Of Trump, tariffs and Turnberry

22 hours ago , by Richard Lutz

RICHARD LUTZ reports on a regime in reverse…except on the golf course

President Trump may be facing a couple of tough hurdles this week. Such as a federal roadblock over his stiff tariffs and his fading friendship with Musk. But he still got a real itch in his trousers when it comes to what he perceives as his historic legacy. And when it comes to achieving this goal, it’s full steam ahead.

It’s about that big building above. He owns it. It’s Turnberry Hotel with its golf course overlooking the west coast of Scotland. It’s now called, of course, Trump Turnberry and he’s dumped shedloads of big bucks into its bricks and mortar, its landscape, even its historic 150 year old lighthouse which graces his property.

Trump craves The Open

So to the matter in hand and his place in history. What happens in Gaza or The Ukraine or inside Putin’s head doesn’t count so much to this man in the White House as his most cherished dream: to host the British Open at Turnberry. He wants it badly. So badly he mentions it, pleads his case about it, begs, bullies and cajoles British diplomats and politicians about it.

But he can’t get his hands on it. The British Open is run by a clubby organisation called The Royal and Ancient and so far it simply snubs the president over Turnberry.

It says Trump’s golf course, no matter who owns it, doesn’t come up to scratch. It doesn’t have the transport and communication links to support 200,000+ fans. The local roads are too small; the rail connection too skimpy, the accommodation too low scale to handle mass tourism. And since it hosted the event back in 2009 (pre-Trump), golf has grown. But Turnberry has not.

Now, Trump is all over it:

He has told the British Prime Minister that he wants Turnberry to host the Open. It’s that simple. Trade just may depend on it. Decisions on tariffs (if they continue) may be contingent on a golf deal. Get me The Open or……

The Financial Times reported earlier this month that ‘UK government officials have begun exploring whether Donald Trump’s golf course in Scotland could play host to The Open championship …after extensive pressure from the US president — according to people close to the talks.’

The paper said: ‘Trump has regularly asked British ministers, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, why the event has not been played at his Turnberry resort for the past 16 years.’

One person close to the situation told the FT: “There are people in Downing Street who would like this to be a silver bullet which could please Donald Trump. The question is whether it’s feasible or not.”

If this is true, and there’s no reason why the reports would be false, it seems the President of the United States is spending alot of diplomatic time in his UK jaunts not representing the future of American taxpayers but his own self interests and his own dubious place in history. You give me the Open, he indicates, and The British get low tariffs and a truckload of sweeties. You don’t get me the Open, I slap big taxes on Jaguars, Cadbury’s chocolate, whisky and financial services.

So, watch this space. And, if you’re a golf fan, I’d start scrolling now through those booking sites for those overpriced holiday rentals for ‘28.

Plus, if you enjoy any American baubles or you have any serious business with the fifty states, just remember one thing: the future for you may just hinge on a little patch of manicured green studded with bunkers and flags and fairways and sandtraps and 19th holes all tucked somewhere into the folds of rural Scotland overlooking a western sky. For you, this sport of golf may be the most serious game you’ve ever experienced.