Let us go back in time to March 2, 2015.

That week, the golf world was gearing up towards what was the biggest event on the PGA Tour schedule up to that point – the WGC-Cadillac Championship. The event was going to be held at what was once called the TPC Blue Monster, but has now been renamed Trump National Doral after billionaire Donald Trump purchased the course in 2011.

The event might as well been known as The Donald Trump Invitational. Trump’s helicopter was in plain view right on the grounds of the golf course. Trump himself not only held a press conference, but was featured many times during the television broadcast. After Rory McIlroy famously tossed one of his clubs into the lake, Trump sent a scuba diver to collect the club from the water and, on Sunday, Trump personally delivered the club to McIlroy. The announcers, the PGA Tour, and most of the players were throwing praises at Trump as he hosted this event.

Fast forward four months, and the world of golf is trying their best to keep Trump at an arms length.

A few weeks ago, Trump announced he was running for President of the United States in very Trumpian fashion. In the middle of that speech, Trump made some remarks on Mexican immigrants that created a firestorm of backlash.

When Mexico sends their people, they’re not sending their best.” Trump said during his campaign announcement. “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

These comments have made almost every industry turn their back on Trump. Retail giant Macy’s, which sells the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection of shirts, ties, suits and cufflinks, announced that they would be dropping the Trump items from their stores. NBC announced they not only will not air Trump’s “Miss USA” pageant, but was also putting an end to Trump’s show “The Apprentice.”

All of the relationships Trump has formed seem to be coming to an end…except his relationship with golf. When Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte asked if his comments were going to cause a strain in his relationship with the golf community, Trump seemed certain that it would not.

I’ve had tremendous support from the golf world, because they all know I’m right,” Trump said. “I’ve been great to golf. I’ve been investing while everybody else was fleeing.”

The four major governing bodies, always seeming to lag behind in certain aspects of the world, finally released a statement following Trump’s interview with Rosaforte.

In response to Mr. Trump’s comments about the golf industry ‘knowing he is right’ in regards to his recent statements about Mexican immigrants, we feel compelled to clarify that those remarks do not reflect the views of our organizations,” the statement read. “While the LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour and USGA do not usually comment on Presidential politics, Mr. Trump’s comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.” 

Trump has become a power broker in golf, buying several golf courses and throwing all kinds of money into design, and being rewarded with golf tournaments. Not only is his courses the host for the WGC-Cadillac Championship as well as the Puerto Rico Open, but Trump National Bedminster was awarded the 2017 US Women’s Open, as well as the 2022 PGA Championship. Trump also purchased Turnberry in Scotland, a course that has hosted several Open Championships. Despite their statement that they “do not reflect the views of their organizations”, they certainly are in no hurry to end their relationship with Trump.

Part of that is because Trump is right – he has invested in the game of golf when others have fled. Trump kept throwing money into golf courses in the middle of the economic recession, and is being rewarded for it. He openly embraces a relationship with the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour when other big name businessmen became attracted to much larger sports. Trump is seen as someone who has “saved” golf, despite that not necessarily being the case, and so the golf world feels as if they owe him.

Here is the kicker – it is not like the world of golf was unaware of Trump’s baggage before becoming involved with him. Trump briefly discussed the possibility of running for President during the 2012 election, and made several speeches questioning whether or not President Barack Obama was born in the United States. In 2011, he once claimed to make a lot of money in China because he “understood the Chinese mind.”

Even as far back as 1999, Trump was making controversial remarks. When toying with the idea of running for president in 2000, Trump said “I think the only difference between me and the other candidates is that I’m more honest and my women are more beautiful.

Trump owning some golf courses would not be a major problem for the major governing bodies of golf if Trump weren't the major focus of all the golf tournaments that were held on these courses. Back in March, there wasn't an hour of the golf tournament that was televised that didn't mention Trump in some capacity. He was even in the announce booth commenting on the golf tournament, a position usually reserved for legends of the sport, such as Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer. Trump isn't just an owner of the course, he is the host of the tournament and the sole reason anyone is there.

In the end, nothing will happen. Trump will continue to make controversial remarks, and the world of golf will still tell people that they don’t agree with them while simultaneously accepting his money.

And then the major players within the sport will unironically ask why they aren’t attracting more people to the game.

VAVEL Logo
About the author