comment Steve Elling

Donald Trump. Duncan Chard for The National

Donald Trump is an easy target. The carefully coiffed thatch of fescue covering his head is fodder for hours of comedic fun, all by itself.

Q: Do you know how Trump combs his hair?

A: He sticks his head in a cotton-candy machine.

Sure, the American billionaire is unabashedly self-promoting and personifies what many would characterise as a typical Yank. But, in golf circles, he has been a one-man boon in an ocean of bust.

With the game stagnating in Europe and North America, Trump has been on a buying spree, collecting undervalued blue-chip venues like Doral, Doonbeg and Turnberry.

He visited the latter last week and outlined broad plans for the Scottish seaside gem, which is part of the British Open rotation. In other words, he purchased a piece of a future major championship. “It was one of many factors that I considered,” he said.

Trump’s investments send the message that, despite demographic data suggesting otherwise, golf remains financially viable.

He also plans an overdue redesign of several holes at Turnberry, possibly including the ninth, perhaps the worst hole in the British Open rota.

With Trump, whose company will manage a course in Dubai set to open later this year, there is always the attendant issue of ego. But in an era when few are bullish about the game, the brash billionaire is public advocate No 1.