Gleneagles winning Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley is saddened Turnberry will not feature in the foreseeable future as an Open Championship.
McGinley, of course, is not surprised that following the events in the U.S. capital last week that golfing bodies such as the R & A and PGA of America have been quick to distance themselves from US President Donald Trump.
But to lose Turnberry, and the Irishman’s favourite host venue on the Open Championship rota, is a disappointment to the recently-turned 54-year-old Irish-born McGinley.
McGinley said: “Recent events in the United States have prompted various golf authorities to distance themselves from Donald Trump.
“The stance from PGA and R&A came as no surprise and, although understandable in light of recent events, it’s a clear indication that ownership is now ‘officially’ an issue to both organisations in deciding their major championship venues.
”The R&A stopped short of admitting they would only reconsider if Trump was to sell the Ayrshire resort.
“From a purely golfing standpoint, it’s sad that The Open has been, for the foreseeable future, robbed of what I personally believe to be the best course on the rota.
Turnberry’s now remodelled par-3 ninth hole
“Turnberry is a venue etched in the mind of many golfers because of its history in producing memorable Open Championships.
“The first to be staged there in 1977 was one of the best in Open history, the memorable “Duel in the Sun” between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, whose birdie on the 72nd hole clinched the second of his five Open titles.”
McGinley, and writing in his SKY Sports column, played in the last two Open’s at Turnberry missing the cut in 1994, and in what was his third Open, while he shared 43rd place in 2009, and his last of 16 appearances in golf’s oldest major.
He said: “The Ailsa was already a great golf course before renowned architect, Martin Ebert, oversaw a number of recent significant changes to the layout – and all for the better.
“In my opinion, the original design was just behind Muirfield as the best course among the Open venues. Since the overhaul, I’d say it is now the best of the best.
“Purely in terms of aesthetics, there are not many finer golf courses in the world.”
