Hull, the world No 11 and top-ranked British female, is adamant the ban should be lifted after playing at Turnberry on Monday.
“I thought it was a great golf course, great fun,” Hull said at Dundonald, where she is playing in this week’s ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open. “I love being out there, and the views are brilliant.” When pressed if she would like the R&A’s Turnberry policy to change, she replied: “A hundred per cent. I think it’s a shame. It is a really top track.”
She also believes women’s events should be hosted there as well. “Like honestly, it’s one of the best golf courses in the world,” she said. “It would be a shame to not be on there.”
The Controversy Surrounding Trump Turnberry
Trump bought Turnberry for £60 million in 2014 and vowed to invest more than £100 million to update the links and the famous hotel. Celebrated course architect Martin Ebert revamped the layout in 2016 and his alterations have received overwhelmingly rave reviews.
If one negative has resulted from the overhaul it is that green fees have recently risen to as much as £1,000 for 18 holes, as the owners presumably seek to recoup some of the costs.
However, the R&A’s decision to remove Turnberry from the Open Championship rotation in 2021 was not due to the cost of playing the course. Instead, the decision was made in the aftermath of the January 6th, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. The organization stated that as long as the Trump Organization maintained ties to Turnberry, it would remain off the Open Championship rotation.
Hull Is Not Alone in Her Plea
Hull is not alone in going in to bat for Turnberry. Open champions Gary Player and John Daly have also issued pleas to the R&A, while the course, itself, has declared that 2027, the next blank spot on the Open schedule, would be perfect.
Nic Oldham, the general manager, said: “There is no doubt the Ailsa remains one of the world’s most iconic layouts, and it remains a rite of passage for many golfers who want to tread in the footsteps of those who have graced our four Open Championships – which have been some of the most thrilling in the tournament’s history.
“We continue to invest in the course and Martin Ebert’s redesign raised the bar even higher. There has never been a better time to play the Ailsa and it would be great if The R&A would consider returning the Open to Turnberry, perhaps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ in 2027.”
A Controversial Presence
Turnberry staged the Women’s Open in 2015 when Trump practically used the major as a stop in his campaign trail for the following year’s US election in which he was voted in as president.
Officials watched with a mixture of amazement and disgust as Trump flew in on his helicopter during the second round, with the golfers playing in the tournament having to back off shots.
A huge corps of journalists, with no interest in the actual golf, turned up for a press conference at the course in which Trump spelt out his credentials. It was at that moment the R&A made up its mind.
The Future of Turnberry
The R&A has not commented publicly on whether they are considering Hull’s plea. However, the organization’s stance on Trump’s involvement in the sport remains clear. They have stated that they will not consider returning to Turnberry until they are “convinced that the focus will be on the championship, the players and the course itself”.
It remains to be seen whether Hull’s plea will be successful. However, her comments have reignited the debate over Trump’s influence in the sport and the future of Turnberry as a major championship venue.
