par-5s, and eight par-4s. It provides a 149 slope and a 74.0 difficulty rating. Earlier, the course hosted the 2002 Palmer Cup, which was won by the US Team, defeating Great Britain & Ireland in the collegiate team event. Now, with the update from the DP World Tour, the 2026 Irish Open will tee off with top golfers at the course from September 10-13.

Environmental plan and controversies

Apart from the significant course development and its history, the course has also been involved in various controversies. Initially, in 2016, the Trump Organization proposed a plan to construct a rock seawall stretching 2.8 km, standing 4 m tall, and weighing 200,000 tonnes. The plan was introduced to arrest coastal erosion threatening the course. However, environmentalists and residents raised the alarm, as the barrier would affect the dune dynamics and wildlife.

Further, the plan was scaled down to just 900 m to safeguard select holes. But for that, An Bord Pleanála (Ireland’s national planning appeals board) rejected the plan in 2020. Now with the recent update, Greg Norman Jr has shared on X that, “Hole 15 (now taken by the ocean) was the toughest little par 3. 103 yards on the side of a hill right on the beach. When the wind was howling, you would have to hit a 5-iron into it.”

Though the course had to undergo some unfortunate changes due to nature, it is still among the most beautiful courses in Ireland. And with the part of the 2026 DP World Tour schedule, it will be interesting to see how long the partnership will last.