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SNS Group<\/p>\nA petition to block US President Donald Trump\u2019s Turnberry golf course from hosting The Open Championship has gained over 50,000 signatures.<\/p>\n
The Ayrshire course hasn\u2019t hosted a major since 2009, five years before Trump bought the club.<\/p>\n
The subject became a talking point in May when it was reported that Trump had repeatedly raised Turnberry\u2019s 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\u2019s organising bodies.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 position that while \u201con the rota\u201d it wouldn\u2019t be given The Open Championship \u201cuntil we\u2019re comfortable that the whole dialogue will be about golf\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
However, he said that talks had taken place with the president\u2019s son Eric Trump to make him aware of exactly what logistical issues have to be resolved. That\u2019s fuelled talk that the course could be granted The Open as early as 2028.<\/p>\n
SNS Group<\/p>\n
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 \u201cangry protests and bad headlines\u201d.<\/p>\n
The petition reads: \u201cThe R&A, the organisers of The Open Championship must not allow Donald Trump owned golf course including Turnberry to host any upcoming Open Championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Open Championship must not give in to the UK Government\u2019s lobbying and allow Donald Trump to host one of the world\u2019s biggest, oldest and respected golf tournaments at any of the golf courses he owns in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
The petition highlights the President\u2019s divisive views on trans rights, his US government\u2019s stance on ICE detentions and \u201cbullying\u201d tactics directed towards Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.<\/p>\n
A newspaper advertisement promoting the petition said: \u201cDear 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?<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t let the divisiveness of Donald Trump hijack and overshadow this great event.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo the right thing. Don\u2019t give The Open to Trump Turnberry.<\/p>\n
\u201cSigned 50,171 members of the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of this year\u2019s Open at Royal Portrush, Darbon said: \u201cI think we have been extremely clear on our position in regard to Turnberry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love the golf course but we have some big logistical issues there.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve seen the scale of the set-up here and there\u2019s some work to do on the road, rail and accommodation infrastructure around Turnberry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve explicitly not taken it out of our pool of venues but we\u2019d need to address those logistical challenges should we return.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking about the R&A having the Open at Turnberry, Trump said: \u201cI think they will do that. Turnberry is rated as the number one golf course in the world, so I think they\u2019ll do that, yeah.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to see it for the first time in years, it\u2019s the best resort in the world, I think, and it\u2019s one of the greatest courses in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The R&A has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n
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