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The oldest and most esteemed Open Championship, a premier international golf event, might return to Donald Trump’s Scottish course after more than a decade. The Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire last hosted The Open Championship in 2009, before Trump acquired the resort five years later. While the course is celebrated as one of the best globally, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), the governing body, had seemingly favored alternative venues to avoid potential adverse publicity stemming from association with the former U.S. president.
Potential Return to Turnberry
In 2021, R&A chief Martin Slumbers stated, “We will not return until we are convinced the focus will be on the championship, the players, and the course itself, and we do not believe that is achievable in the current circumstances.” However, the organization now seems to have reversed its stance, with new chief executive Mark Darbon expressing his desire to see Turnberry host The Open Championship in the future.
Logistical Challenges at South Ayrshire
Darbon suggested that logistical considerations linked to the region’s somewhat isolated location, are the primary obstacles to holding the tournament in South Ayrshire. He downplayed the reputational considerations.
“At Turnberry, there are definitely some logistical and commercial challenges that we face around the road, rail and accommodation infrastructure,” Darbon told the BBC.
“We’re doing some feasibility work around what it would look like to return to that venue and the investment that it would require.”
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He also highlighted the increasing attendance at the esteemed golf competition, which has surged from 120,000 to 278,000 since 2009.
Royal Portrush to Host 2025 Open
This year’s competition will take place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, with high expectations for ticket sales.
Trump’s Investment Could Address Capacity Concerns
The R&A’s previously expressed concerns regarding Turnberry’s ability to handle a tournament that has more than doubled in size could be mitigated by the substantial £200 million investment Trump has made in the site since acquiring it in 2014.
- The project aimed to create “the finest golf and spa resort in the world.”
- Included a “transformation” of the main Ailsa course, led by esteemed golf course architect Martin Ebert.
“A modern Open Championship is a large-scale event,” Darbon remarked, when questioned about the prospect of the event being held at Turnberry. “What we know for sure is the golf course is brilliant, so at some point we’d love to be back there.”