Turnberry: ‘We cannot wait’ to host The Open again
It’s many people’s idea of Britain’s best course but Turnberry has been in Open exile for more than a decade.
The Ailsa course, which was transformed five years ago by Martin Ebert, has been absent from our TV screens since Tom Watson nearly pulled off a major miracle in 2009.
Back in January, the R&A announced the Open wouldn’t be returning “in the foreseeable future” as the fallout from owner Donald Trump’s American presidency reverberated across the world.
But in our latest episode of the NCG Top 100s podcast, Turnberry’s director of golf, Ricky Hall, said the resort one day hoped to see the championship come back, declaring they were “ready, willing, and able to host the Open”.
“Obviously, the R&A has said that it won’t be at this time but, as and when it is right for it to come back, we cannot wait,” he said.
“To see the best players in the world playing the golf course as it is now – it would be so sad if that wasn’t at some time in the near future. It will be a thrill when it comes.
“All that we can really say at this time is that we’re ready, willing, and able and here’s hoping it will be sometime soon.”
Find out more on the NCG Podcast
Turnberry’s been the site of some of not only The Open’s most memorable moments but golf’s in general, whether it was the Duel in the Sun between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, or one of the finest 18 holes in major championship history when Greg Norman scorched round in a memorable Sunday 64.
Instantly recognisable with just a glimpse of its famous lighthouse and reborn thanks to a stunning transformation, its Ailsa course must be on every serious golfer’s bucket list.
Dan Murphy and Steve Carroll chatted with Director of Golf Ricky Hall and architect Martin Ebert about the legendary layout, and dived a little deeper on their Open ambitions.
Listen in the player below, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
