Hours after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, one of the top two candidates for the highest office in the United States happened to be in Scotland. Donald Trump appeared at his century-old Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshine for its re-opening after refurbishing.
In 2014 Trump bought Turnberry, which has hosted four British Opens (1977, 1986, 1994, 2009), and officially renamed it Trump Turnberry shortly after. Turnberry was expected to host the 2020 Open Championship, but after Trump's controversial quotes about Muslims, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews took it out of consideration.
The Republican nominee landed by helicopter across the street from Turnberry before making a speech flanked by son Eric, son Donald and daughter Ivanka. Turnberry employees and Trump supporters wore "Made Turnberry Great Again" hats. Trump wore a "Make America Great Again" hat.
"If the pound goes down, more people are coming to Turnberry frankly," Trump said, putting a positive private-business spin on the Brexit vote.
According to Politico, Trump has a poor reputation in Aberdeenshire, the site of his first Scottish course, after he "opposed a popular wind farm project." Turnberry is farther from the wind turbines, allowing Trump to have a better reputation with local residents. A giant Scottish flag flies above the course.
Golf Channel notes Trump's renovations to Turnberry include the addition of luxury suites and dining to the property's trademark lighthouse. The water circulation is also better.
Trump's speech so far has been devoted to his renovation of Turnberry. Apparently, the sprinkler system is now at "the highest level."
— Amy Davidson (@tnyCloseRead) June 24, 2016
Shortly after landing in Scotland, Trump tweeted to laud the Scottish people for voting to leave the European Union. But the vote within Scotland was actually 62 percent in favor of staying in the EU, which prompted counter-tweets like this:
@realDonaldTrump Scotland voted IN you moron
— lily (@lilyallen) June 24, 2016
Comedian Lee Nelson was thrown out of Turnberry after protesting Trump with golf balls painted with swastikas.
Comic @RealLeeNelson thrown out of Turnberry by @realDonaldTrump for swastika stunt https://t.co/8kgjehZ53zhttps://t.co/xiEU4qjxpc
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) June 24, 2016
In terms of majors, Trump's Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, is slotted to host the 2022 PGA Championship. However, the PGA is moving the WGC Championship from Trump National Doral in Florida to the Club de Golf Chapultapec in Mexico for 2017.
In April, HBO's Real Sports reported on how many in Scotland are angry at Trump for failing to deliver on his promise to create thousands of jobs and invest billions of dollars at a luxury golf resort he built there:
More Golf:
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-- Jordan Spieth's Kid-Friendly Autograph Rules Should Set Example
-- Muhammad Ali Only Played Golf Once, But The Story Is Incredible
Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
