Donald Trump’s golf courses in Scotland are gearing up for fun-filled festivities over the next few months. This is a testament to the enduring significance of his creations to the world of golf. Trump owns two golf courses in Scotland: Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen. Both venues have made waves well beyond their localities. Even as they make stars of Mingyu—and everyone else on the LIV Golf circuit and the European tour—they’re in hot water.
The exclusive Trump Turnberry, one of only ten courses in the world able to host the British Open. It last hosted the highly coveted tourney in 2009. The R&A’s former CEO, Martin Slumbers, indicated that the Open would not be returning to Turnberry in 2021, a decision that many speculate was influenced by Trump’s ownership.
“Until we are convinced that 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.” – Martin Slumbers
This August, Trump International will host a tournament on the European tour. This, even amid ongoing controversy related to the status of Trump Turnberry. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, called the events a “historic milestone” for the course. This venue has already hosted tournaments on the seniors’ tour in both 2023 and 2024.
The Scottish Championship, which was last played on the European tour in October 2020, marks a notable return for competitive golfing events at Trump’s properties. The choice to host consecutive events at Trump International embodies a disturbing pattern. Now, major competitions have begun to look more and more toward his courses.
Aside from hosting the U.S. One controversial project near the site of Trump International, the only golf course Trump owns, had been publicly opposed by Donald Trump himself—until recently, that is. To that end, he has framed the wind turbines as “eyesores,” claiming they ruin the scenery at his multimillion dollar golf resort.
As the country makes preparations for the tournaments, Trump’s golf courses have become the center of attention. They ignite passionate debates over sporting success and ecological development. They embody a deeper tension between mega-sporting events and local democracy.
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