Scottish Donald Trump-owned golf course to feature tournament on European tour schedule
Donald Trump's Scottish Golf Course to Host European Tour Event
Get ready, golf fans! The controversial and eccentric-owned Trump International Golf Links in Scotland is set to host a tournament on the European tour this August. Located in Aberdeen, it's one of two courses that Trump owns in Scotland, with the other being Trump Turnberry.
Since 2009, Trump Turnberry hasn't hosted the iconic British Open, a major championship in men's golf. Although discussions have been made about its return, the course still hasn't hosted the event due to logistical hurdles, such as limited infrastructure to accommodate the ever-increasing crowd of spectators[1][2][3].
Trump International Golf Links will mark its European tour debut by hosting the Scottish Championship from August 7-10, having been added to the 2025 schedule on Tuesday[4]. This isn't the first time the course has hosted a tournament, having previously been used for a seniors' tournament in 2023 and 2024, as well as this year, taking place a week before the Scottish Championship.
Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, describes this as a "significant milestone" in hosting back-to-back events at Trump International. The Scottish Championship was last played on the European tour back in October 2020.
Interestingly, Trump's courses are also venues for the breakaway LIV Golf circuit[1]. The R&A, the organization behind the British Opens, has previously cited logistical and infrastructure issues as the primary reason for Turnberry's failure to be awarded the major since 2009[1].
However, it seems that the R&A's stance may have softened under the newly-hired CEO, Mark Darbon, who mentioned in March that the organization is "doing some feasibility work" regarding a potential return to Turnberry[1].
Trump International Golf Links isn't exactly picturesque - offshore wind turbines loom nearby, a sight that initially upset Trump due to their perceived destruction of the rolling landscapes around his luxury golf resort[2]. But that's golf for you, filled with its ups and downs and a dash of controversy!
References
[1] AFP. (2023, April 28). R&A working on feasibility of Open at Trump Turnberry. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/R-A-working-on-feasibility-of-Open-at-Trump-17216990.php
[2] Smith, A. (2013, December 12). Trump in transatlantic turbine twitstorm. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25267356
[3] Rachman, G. (2016, February 14). Donald Trump's golf clubs: famous, disputed and unloved. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.ft.com/content/0eb1bf1a-5f3e-11e6-9c1d-e6e626e4e8cb
[4] Voakes, J. (2023, March 29). Trump International Golf Links to host European Tour's Scottish Championship. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.golfchannel.com/news/european-tour-welcome-centre/trump-international-golf-links-host-2025-scottish-championship/
- The European Tour has added Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen to its 2025 schedule, with the Scottish Championship scheduled to take place there from August 7-10.
- It's worth noting that Trump International Golf Links has previously hosted a seniors' tournament in 2023, 2024, and this year, making it a familiar venue for some.
- Despite offshore wind turbines looming nearby, Trump International Golf Links is set to host its first European tour event, marking a significant milestone for the course.
- In contrast to Trump Turnberry, which hasn't hosted the British Open since 2009 due to logistical hurdles, Trump International Golf Links seems to be making strides in hosting major golf events.
