Petition to block Trump Turnberry from hosting The Open passes 50,000 signatures

A petition to block US President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course from hosting The Open Championship has gained over 50,000 signatures.

The Ayrshire course hasn’t hosted a major since 2009, five years before Trump bought the club.

The subject became a talking point in May when it was reported that Trump had repeatedly raised Turnberry’s exclusion with the UK Government and that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had asked R&A executives if The Open could be awarded to Turnberry in 2028. Downing Street later said that the decision would ultimately remain with golf’s organising bodies.

While it technically remains on the list of courses considered to host the prestigious annual tournament, last year former R&A chief Martin Slumbers stated the organisers’ position that while “on the rota” it wouldn’t be given The Open Championship “until we’re comfortable that the whole dialogue will be about golf”.

Earlier this month, current chief executive Mark Darbon was asked about the issue and said that the primary reason Turnberry was not currently being considered was for practical reasons and not political.

However, he said that talks had taken place with the president’s son Eric Trump to make him aware of exactly what logistical issues have to be resolved. That’s fuelled talk that the course could be granted The Open as early as 2028.

A petition has now been launched to make the R&A aware of public feeling about the issue, claiming the event would be overshadowed by “angry protests and bad headlines”.

The petition reads: “The R&A, the organisers of The Open Championship must not allow Donald Trump owned golf course including Turnberry to host any upcoming Open Championships.

“The Open Championship must not give in to the UK Government’s lobbying and allow Donald Trump to host one of the world’s biggest, oldest and respected golf tournaments at any of the golf courses he owns in the UK.”

The petition highlights the President’s divisive views on trans rights, his US government’s stance on ICE detentions and “bullying” tactics directed towards Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.

A newspaper advertisement promoting the petition said: “Dear R&A, what do you want the 2028 Open Championship to be remembered for? A celebration of golf, sportsmanship and the glory of winning. Or angry protests and bad headlines?

“Don’t let the divisiveness of Donald Trump hijack and overshadow this great event.

“Do the right thing. Don’t give The Open to Trump Turnberry.

“Signed 50,171 members of the public.”

Speaking ahead of this year’s Open at Royal Portrush, Darbon said: “I think we have been extremely clear on our position in regard to Turnberry.

“We love the golf course but we have some big logistical issues there.

“You’ve seen the scale of the set-up here and there’s some work to do on the road, rail and accommodation infrastructure around Turnberry.

“We’ve explicitly not taken it out of our pool of venues but we’d need to address those logistical challenges should we return.”

Speaking about the R&A having the Open at Turnberry, Trump said: “I think they will do that. Turnberry is rated as the number one golf course in the world, so I think they’ll do that, yeah.

“I’m going to see it for the first time in years, it’s the best resort in the world, I think, and it’s one of the greatest courses in the world.”

The R&A has been contacted for comment.