Donald Trump owns the Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, Scotland, and has been lobbying for it to host The Open Championship.
In 2023, Trump expressed that “everybody wants to see the Open Championship here,” but the tournament’s organisers, the R&A, have rejected the idea. They cited security concerns, particularly protests related to Trump’s ownership, and as a result, Turnberry has been “blacklisted” from hosting the event.
Trump’s camp responded, emphasizing their dedication to preserving Turnberry as one of the world’s best golf courses. Trump also highlighted his investment of nearly $200 million to redevelop the resort.
In May 2023, he spoke about the advice from former R&A CEO Peter Dawson and praised the work of renowned golf architect Martin Grant Hawtree. Despite R&A’s stance, Trump remains confident in Turnberry’s quality, calling it the “No 1-rated in Europe.”
Turnberry and The Open: Inside Donald Trump’s Campaign to Reclaim Golf’s Greatest Stage
In the windswept coastal stretch of Ayrshire, Scotland, where rugged cliffs meet rolling fairways, lies one of the most iconic venues in golf history—Turnberry. Revered for its storied past and stunning views of the Firth of Clyde, Turnberry has long been considered one of the sport’s crown jewels. But despite its prestige, it remains in exile from hosting golf’s oldest and most celebrated tournament: The Open Championship.
At the heart of this controversy is Donald J. Trump, the former U.S. President and current owner of the Turnberry resort. Trump, an avid golfer and vocal promoter of his golf properties, has been lobbying relentlessly to bring The Open back to Turnberry—a course he calls “the No. 1-rated in Europe.”
Yet the R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews), the tournament’s organiser, has held firm in its refusal, citing a complex web of security risks, political sensitivities, and reputational concerns tied directly to Trump’s involvement.
🏌️ The History of Turnberry and The Open
Turnberry has hosted The Open four times, most recently in 2009, when Tom Watson, at age 59, nearly made history before losing in a playoff to Stewart Cink. That tournament remains one of the most dramatic in Open history—and also marked the last time Turnberry was selected as a host venue.
Trump purchased the Turnberry resort in 2014, acquiring it from Leisurecorp, a Dubai-based company. His plan? To transform the already iconic site into a world-class luxury golf destination.
💰 A $200 Million Bet on Golf
Following the acquisition, Trump launched an extensive redevelopment, investing nearly $200 million into the course, the hotel, and the surrounding infrastructure. He brought in renowned golf course architect Martin Grant Hawtree—whose family has shaped many classic British links layouts—to reimagine Turnberry’s Ailsa Course.
The redesign was met with widespread acclaim from players, architects, and critics. Golf Digest and Golf Monthly praised the changes as “masterful,” noting improvements to routing, bunkering, and visual impact. Some even called it the finest course on the Open rota—if only it were on the rota.
Despite the course’s enhancements and Trump’s personal lobbying, Turnberry has been blacklisted from future consideration for The Open.
🚫 R&A’s Firm Stance
In 2021, and again reaffirmed in 2023, the R&A publicly stated that it had no plans to stage The Open at Turnberry for the “foreseeable future.” The reason? Concerns over the “distraction” Trump’s ownership could cause.
While the R&A has stopped short of explicitly naming political affiliations, insiders suggest that the decision reflects fears of mass protests, media storms, and the polarizing effect Trump’s presence might have on the traditionally neutral, heritage-focused world of major championship golf.
A spokesperson for the R&A stated:
“We want to ensure the focus remains on the championship, the players, and the course itself. The current situation with Turnberry would make that extremely difficult.”
🗣️ Trump’s Response: “Everyone Wants It”
Never one to shy away from a public battle, Trump hit back in May 2023, during a visit to Turnberry. Speaking to a small crowd of journalists and supporters, he reiterated his belief that Turnberry is the best course in Europe, and questioned the motives of the R&A’s leadership.
“Everybody wants to see The Open back at Turnberry,” Trump said. “The players, the fans, the experts—they all know this is where history was made, and where it should be made again.”
He also referenced advice from former R&A CEO Peter Dawson, who had previously spoken favorably about the course’s potential, before stepping down in 2015. Trump suggested that political winds, not course quality, were behind the decision.
“Peter loved this place. He knew what it was. It’s a shame the new guys don’t have the same vision.”
🎯 What’s at Stake?
At the center of the debate is a broader question: Should politics affect the future of iconic sporting venues?
Supporters of Trump argue that golf should rise above partisan politics and focus solely on merit. To them, Turnberry is a masterpiece—a monument to links golf—and deserves to be in the Open rotation based on its excellence alone.
Critics, however, say that bringing The Open to Turnberry would risk the event’s global reputation, especially amid increasing geopolitical tensions and social polarization. They also argue that Trump’s ownership creates an unavoidable distraction from the game itself.
📉 The Fallout—and the Future
For now, Turnberry remains a host without a championship. Despite its immaculate fairways and world-class facilities, the course lies in competitive limbo—celebrated by purists but sidelined by administrators.
Trump, however, remains undeterred. His team continues to promote Turnberry across social media, and the course frequently features in his own public appearances. Some speculate that if Trump returns to public office—or exits the political stage altogether—the R&A may quietly revisit its stance in the future.
For now, Turnberry stands as a case study in the complex intersection between sport, business, and politics—a reminder that in modern golf, even the turf can be contested ground.
📝 Final Word
Whether you’re a fan of Trump or not, there’s no denying Turnberry’s unmatched beauty and history. The 2009 Open. The 1977 Duel in the Sun between Watson and Nicklaus. The breathtaking 9th hole beneath the lighthouse.
It remains one of golf’s greatest stages—waiting, perhaps in vain, for the spotlight to return.
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