• Mar. Jul 8th, 2025

fifebusinessjournal.co.uk

fifebusinessjournal.co.uk

Trump’s Scotland course faces commercial challenges for hosting Open Championship

PorStaff

Mar 31, 2025
Donald Trump playing golf at his Trump Turnberry course. Pic: PA

Donald Trump’s aspirations of hosting the Open Championship at Turnberry in Scotland have hit a roadblock, with the R&A stating that the course must first become logistically and commercially viable. Mark Darbon, the chief executive of the R&A, described Turnberry as a challenging venue and mentioned that there are no immediate plans to schedule a championship at the Ayrshire site, despite speculation of diplomatic pressure from London and Washington.

Mr. Trump has been vocal about his desire to bring the Open back to Turnberry, a course he acquired in 2014. His son, Eric Trump, has been leading efforts to make this happen. Sources close to Trump’s golf interests have suggested that hosting the Open could be a valuable bargaining tool in the UK’s trade negotiations with the US. Turnberry was even mentioned in the invitation for a state visit hand-delivered by the prime minister.

In a recent interview, Mark Darbon highlighted the logistical and financial challenges that currently prevent Turnberry from hosting the Open. The modern Open requires infrastructure to accommodate over 250,000 people, which Turnberry may struggle to provide. Additionally, the venue’s suitability for the event and concerns about Mr. Trump overshadowing the tournament are also factors that need to be considered.

Competition for hosting the Open is increasing, with larger and less remote facilities entering the mix. The R&A rotates Open venues, with Royal Portrush hosting the championship this year after a successful return in 2019. There are active considerations for hosting the first-ever Open outside the UK at Portmarnock near Dublin.

The revenue generated from the Open is crucial for funding grassroots golf development, especially in the post-COVID era where the sport is experiencing a resurgence. The R&A’s work with over 140 countries worldwide has helped support a growing golfing community, with millions of players engaging in both traditional and non-traditional formats of the game.

While the golfing world faces its own trade war between the US PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian-funded LIV Golf league, there is optimism for positive change. The focus is shifting towards enhancing competition and the overall experience of the sport, rather than just financial gain.

The Open Championship and other major golf tournaments continue to attract the best players, maintaining their appeal to sponsors and businesses. The rich history and global audience of golf provide a solid foundation for storytelling and brand promotion within the sport.

Despite ongoing challenges, Donald Trump’s dream of hosting the Open at Turnberry remains unfulfilled, highlighting the complexities and considerations involved in organizing a prestigious golf event.

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Por Staff

Every mobile phone in the UK will receive an emergency alert as the government tests the system nationwide. During this second test, approximately 87 million mobile devices will ring out unprompted. The test is scheduled to occur at 3pm on Sunday 7 September. Phones will vibrate and emit a loud siren sound for roughly 10 seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will appear on phone screens stating that it is only a test and no action needs to be taken. The test message is expected to say: «This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.» The government is conducting this test to ensure the system is functioning optimally and to familiarize the public with the alerts. Since the first national test in April 2023, the system has been used for real emergencies, including warnings about adverse weather events and the movement of unexploded bombs. Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks of these alerts, including distractions for drivers and the safety of domestic violence victims who may possess secret phones. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, emphasized the importance of this test as a crucial communication tool between the government and the public. All mobile phones will now be equipped to receive emergency alerts, including important information on when the alert will be sent and the content of the message. This feature will ensure that all individuals are promptly informed of any urgent situations and can take necessary actions to stay safe.
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Every mobile phone in the UK will receive an emergency alert as the government tests the system nationwide. During this second test, approximately 87 million mobile devices will ring out unprompted. The test is scheduled to occur at 3pm on Sunday 7 September. Phones will vibrate and emit a loud siren sound for roughly 10 seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will appear on phone screens stating that it is only a test and no action needs to be taken. The test message is expected to say: «This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.» The government is conducting this test to ensure the system is functioning optimally and to familiarize the public with the alerts. Since the first national test in April 2023, the system has been used for real emergencies, including warnings about adverse weather events and the movement of unexploded bombs. Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks of these alerts, including distractions for drivers and the safety of domestic violence victims who may possess secret phones. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, emphasized the importance of this test as a crucial communication tool between the government and the public. All mobile phones will now be equipped to receive emergency alerts, including important information on when the alert will be sent and the content of the message. This feature will ensure that all individuals are promptly informed of any urgent situations and can take necessary actions to stay safe.