Big news, if true. We’re seeing multiple media organizations report that that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the governing body that administers the yearly Open Championship (British Open), will not award the 2020 event to Donald Trump’s legendary Turnberry golf club in Scotland over remarks he’s made about Muslims while campaigning for President of the U.S.:
Report: R&A has decided Trump Turnberry won’t host British Open: https://t.co/9UHvqnmMq6 pic.twitter.com/4u1hGlX10t
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) December 13, 2015
Report: R&A to no longer host British Open at Trump Turnberry. https://t.co/S8csG5L4Qa pic.twitter.com/bXEYix4Crq
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) December 13, 2015
Donald Trump's Turnberry golf club isn't going to host The Open tournament https://t.co/PbC0HmsHHw
— The Independent (@Independent) December 13, 2015
So far, however, everything we’re seeing on the story links back to the Indpendent which is reporting that the decision has been made “privately,” not officially:
When Donald Trump bought the famous Turnberry golf club in Ayrshire last year, he believed his name would soon be cemented alongside the legends of the game.
But his dream of handing over the trophy at The Open is in tatters, The Independent on Sunday can reveal, after golf’s governing body, headquartered in Scotland, privately decided that his reputation is now so toxic that the newly renamed Trump Turnberry can no longer host the game’s most prestigious tournament.
Controversial remarks made by Mr Trump in his campaign for the Republican nomination – about Muslims, Mexicans, Chinese and women, among others – have given him a near-pariah status in the global game, raising the risk of a boycott by sponsors and international players.
Previously, the new chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Martin Slumbers, had been expected to endorse Turnberry as a venue for the 2020 Open.
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A confirmation would be nice, heh?
When Trump purchased Turnberry in 2014, he called it “an honor and privilege to own one of golf’s greatest and most exciting properties” and he made sure to keep in the good graces of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the governing body that administers the yearly Open Championship (British Open):
“I’m not going to touch a thing unless the Royal & Ancient ask for it or approve it,” Trump told golf.com. “I have the greatest respect for the R&A and for (chief executive) Peter Dawson. I won’t do anything to the golf course at all without their full stamp of approval.”
Trump was in attendance this summer when Turnberry hosted the Women’s Open:
Getting ready to leave for my GREAT resort, Turnberry, in Scotland. Hosting The Women's British Open (biggest tournament). Will be back Sat.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2015
Donald Trump is the Main Attraction at Women's British Open | http://t.co/F1H4mkn67E http://t.co/qfAxIzXOn3 pic.twitter.com/YKWoDsP8hV
— Golf TV Channel (@GolfTVChannel) August 23, 2015
The Trump helicopter takes off from the resort hotel during day two of the Ricoh Women's British Open @TurnberryBuzz pic.twitter.com/ComY7NkIID
— PA Images (@PAImages) July 31, 2015
Donald Trump Wows Press at Women’s British Open in Scotland http://t.co/701V6wYvge #tcot #lnyhbt pic.twitter.com/fF3uIwRiDZ
— keeplibertyorg (@keeplibertyorg) July 31, 2015
We’ll update as soon as we know more.
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