In a recent meeting that stirred the golfing world, officials from the R&A sat down with Eric Trump, son of former President Donald Trump, to explore the potential return of The Open Championship to the historic Turnberry venue.

The Ailsa Course at Turnberry, famed as one of the finest in the game, last hosted The Open in 2009 before Trump took ownership. That championship attracted a staggering 120,000 fans, while this week’s event at Royal Portrush is expected to draw around 280,000 golf enthusiasts!

R&A Chief Executive Mark Darbon expressed enthusiasm about the course but acknowledged significant logistical hurdles that need to be overcome. "We’re passionate about the golf course and haven't removed it from our list of venues, but the infrastructure surrounding Turnberry requires improvement," he stated.

Darbon is keen on meeting the high demand for tickets; this week alone, they received a remarkable 1.2 million applications. "It's not just about having more people attend; it's about enhancing the overall experience," he emphasized.

The UK Government has also been in discussions with the R&A regarding Turnberry’s candidacy to host The Open again, recognizing the considerable economic boost the event can provide, estimated to exceed £210 million this week alone.

When questioned about the Trump brand's role in the venue’s future, Darbon responded: "That’s a hypothetical matter. The immediate concern remains addressing logistical challenges. My meeting with Eric Trump and the leadership team was productive, and they are aware of our position. We’re maintaining a constructive dialogue."

Last April, Darbon expressed a desire to see Turnberry return to the rotation, which appears to contrast with the stance of his predecessor, Martin Slumbers. Slumbers had pointed out in 2021 that the focus during the championship should be solely on the players and the course, a sentiment he reiterated amid the political controversies surrounding Trump.

Meanwhile, the R&A has already planned future championships, with Royal Birkdale set to host in 2026 and St Andrews following in 2027.

Looking further ahead, Darbon hinted that an announcement regarding the 2028 venue would come before mid-next year. However, they face an interesting challenge: that year, The Open’s traditional July slot coincides with the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Additionally, there’s a possibility of a groundbreaking move as Portmarnock in the Republic of Ireland is under consideration to host The Open for the first time outside the UK. Darbon mentioned the R&A is deep into feasibility studies, buoyed by favorable support from the Irish Government, promising an exciting future for golf!