Danish golf architect Caspar Grauballe, who served as lead associate for the Hawtree firm on the recently completed Trump course in Scotland has left the firm after fifteen years, and is to set up his own design practice.

Grauballe said: “I have had a terrific mentor in Martin Hawtree. After working almost full time in two years on the completion of the Trump International Golf Links I believe it is time to start my own company. My primary focus has been on historic and classic golf courses and I have always been fascinated by the architects from that period especially Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie, Hugh Alison, James Braid and Fred G Hawtree.”

As well as the Trump course, during his time at Hawtree, Grauballe worked on courses such as Ballybunion, Portmarnock and Lahinch in Ireland, Royal Aberdeen in Scotland, and Elisefarm and Vallda in Sweden. The new company will continue to have close working relations with the Hawtree firm.

Donald Trump, with whom Grauballe worked closely on the Aberdeen course, said: “Caspar is a dedicated and highly professional golf course architect and a master craftsman. He has an in-depth understanding of golf and what it takes to make a golf course that challenges and inspires every player, from the beginner to the best pro. He has an eye of an artist and at the same time the ability to create a spectacular course that looks natural in its environment. He listens to ideas and gives professional and honest feedback on them. The feedback is always constructive and based on his strong experience combined with his relentless quest for the optimal playability and appearance of the course.”