Scotland Ready To Turn On Donald Trump?

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The first golf-related ramifications from Donald Trump's recent comments on Muslims and immigration may be coming to fruition, though the pushback from Scotland is largely ceremonial at this point.

Karla Adam reports for the Washington Post on Trump's op-ed in the Press and Journal, one of Scotland's oldest newspapers, responding to politicians who are attempting to send a message to the Republican frontrunner.

On Wednesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon dropped him as a business ambassador, revoking his membership in the GlobalScot business network. The Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen also stripped the billionaire developer of his honorary degree for statements it said were “wholly incompatible” with the values of the university.

“If they – Nicola Sturgeon and RGU – were going to do this, they should have informed me prior to my major investment in this £200million development, which will totally revitalise that vast region of Scotland,” Trump wrote in the Press and Journal.

Of course they had no idea what comments Trump would make, so the statement about informing him before his investment was a bit silly. There was, however, the obligatory reference to Trump International's greatness...

“I have done so much for Scotland, including building Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, which has received the highest accolades, and is what many believe to be one of the greatest golf courses anywhere in the world,” he wrote.

“Additionally, I have made a significant investment in the redevelopment of the iconic Turnberry Resort, which will have massive ballrooms, complete room refurbishments, a new golf course and a total rebuilding of the world famous Ailsa course to the highest standards and specifications of the Royal & Ancient,” he said.

Since the Scottish government helps sponsor the Scottish Open, the prospects of rumored dates at Trump International are looking increasingly unlikely.

The R&A essentially tabled all Trump talk this summer when the topic involved Mexican immigrants (ahh...how those days look so quaint). The PGA of America pulled the Grand Slam of Golf from Trump Los Angeles, but remains committed to Trump Bedminster for the 2022 PGA Championship.