Donald Trump’s golf course in Aberdeenshire has faced increasing financial losses in the year 2023, despite a rise in turnover. The pre-tax losses nearly doubled to £1.4 million from £738,344, even though turnover increased to £37.4m from £3.6m in the previous year. This marks the 11th consecutive year of losses for Trump International Scotland, with the total deficit exceeding £16m.
The directors of the golf course, Donald Jr and Eric Trump, remain committed to their vision for the property and anticipate a positive fiscal improvement in the medium to long term. A new 18-hole links course is set to open next summer, alongside the existing championship course.
While sales increased in all revenue streams, there was a significant rise in tournament and marketing expenditures. The business is making substantial investments to support its long-term strategic growth.
On the other hand, the Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire reported a surge in pre-tax profits, reaching £3.8m in 2023. This is the second year in a row that the resort has reported a profit after several years of losses. Despite a slight decrease in total turnover, golf revenues increased by 35% compared to the previous year.
Turnberry made headlines by announcing premium fees of up to £1,000 per round to play the Ailsa course, making it the most expensive in the UK. The resort was acquired by Donald Trump in 2014, and even though he stepped down as a director after becoming US president, he still retains a financial interest in the property.
Overall, while Trump’s Aberdeen golf course faces financial challenges, Turnberry has seen a positive financial turnaround in recent years. The future development of both properties will be closely watched to see how they navigate the competitive golf industry landscape.
