Kristy Dorsey
| Special for Golfweek/USA Today Co.
Long-awaited plans for a major residential golf development in Scotland appeared to move forward earlier this month following confirmation of multi-million dollar backing for the project.
The money will be used to deliver 18 luxury homes and a further 71 family residences. It will also enable progress on infrastructure works servicing an accompanying retail development and the ongoing construction of the golf course.
First mooted more than two decades ago, the Jack Nicklaus signature course at the Ury Estate in Aberdeenshire is now expected to partially open next year, with full completion scheduled for 2027. The project is being progressed with a $22 million loan from digital bank OakNorth.
Spearheaded by Edinburgh-based property developer FM Group, work at the 1,600-acre country estate near Stonehaven has been delayed through the years by financial crises and red tape. The transformation plans include luxury housing at Jack Nicklaus Village, family accommodation at Glen Ury View, a retail site off the A597 Slug Road, and the golf course designed by the 18-time major championship winner.
“It always takes a while to create a great golf course, but I believe the Ury Estate course will be worth the wait and also worthy of Scotland and its global reputation for exceptional golf,” Nicklaus said. “I am enormously pleased with the design of the course and believe it will be enjoyed by golfers for many generations.”
