Trump Turnberry: Further Ailsa changes in the pipeline

Trump Turnberry has lodged a planning application to redesign parts of its iconic Ailsa Course in a bid to strengthen its case for returning to the Open rota.

Plans for significant changes to the seventh and eighth holes of the property were lodged with South Ayrshire Council on November 30 and are currently under review.

If approved, they would see the existing seventh hole moved to the west of its current position, shifting it immediately adjacent to the coastline, with the tees for the eighth move to the right of the proposed new seventh hole.

A supporting statement on the application states that the proposed alterations are intended to “enhance the overall golfing experience for all members and visitors and to facilitate the return of the Open Championship to Turnberry and South Ayrshire”.

The Open has been staged over the Ailsa Course four times, most recently in 2009 when Stewart Cink defeated Tom Watson in a playoff to win his maiden major.

It was, however, struck from the Open rota following the US Capitol riots in January 2021, in which former US president Donald Trump – the resort’s owner since 2014 – was widely implicated.

Ahead of last year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, the R&A’s outgoing chief executive Martin Slumbers reiterated the governing body’s position on taking the event back there, saying: “Until we’re confident that any coverage at Turnberry would be about golf, about the golf course and about the championship, we will not return any of our championships there.”

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Speaking to bunkered in August, Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organisation, articulated his belief that the R&A’s position will change eventually.

“Turnberry is considered to be, by far, the best course on the rota,” said the 39-year-old. “It just is. Everybody will tell you that.

“If the decision is political, which it appears it is, there’s not a damn thing in the world I can do about it. What I can do is have the greatest golf course on Earth. It’s always rated top-5 anywhere in the world. It’s been rated No.1 many times. That’s what I can control.

“When the tournament comes around and they want to do it, fantastic. We’ll be there with open arms. We’d love to do it.”

The Ailsa Course was significantly remodelled in January 2016, with a new ninth hole, as well as major changes to the tenth and 11th holes, amongst the most noteworthy changes. The iconic Turnberry lighthouse, meanwhile, has been transformed from its previous derelict state into a halfway house and luxury accommodation option for hotel guests.

Design firm Mackenzie & Ebert, which was responsible for the previous course changes, has been re-engaged to consult on the new proposals.

“The development proposals are entirely in keeping with the established quality of Trump Turnberry and the desire to ensure that the integrity of The Ailsa is retained as an iconic golfing destination,” adding the supporting statement.

It is understood that around 55,000 rounds of golf are played annually at Trump Turnberry, of which 31,500 are played on the Ailsa Course.

News of the reported changes to the course comes in the same week that it was revealed Trump Turnberry made a profit of £571,000 in 2022 – its first profit since it came under the ownership of the Trump Organisation.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor