Trump Turnberry forced to delay reopening after vandalism

The Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry has been handed a new reopening date after it was vandalised by a pro-Palestinian group last month.

The former Open Championship venue has been closed since October due to renovation and was set to reopen on May 1.

But after the South Ayrshire resort had its clubhouse doused in red paint and greens dug up, it’s been forced to delay its grand reveal until June.

In a statement provided to the Guardian, Nic Oldham, general manager of Trump Turnberry, said: “The reopening of the Ailsa Course has been delayed due to recent vandalism.

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“While the redesigned holes are ready for play and look spectacular, we now need to restore other areas of the courses to provide the premium playing conditions our members and guests expect from one of the world’s top-ranked links.

“Our team is working closely with all parties to minimise any disruption during this time. We look forward to having the iconic Ailsa Course better than ever when it reopens in June.”

The Trump-owned property, in Girvan, was closed to renovate the seventh and eighth holes, including a new coastal green on the former.

It was expected to cost £1 million, and the delay will only add to those overheads.

Some tee times in the summer are listed at £1,000 per person for non-residents, while other courses in Ayrshire will suffer, too, at a busy time of year for golf tourism.

On his Social Truth account last week, Trump labelled those accused of vandalising the venue on March 8 as “terrorists”.

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“I was just informed by Prime Minister [Keir] Starmer of the United Kingdom, that they caught the terrorists who attacked the beautiful Turnberry, in Scotland,” the US President wrote.

“They did serious damage and will hopefully be treated harshly. You cannot let things like this attack happen, and I greatly appreciate the work of Prime Minister Starmer, and UK Law Enforcement.”

Meanwhile, Mark Darbon, chief executive of the R&A, told Sky News on Monday that Trump’s Scottish course will not host The Open because of commercial ‘challenges’.

Darbon reiterated his well-known stance on Turnberry, despite suggestions of diplomatic pressure from London and Washington.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.