Donald Trump golf course hit with massive blow after guilty verdict

Donald Trump, the former US President, owns one of Britain’s most iconic golf courses, yet it seems improbable that it will host the Open Championship in the near future.

Trump made headlines on Thursday after being found guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business records during his criminal trial in New York. With a presidential run this year, Trump faces sentencing on July 11.

The conviction, which could lead to jail time due to its gravity, is a setback for Trump Turnberry, his Scottish golf course, which aspires to be chosen for the Openone of the four major men’s golf tournaments.

Despite significant investment to make Turnberry a contender for hosting the Open again, concerns about potential protests against Trump led organisers to rule it out back in 2023.

Turnberry last held the Open in 2009 and was bought by Trump in 2014. Although Trump claims “everybody wants to see the Open Championship here”, sources close to the RandAthe tournament’s organisersindicated to The Telegraph in 2023 that Trump’s hopes would be dashed, reports the Mirror US.

Rumours suggest that Trump would have to sell the course for it to host the Open, as his ownership presents a substantial security concern. His recent conviction certainly doesn’t advance his ambitions.

Despite all this, the Trump family is determined to fulfil their vision. Eric Trump enthusiastically said last year: “My family is deeply committed to Scotland and has one singular focus – preserving Turnberry as the best golf course anywhere in the world,”.

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Eric elaborated further on the investments they have made, stating “We have invested nearly $200 million in the property. We achieved the most prestigious accolades in the world of golf and have a course which is universally considered to be the best in the Open Championship rota.”

Turnberry has hosted the Open four occasions: 1977, 1986, 1994, and 2009. Not only that, it has also played host to the Senior Open Championship seven times: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2003, 2006, and 2012.

The Women’s British Open was held there in 2002 and 2015.

The former President himself reinforced the quality of his course to The Open organisers. He spoke highly of its design last year: “It was done with a great architect,” Trump noted about the renovations.

“A great golf architect recommended by Peter Dawson… I said, give me the best one and Martin Grant Hawtree. He’s a fabulous guy, a fabulous man.”

“What he does is this type of course, he really did a great job. We’re going to make a couple of little minor adjustments but it’s fantastic. Everybody wants to see the Open Championship here – the players, it’s their favorite course, it’s the No 1-rated in Europe.”

However, Trump’s aspirations might be on pause as a source close at the RandA disclosed to the Telegraph: “We have no plans to stage any of our championships there in the foreseeable future and will not return until we are convinced that the focus will be on the championship, the players, and the course itself.”