GBR Weekly | Trump Turnberry Profits Rise as Scottish Golf Venues Attract Record Overseas Visitors
Connecting the dots across golf’s business, media, and professional landscape.
Hello, GBR community,
The sleepless nights and number of diaper changes are mounting rapidly as our new little bundle of joy gets settled in. Apologies that we are still back to full capacity on the newsletter. Still, it’s time to take a small break from fatherly duties to delve into what’s been happening in the golf industry this week and pick out some of the key stories.
US President Donald Trump’s golf empire comes under the microscope this week, with a new report out detailing how his two Scottish courses have performed financially in 2024. Is it good news for President Trump? Read on to find out.
Enjoy your weekend, we’ll be back next week.
TRUMP’S SCOTTISH GOLF COURSES NARROW LOSSES AMID SURGE IN REVENUE
Donald Trump’s Scottish golf resorts, Turnberry in Ayrshire and Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, have both reported narrower financial losses for 2024 despite heavy ongoing investment in luxury tourism and course development. Accounts filed this week show that Trump Turnberry’s revenue rose 15% to £24.2 million, driven by higher visitor numbers, luxury travel groups, and surging demand for its premium golf experience, where green fees now exceed £1,000 per round. Operating profit more than doubled to £2.3 million, but a £2.9 million depreciation charge pushed the business to a pre-tax loss of £631,779, an improvement on the £1.7 million loss recorded the previous year. Meanwhile, Trump International Golf Links saw turnover climb 22% to £4.5 million, reducing losses to £937,693 compared with £1.4 million in 2023, helped by increased international visibility from hosting events such as the PGA Seniors Championship in August.
Eric Trump, the former president’s son and executive vice-president of the Trump Organization, said both properties were now benefiting from sustained investment and a revival in overseas tourism. “The revenue increase was driven by luxury travel groups and leisure visitors to Turnberry, while the golf business outperformed expectations,” he said. “Ownership remains steadfastly committed to their vision for the properties and confidently foresees a positive fiscal improvement as the investment activities flow through in the medium and longer term.” Turnberry, which employs over 440 staff, has undergone extensive refurbishment since Trump purchased it from Leisurecorp in 2014 for around $60 million. While The R&A has not staged The Open there since 2009 due to political sensitivities, new feasibility studies suggest the course may yet return to the championship rota. In Aberdeenshire, the Trump Organization continues to expand, with Trump inaugurating a second course by architect Martin Hawtree in 2024 as part of a plan to position the coastal estate as a global golf destination. Both sites achieved record turnover last year, according to Sarah Malone, EVP of Trump International Scotland, who said the properties had “benefited from major capital investments to further expand and enhance their world-ranked golf courses and leisure facilities.” Neither business declared a dividend for the year. Jamie Young’s report for Business Matters can be found here.
Additional Reading
Lily Mae Lazarus’ piece in Fortune takes a closer look at how the UK-based Trump courses operate as a business.
With green fees of £1000, many Americans are not being put off by the prospect of playing Turnberry, according to James Warrington’s article for The Telegraph.
NEW LOW-COST UK GOLF TEE TIME PLATFORM AIMS TO BOOST CLUB REVENUES
A new online platform, UK Golf Courses, has officially launched with the aim of revolutionising tee time bookings across the country by combining low commission rates with proven technology and industry know-how. The service, powered by Online Teetimes, has already facilitated more than 2.3 million bookings over the past decade through its network of technology partners and is now operating via www.UKGolfCourses.co.uk, offering clubs one of the most affordable digital booking solutions in the market.
The new platform integrates web, mobile app, and social media channels to help golf clubs, driving ranges, and simulator centres reach new and existing players more efficiently. Expansion plans for 2025–26 include adding lesson bookings with PGA professionals, corporate and society packages, and golf club memberships to the platform. “When we started online tee booking in the early 2000s, it was an emerging convenience for tech-savvy golfers — now it’s how millions book their rounds,” said Paul Heeney of Online Teetimes. “This platform is less expensive to maintain, meaning lower commission rates for clubs. Payments are made instantly through Stripe Connect, and clubs also get a free lead-generation tool for memberships and packages.” Heeney added that the company’s focus is now on rebuilding its course directory to pre-pandemic levels ahead of the 2026 season: “With UK Golf Courses, we’re helping facilities maximise digital visibility, increase visitor and membership sales, and do so without charging massive commissions.”
FIVE IRON GOLF TO OPEN FLAGSHIP BROOKLYN VENUE IN 2026
Five Iron Golf has announced plans for a new venue to be situated in Brooklyn, signing a lease for more than 15,856 square feet at 25 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, with an opening set for fall 2026.
The flagship venue will feature 13 Trackman simulators, a 7,000-square-foot gym, luxury locker rooms, and a full bar and kitchen, making it the largest indoor golf facility in Brooklyn. “We’ve had our sights set on Brooklyn for a long time,” said Jared Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf. “It’s a community known for creativity, authenticity, and energy—all values that have defined Five Iron since day one. 25 Kent Avenue gives us the perfect platform to deliver an elevated experience that blends sport, fitness, art, and social connection.”
The new facility will blend Five Iron’s mixture of performance and lifestyle, offering professional coaching, Callaway Tour Fitting, and recovery spaces alongside a vibrant social atmosphere and art collaborations with local Brooklyn creators. Craig Panzirer, Senior Vice President of Global Holdings Management Group, said the new addition “will energize the ground floor, drive foot traffic, and add real value for our tenants.” Five Iron Golf press release.
TAYLORMADE TO OPEN FIRST EUROPEAN KINGDOM FITTING FACILITY AT THE GROVE IN 2026
TaylorMade has announced plans to open its first European Kingdom fitting and testing facility at The Grove, one of the UK’s most prestigious golf resorts, in Spring 2026. Modeled after TaylorMade’s The Kingdom at its global headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the new UK site will offer golfers of all levels the same elite-level custom fitting experience enjoyed by Tour stars such as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Charley Hull, and Tommy Fleetwood.
The new facility will feature three state-of-the-art fitting bays, a putting studio, a custom workshop, and a player lounge, using Trackman, Foresight, GEARS, and Quintic technologies to deliver precision data and personalisation. “We’re delighted to unveil our first The Kingdom location outside of the United States at The Grove,” said David Abeles, President & CEO of TaylorMade Golf. “This facility is a tangible sign that our strategy in customisation and personalisation is thriving and will help strengthen the global position of our brand.” Designed with sustainability in mind, the timber-structured building will incorporate hidden solar panels, while Kyle Phillips Golf Course Design is redeveloping The Grove’s 7.4-acre range and 4,000-square-metre short game area to mirror The Kingdom’s Carlsbad aesthetic. Set within 8.5 acres of dedicated golf terrain, including 40 newly planted trees, The Kingdom at The Grove is poised to become Europe’s leading destination for golf fitting, performance, and innovation. Troon Golf press release.
GOLF APPS BECOME ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT AS TECH TRANSFORMS THE GAME
Mobile technology has become an integral part of golf, with a new National Golf Foundation (NGF) report revealing that more than 75% of Core golfers—those who play eight or more rounds a year—now use at least one golf-specific app. As golf continues its digital evolution, usage of mobile tools for stat tracking (+13%), score posting (+7%), and GPS distance measurement (+7%) has risen sharply since 2020, reflecting how deeply golfers have embraced technology on and off the course. With Core golfer participation at its highest in nearly 20 years, the number of players integrating digital tools into their routines continues to climb. Once considered a novelty, golf apps have now become as common as rangefinders or GPS watches, offering convenience, community, and insight in equal measure. The NGF report notes that this digital shift—accelerated by the Covid era’s demand for contactless booking and check-in systems—has opened new opportunities for course operators through integrated tee time systems, loyalty programs, and handicap tracking tools. As the sport becomes more data-driven, golf’s long-standing love of numbers is finding a natural home in mobile technology—a trend the NGF predicts will only deepen in the years ahead. More details of the National Golf Foundation’s findings can be viewed here.
TAKOMO GOLF BECOMES OFFICIAL CLUB SUPPLIER FOR RUFF GOLF’S EUROPEAN INDOOR VENUES
Indoor golf entertainment brand RUFF Golf has announced a new partnership with Takomo Golf, naming the Finnish equipment maker the official supplier of rental and demo clubs across all 17 RUFF venues in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. The collaboration gives every visitor the chance to play with Takomo’s premium, high-performance clubs during their indoor rounds, aligning two brands known for innovation and design excellence. “This partnership guarantees top-quality equipment every time customers walk into a RUFF venue,” said Alexander Bengtsson, RUFF’s CEO and founder. “Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned golfer, you’ll have access to modern, high-performance clubs that make the experience even more enjoyable.” For Takomo, which operates a direct-to-consumer retail model, the deal marks a strategic step in expanding its European reach. Joonas Laasila, Takomo’s Head of Partnerships & Influencer Marketing, added, “Their elegant, innovative spaces reflect our own design philosophy, making RUFF an ideal partner.” The collaboration will also include joint events and activations, helping both brands connect more deeply with Europe’s fast-growing indoor golf community. Golf Business News.
PGA TOUR ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP SHAKE-UP TO DRIVE GROWTH AND FAN ENGAGEMENT
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has unveiled a significant restructuring of the organization’s senior leadership, introducing two high-profile hires and expanding the responsibilities of key executives to strengthen operations and commercial strategy. Dhruv Prasad joins as Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing global partnerships, media, broadcasting, events, and corporate strategy, while Paul Hicks steps in as Executive Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Policy, tasked with leading the Tour’s communications and government relations efforts. Both will report directly to Rolapp, who said the changes are designed “to further integrate our teams and add new capabilities to accelerate our growth, for the benefit of our fans, players and partners.”
Andy Weitz, who became Chief Marketing Officer in 2024, will now oversee all content creation, analytics, and technology under an expanded PGA Tour Studios division, while Neera Shetty, the Tour’s Chief Legal Officer, will assume interim oversight of administrative functions, including talent, culture, and community engagement. The changes follow the planned retirements of Chief Administrative Officer Allison Keller and Chief Commercial Officer Rick Anderson, along with Len Brown’s transition to Special Advisor. More details of the new recruits to the senior leadership of the PGA Tour can be found here.
PGA TOUR’S RETURN TO TRUMP DORAL IN 2026 WITH CADILLAC AS EXPECTED TITLE SPONSOR
A decade after the PGA Tour departed Miami, the circuit is preparing a high-profile return to Trump National Doral in 2026, and likely with a familiar partner. According to multiple industry sources, Cadillac, which sponsored the WGC Cadillac Championship at Doral from 2011 to 2016, is expected to reclaim naming rights for the new Miami Championship, scheduled for April 30–May 3, 2026, as part of the PGA Tour’s elevated Signature Events series.
The Tour’s exit from Doral in 2016 followed Cadillac’s withdrawal as title sponsor, though then-commissioner Tim Finchem denied speculation that political controversy surrounding Donald Trump influenced the decision. Cadillac’s anticipated return comes as title sponsorship costs continue to climb, with Signature Event deals now averaging $25–30 million per year and multi-year commitments standard across the schedule. The deal, once finalized, would mark Cadillac’s renewed push into global sports marketing and restore Miami’s long-held place on the PGA Tour calendar. Josh Carpenter, Sports Business Journal.
PXG EXPANDS ZT PUTTER LINE WITH NEW MUSTANG MODEL FOR BLADE PURISTS
PXG has introduced the Battle Ready II Mustang, the latest addition to its Zero Torque (ZT) putter lineup. The Battle Ready II Mustang has the distinction of being a classic blade design that promises mallet-like stability without sacrificing traditional aesthetics. Precision-milled from 303 stainless steel, the Mustang features PXG’s signature S-hosel design, positioning the shaft just above the club’s center of gravity to eliminate torque and promote a natural toe-up balance for more consistent, on-line rolls.
The company’s patented S-Cor polymer inside the head serves dual functions — dampening vibration for a softer feel and redistributing weight from the center to the perimeter for enhanced forgiveness. Additional performance details include:
The Pyramid Face Pattern is used to minimize skidding and ensure a smoother roll.
Adjustable headweight (standard 365g) through a precision weighting system.
Four-degree loft (effectively three, factoring forward shaft lean).
“The Mustang takes everything we’ve learned from our high-MOI mallets and puts it into a blade design that feels and performs unlike anything else,” a PXG spokesperson said. Available now through PXG retail stores, fitters, and pxg.com, RRP $449.99 (£334.99, €384.99).
In a recent Front Office Sports report, David Rumsey examines what the future holds for Tiger Woods after it was revealed he underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery to address persistent back pain and mobility issues, describing the procedure as a necessary step for his long-term health. While Woods, now 49, wasn’t expected to return to peak competitive form in 2026, the news carries broader implications for golf’s business ecosystem, particularly for TGL, the tech-driven league he co-founded, and the PGA Tour Champions, where his eventual participation had been a point of speculation.
In Lightspeed’s guide to golf course newsletter best practices, the company highlights how effective email newsletters can boost engagement, strengthen brand loyalty, and drive bookings. Drawing on survey data from over 300 North American golfers—more than half of whom prefer weekly updates—the article outlines seven actionable steps to create newsletters that inform rather than overwhelm. From refining design and tone to balancing promotion with value, it’s a practical roadmap for any course looking to improve its digital communication strategy.
Brittany Olizarowicz’s article for My Golf Spy uses Shot Scope’s Strokes Gained data to analyze where golfers lose the most strokes, both per shot and across a full round. It finds that the most “costly” shots (in terms of strokes lost vs. a scratch benchmark) are in the 176–200 yard range. However, over the course of a round, the cumulative losses from tee shots on very long holes (e.g., 351 yards and above) actually contribute more to one’s total score deficit.