Former First Minister Doesn't See Open Returning To Turnberry

Katrin Bennhold of the New York Times visits Trump International in Aberdeen to share the story of neighbors Donald Trump has feuded with for years.

While the headline for most is hearing for the first time about the wall president-elect Trump built between his property and the bill he sent them for it, the story seizes on the many promised elements which have not been created.

A promised $1.25 billion investment has shrunk to what his opponents say is at most $50 million. Six thousand jobs have dwindled to 95. Two golf courses to one. An eight-story 450-room luxury hotel never materialized, nor did 950 time-share apartments. Instead, an existing manor house was converted into a 16-room boutique hotel. Trump International Golf Links, which opened in 2012, lost $1.36 million last year, according to public accounts.

The president-elect has countered that off-shore windfarms have discouraged further development. The impact of lower oil prices may also have changed Aberdeen's desire for high-end properties, too. A lack of great passion for Martin Hawtree's design may be the biggest issue of all.

Either way, former Trump-bud Alex Salmond is predicting that Scotland's soured relationship with the president-elect will have Turnberry blackballed from The Open rota.

“I don’t see the R&A going back to Turnberry, which is a tragedy in itself,” Mr. Salmond said. “But it’s also a huge economic blow: Several hundred million pounds lost — or, in Trump terms, billions.”

This may be wishful thinking on Salmond's part. With no membership issues (ala Muirfield), a sensational Martin Ebert renovation carrying out many R&A design ideas (well Peter Dawson's), and luxury hotel rooms awaiting, I would not write off Turnberry.

Remember, never underestimate the importance of nearby luxury accomodations in swaying a ruling golf body.