Two years on, he’s as good as his word
It was two years ago that the world’s most controversial billionaire announced he was snapping up Turnberry.
Back then, Donald J. Trump – no ordinary golf resort owner – pledged to transform a quiet corner of South Ayrshire.
Like the man or loathe him, it would be fair to say he’s been good on his word.
A whopping £ 200million and one American Presidential bid later, Trump is currently one of the world’s hottest stories.
Hence why more than 400 journalists followed his every move at Turnberry on Friday as he cut the ribbon on his new- look resort. From all corners of the States and even Australia, they had travelled in search of a Trump headline.
Flying in as he did just hours after Britain had voted to leave the EU merely added to the circus.
Since his arrival in 2014, I’ve sat down with Trump once and interviewed him another twice by phone.
It goes without saying he is a fascinating character and for people in our game, he’s box office material. It is astonishing, therefore, to think the man who could soon be the leader of the free world owns a golf course in our own back yard.
Whether by accident or design, Trump’s business interests such as Turnberry have been dragged into the White House spotlight with him in recent months.
Why else would you see that magnificent resort crawling with Secret Service and resembling the set of Men In Black, such as it was on Friday.
But aside from all that Trump brings with him, what cannot be denied is his dedication to Turnberry.
Those who know him best describe his passion for the course and that hotel, a place he refers to as “his baby”.
The man clearly won’t be winning many popularlity contests around the globe. But it would appear he’s knocked his Turnberry project right out of the park.