US property tycoon Donald Trump is reported to have bought the Turnberry golf resort, acquiring the entire South Ayrshire complex, including the hotel, from the Dubai-based group Leisurecorp.
The price has not been advised, but it is rumoured to be in the region of £35 million, which would be a substantial discount to the price paid by Leisurecorp, particularly since it has invested since it acquired the resort.
Turnberry is on the roster to host the British Open Golf Championship, and Donald Trump is said to have ambitions to host the Golf ‘majors’ at his courses in the UK and USA. The course is operated by Starwood Hotels.
Whilst Donald Trump would be widely regarded as a supportive ‘custodian’ of championship golf at Turnberry, there is one obvious flaw in the dream: the possibility that wind farming may be introduced in the locality. His vehement opposition is well known after the furore surrounding its development near his Menie Estate and golf course in Aberdeenshire.