And the question on every tourist’s lips today, naturally, is what’s the deal with Trump Turnberry?
Well, Trump Turnberry is one of two golf resorts the Scots-American owns in the land of his mother Mary, who was from the Isle of Lewis.
The other being Trump International in Menie in Aberdeenshire.
Now if you want to reach the US President just now he’s staying at Turnberry.
Though he’s likely not spending much time in the Presidential Suite.
And rather shooting the lights out on the Championship course.
Duel in the Sun
Which those of you who are old enough will remember for one of the most famous Open Golf Championships.
Still known as The Duel in the Sun, then young pretender Tom Watson held off Jack Nicklaus under the baking (no, seriously) sun in 1977.
The Open has been contested three times since, delivering drama every time.
And champion golfers in Greg Norman, Nick Price and Stewart Cink.
That victory, on the last occasion the major was played in this idyllic corner of Ayrshire in 2009.
As memorable for Watson forcing a play-off at the ripe young age of 59.
A political golf ball
All of which doglegging around history leads us to the thorny subject of when the Open will be returning to Turnberry.
The course, which has unparallelled view of the Irish Sea and its famous rock, Ailsa Craig or ‘Paddy’s Milestone’ has become a political golf ball.
The R&A, which chooses the venues, said last year that Turnberry wouldn’t be considered.
“Until we’re comfortable that the whole dialogue will be about golf”.
Which, of course, was a not-so-subtle dig at the man we all recognise again as the Leader of the Western World.
Although 50,000 signatories to a petition to stop the Open returning to Turnberry aren’t to be moved on that.
Thing is though that we might very well be on the home stretch with this one.
Not discounting another R&A objection that the infrastructure around Turnberry needs updating.
To accommodate the growing crowds who turn up for the four days of golf each July.
With numbers doubling from the 150,000 in 2009 to 300,000 now.
Turnberry bargaining chip
But the Donald will be wanting to leave with a W (that’s a win for those not down with the kids) from his game on his own course.
And his talks with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
And the 2028 Open Golf Championship host course has not been selected yet.
Not, of course, wanting to go against our own local course here near to North Berwick, the iconic Muirfield links.
But despite not being a golfer himself Starmer must know.
That Turnberry is the best bargaining chip he has with Donald Trump in his Trade Talks.
Whether anyone listens to us, and they should, we’ll leave it there.
Deal us in
Only to come back to the premise we set out with and what’s the deal with Trump Turnberry?
Well, you don’t have to be a champion golfer, or President, to stay there.
Trump Turnberry hotel offers 204 guest rooms, including 4 suites.
And the iconic two-bedroom suite at The Turnberry Lighthouse that rises above the ruins of King Robert the Bruce’s Castle.
All grand then and we found that it will set you back nearly four grand for three nights with a round at the Ailsa Course thrown in.
Although that would be good value for that duffer at a pound per shot!
