Donald Trump's Turnberry remains out in the cold as Open venue

    By Rob Hodgetts, CNN

    Updated 1528 GMT (2328 HKT) July 18, 2018

    Donald Trump has set aside £200 million ($287 million) to restore and upgrade Turnberry's golf facilities, hotel and spa.
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    Donald Trump has set aside £200 million ($287 million) to restore and upgrade Turnberry's golf facilities, hotel and spa.
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    The US President-elect hopes his course -- purchased in 2014 -- will serve as a venue for The Open Championship.
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    The US President-elect hopes his course -- purchased in 2014 -- will serve as a venue for The Open Championship.
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    The iconic Ailsa course has hosted The Open four times since 1977 -- most recently in 2009 -- and Trump took time out of his White House bid to attend the official Turnberry reopening.
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    The iconic Ailsa course has hosted The Open four times since 1977 -- most recently in 2009 -- and Trump took time out of his White House bid to attend the official Turnberry reopening.
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    "I've seen quite a lot of comings and goings here over the years," veteran caddie master, Willie McDines, says. "But this is the best one yet."
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    "I've seen quite a lot of comings and goings here over the years," veteran caddie master, Willie McDines, says. "But this is the best one yet."
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    "When they started talking about redoing the course, I was saying to myself ... 'are they going to ruin this?'" he continued. "But when you see (the results), it's absolutely stunning. Mr Trump has done exactly what he said he would."
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    "When they started talking about redoing the course, I was saying to myself ... 'are they going to ruin this?'" he continued. "But when you see (the results), it's absolutely stunning. Mr Trump has done exactly what he said he would."
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    Trump has received widespread criticism in the United States for some of his views, most notably branding Mexicans as "rapists" and his plan to ban all Muslims from entering the US.
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    Trump has received widespread criticism in the United States for some of his views, most notably branding Mexicans as "rapists" and his plan to ban all Muslims from entering the US.
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    However, local residents are quick to praise Trump for his efforts in the area. "I think it all looks fabulous and it will bring a lot of revenue into the village and the surrounding areas," said Christina Auld who owns a nearby B&B -- adding that she thought Trump was "a lovely guy" having previously met him.
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    However, local residents are quick to praise Trump for his efforts in the area. "I think it all looks fabulous and it will bring a lot of revenue into the village and the surrounding areas," said Christina Auld who owns a nearby B&B -- adding that she thought Trump was "a lovely guy" having previously met him.
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    A Roman statue adorns a fountain outside the Turnberry clubhouse on what McDines describes as "one of the best golf courses in the world, if not the best."
    Photos: Trump Turnberry redevelopment
    A Roman statue adorns a fountain outside the Turnberry clubhouse on what McDines describes as "one of the best golf courses in the world, if not the best."
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    Story highlights

    • Turnberry still overlooked as Open venue
    • President Donald Trump owns Scottish resort

    Carnoustie, Scotland (CNN)The crown of Donald Trump's golf empire is set to remain out in the cold as a potential venue for the prestigious British Open.

    The Trump-owned historic Turnberry resort on the west coast of Scotland hosted the last of its four Opens in 2009, when Stewart Cink beat the 59-year-old Tom Watson in a playoff, but it has since been overlooked as a venue for golf's oldest major.
      The next available slot for an Open is in 2022, following the 150th anniversary of golf's oldest major back at St. Andrews --- dubbed the "Home of Golf" -- in 2021.
        But when asked if Turnberry would be considered as one of the 10 eligible Open venues, the chief executive of organizer the R&A, Martin Slumbers, told a news conference ahead of this week's Open at Carnoustie: "In 2022 we'll be going south of the [Scottish] border."
        READ: Turnberry -- the little bit of Britain that belongs to Donald Trump
        President Trump stayed at his Turnberry resort during his UK visit.
        President Trump stayed at his Turnberry resort during his UK visit.