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The R&A is considering a return of the Open Championship to Turnberry, the renowned golf course in Scotland owned by Donald Trump. Mark Darbon, the governing body’s CEO, stated that while they would prefer to see Turnberry host the prestigious tournament again, they must first determine the venue’s operational viability.
Evaluating Turnberry’s Potential Return for the Open
Turnberry, situated along the Ayrshire coast, has previously hosted the Open on four occasions. Its most recent event was in 2009, when American Stewart Cink secured a dramatic victory over fellow countryman Tom Watson.
Donald Trump acquired the property in 2014 and reportedly invested £200 million in enhancing the resort’s facilities, including the golf courses.
Shifting Focus from Political to Logistical Concerns
Following the events at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, the R&A had indicated that it would not hold championships at Turnberry until confident that attention would remain focused solely on the tournament, its participants, and the course itself, deeming this unachievable under the circumstances at the time.
However, in a recent statement, Darbon clarified that the primary considerations regarding a potential return to the Ayrshire venue are now operational and commercial, rather than political.
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“Regarding Turnberry, we certainly encounter operational and commercial challenges related to road, rail, and accommodation infrastructure,” Darbon explained. “We are currently conducting viability studies to understand the prospect of returning to that venue and the investment required.”
Infrastructure Limitations & Future Open Scale
Turnberry is approximately a 30-minute drive from Ayr, the nearest sizable town. While there is limited train access to nearby Girvan, this is still about a 10-minute drive from the course and hotel.
The 153rd Open Championship, a major golf tournament, is scheduled to occur from July 13-20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The R&A recently announced a projected unprecedented attendance of 278,000 spectators for the event.
Darbon highlighted the significant growth in tournament scale:
- “The last time we were there [Turnberry], I believe we accommodated just over 120,000 people.”
- “We’ve just revealed that this summer, we anticipate welcoming nearly 280,000 people [at Royal Portrush].”
- “A modern Open Championship represents a massive undertaking.”
“What we know for certain is that the golf course is outstanding, so we would eventually adore hosting the tournament there again,” Darbon concluded.
Turnberry’s renowned Ailsa Course is currently closed after being significantly affected by pro-Palestinian protestors recently.