While the timetable of the Open Championship (ever) returning to Turnberry remains in question, the famed Scottish golf course can claim something else starting in 2025: The most expensive green fee. On the planet.
The Donald Trump-owned track last hosted the Open in 2009, five years before the future U.S. President purchased the property. The R&A has looked elsewhere to host its major championship since with former chief executive Martin Slumbers saying in 2022 that the organization, “had no plans to stage any of our championships at Turnberry and will not do so in the foreseeable future. We will not return until we are convinced that the focus will be on the championship, the players and the course itself and we do not believe that is achievable in the current circumstances.”
But now it’s set to take over the top spot on a more unofficial ranking of highest green fees. According to UKGolfGuy on Twitter—and confirmed by Bunkered Magazine—the peak green fee for Turnberry’s Ailsa Course will cost £1,000 beginning in 2025. Yep, that’s 1,000 pounds for one round.
At the current conversion rate, that comes out to $1,276.52. That puts it slightly ahead of Shadow Creek’s $1,250 price tag. Although at Shadow Creek, you also have to be staying at an MGM property in Las Vegas to even have a chance to get out there.
As UKGolfGuy also notes, the Ailsa Course only costs that much for non-hotel residents playing in peak season before 1 p.m. After 1 p.m., that price drops to £545. And those staying at the resort’s hotel will also pay less. It’s part of a business strategy to get more people to stay on site and give hotel guests a better opportunity to get a tee time.
“Staying in the hotel and playing the Ailsa will come in some way under £1,000, so it’s better value to do it that way,” Turnberry’s general manager Nic Oldham told Bunkered. “That’s better for the golfer, because they’re getting a full five-star experience, but it’s also better for Turnberry.”
Turnberry’s Ailsa Course has hosted the Open Championship four times, including the famed “Duel In The Sun” won by Tom Watson over Jack Nicklaus in 1977 and Watson’s near-win in 2009 at age 59.
In any event, the bar for most expensive green fee has been raised for now. Your move next, Shadow Creek.
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