The hotel and golf courses were acquired by Donald Trump from Leisurecorp in 2014 for $60 million (£49m). Following the US Capitol Hill riots in January 2021, former R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said the Ailsa course would not host the Open again “in the foreseeable future”.
Mr Slumbers stepped down from the R&A in December to be replaced by Mark Darbon, previously the head of rugby union club Northampton Saints. Nic Oldham, general manager at Trump Turnberry, says representatives from the venue are hoping to meet with the new boss of golf’s governing body “in the near future”.
Where do things stand at the moment with the R&A?
Our position is the same as last year and previous – we would be delighted to be considered by the R&A to host any of their affiliated events, especially The Open Championship.
The Ailsa has always been a favourite of the players and spectators highlighted by how many visited and played prior to and after The Open at Royal Troon last year. The Trump Organisation has continued to work with Martin Ebert on investing in the Ailsa and facilities with the most recent changes to the 7th and 8th holes opening in May 2025, which are just spectacular.
We have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the new CEO, hopefully this will happen in the near future.
Tell us a bit more about the history of the resort.
Turnberry Hotel has stood as an iconic destination along Scotland’s Ayrshire coast for more than a century. Founded as the luxurious Station Hotel, it swiftly became a renowned seaside haven for discerning travellers.
However, due to the war, the hotel was transformed into a military hospital and the golf courses were repurposed into an Air Force Flying School. Despite these tumultuous times, Turnberry emerged more stunning than ever, reclaiming its status as a global landmark and the stage for some of golf’s most historic moments.
Today, the resort has been thoughtfully transformed into a sprawling luxury retreat, complete with a golf academy, extensive spa facilities, outdoor adventure centre, and equestrian facilities.
(Image: Gerardo Jaconelli)
Beyond its renowned Ailsa Course, Turnberry offers an additional two links courses: the acclaimed 18-hole King Robert the Bruce, and the picturesque 9-hole Arran. The golf academy features practice areas equipped with cutting-edge swing technology, multiple putting practice areas, an indoor and outdoor driving range, and personalised tuition from Turnberry’s expert PGA Professionals.
And what about the golfing facilities?
Set against one of the most scenic backdrops in golf featuring the Isle of Arran, the world-famous Turnberry lighthouse and the Ailsa Craig, the Golf Academy at Trump Turnberry is one of the jewels in the resort’s crown.
It includes a landscaped 18-hole putting course, a short game practice area designed by Martin Ebert, and range targeted on the Turnberry lighthouse. The extensive reception area displays all of the major brands of clubs and bags, but what makes the academy truly special is the technology and expert advice available.
The putting facility uses Science and Motion “Sam” analysis covering every aspect of a player’s stroke. Similarly, the teaching bay incorporates Trackman dual radar technology with full recording capability, allowing the teaching professional to fully advise on swing improvements.
Finally, The Golf Academy includes a custom-fitting studio equipped with thousands of possible head and shaft combinations, allowing players to test a variety of options before coming to the all-important decision.
What are the numbers on the courses?
The Ailsa is a par 71 links course extending to 7,501 yards. It was originally designed by William Fernie of Troon, who was commissioned to do so by Archibald Kennedy, the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa (Lord Ailsa). It was subsequently redesigned by Mackenzie Ross between 1949 and 1951, and most recently by Martin Ebert between 2015 and 2016.
King Robert The Bruce is a par 72 links course measuring 7,203 yards which was designed by Martin Ebert as a virtually new course to replace the former Kintyre. It occupies largely the same footprint as the old second course, but every hole is either new or significantly modified.
The Arran extends to 1,996 yards – the length of Trump Turnberry Resort – and is a par 31 links course designed by Donald Steel.
Who are your members?
Turnberry Golf Club has approximately 340 members split roughly between 300 men and 40 women. We also have corporate and private memberships known as the Ailsa Club, a category that was launched last year and is continually growing. The private sector, which launched in 2023, is known as Founding Fifty.
(Image: David Cannon) What’s new in 2025?
This year we are welcoming enhancements to the Ailsa Course and the resort has made multiple other changes, including a new indoor arena for our equestrian centre.
We have a golf event agenda in place for 2025 including exclusive Trump Member events where we will welcome members from multiple Trump Clubs. In addition to this, we are looking forward to holding Pro-Ams, Club Championships and more.
What makes Turnberry truly special?
The outstanding golf experiences on the Ailsa, King Robert The Bruce and the 9-hole Arran are truly special. To this must be added the history of the course, its location, and the level of service and offerings across the resort.
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