Turnberry resort has been transformed into an “American prison”, complete with high fencing and “sniper towers”, for Donald Trump’s visit.

DONALD Trump took to his five-star golf course just over a year after he survived an assassination attempt – and was followed by an armour-plated buggy. The US president, 79, was trailed by

Donald Trump is about to fly into the UK, not on a state visit or diplomatic mission but something that to his mind is almost as important, if not more so. He is visiting the golf courses he owns in Aberdeenshire and at Turnberry on Scotland’s west coast.

Donald Trump was recently seen back on the range at the Turnberry Resort. Trump purchased Scotland's historic Turnberry Golf Resort for $60 million from Dubai-based Leisurecorp.

Turnberry is not the only Scottish links being ignored by the R&A. Muirfield, located along the Firth of Forth east of Edinburgh, is reputed to be the purest of links courses. Its first Open was in 1892, and there have been 15 others, most recently in 2013 won by Phil Mickelson. Only St. Andrews has hosted more Opens than Muirfield.

In his first State of the R&A press conference since taking over the CEO role late last year, Mark Darbon fielded questions about the viability of at least three highly regarded courses – Turnberry, Muirfield and Portmarneck – with an open date on the calendar looming.

A deal was struck after European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen met with the US President at his golf resort in South Ayrshire.

A slight antidote to the aggressive show of security was hearing some classics blaring from where the golf caddies were huddled, including Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl, shortly after Mr Trump teed off at about 10am.