Over the weekend, Trump Turnberry made headlines—not for a golfing spectacle, but for a politically motivated act of vandalism. Activists from the group Palestine Action responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial statements about Gaza with a dramatic protest.
Trump Turnberry: When Politics Reaches the Fairway
Typically known for its pristine fairways and stunning coastal views, Turnberry presented a very different picture this weekend: the words “Gaza is not for sale” were painted in large letters across the grass, red paint was splattered on the clubhouse walls, and parts of the course were dug up. Pro-Palestinian activists gained access to the property overnight to protest Trump’s remarks on Gaza’s future. Police Scotland launched an investigation into property damage, while the resort’s management assured that operations would continue as normal.
BREAKING: Palestine Action wreck Trump's golf course in Turnberry, Scotland.
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) March 8, 2025
"GAZA IS NOT FOR SALE" is sprayed across the lawn and the golf course's holes are dug up.
Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his property, he should know his own property is within reach. pic.twitter.com/ZoH8joHEYi
Why Trump Turnberry Became a Target
The protest was orchestrated by Palestine Action, a group opposing Trump’s idea of placing Gaza under U.S. control and relocating the Palestinian population. In their statement, the activists accused Trump of treating Gaza as if it were his own real estate—so they decided to demonstrate that even his own property is not beyond reach.
Trump Turnberry’s management swiftly condemned the protest, calling it a “childish, criminal act,” but emphasized that the resort would continue to operate as usual. The controversy surrounding the incident, however, extends far beyond Scotland, as Trump’s Middle East comments have sparked global debate.
Trump Turnberry and The Open Championship: A Closed Door for the R&A?
There is little debate about Trump Turnberry’s status as a world-class golf course. The Ailsa Course has hosted The Open Championship four times, most recently in 2009. However, since Trump acquired the resort in 2014, it has disappeared from the major championship circuit.
The R&A, which oversees The Open, has suggested that Trump’s association with the course is a distraction and that the venue’s infrastructure does not fully meet modern major championship standards. While Turnberry consistently ranks among the world’s best golf courses, the question remains whether it will ever host The Open again.