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Opening Shot

Trump Card

John F. Kennedy, who was quite the
accomplished golfer, would often
break 80 on his scorecard. Perhaps no
president played a larger role in the
growth of the sport than Dwight D.
Eisenhower, infamous for installing a
White House putting green. Notoriety
was also bestowed upon President
Gerald Ford, not for his level of
excellent play but for his tendency to
shank chili peppers into the crowds at a PGA pro-am event. Now I have never used
this magazine as a forum for my political views, and I’m not about to get on a soap
box and throw my hat into someone’s ring. But at this time, I feel the need to look
at the resumé of possibly the 45th president of the United States as it applies to the
game of golf.
The potential Republican nominee, Donald Trump, and
golf go hand in hand, literally. Not only is he an avid
player but part of his huge business portfolio includes
developing and renovating some of the finest golf
courses found not only in the United States but world-
wide. The oft controversial politician/businessman’s
ideas and suggestions have at times put the major golf
powers, including the PGA of America and PGA Tour, in
precarious positions. While golf always tries to hold on
to its traditions and gentlemen’s game image, Trump’s
political bull horn is like Al Czervik’s car horn blaring
on the first tee at Bushwood in Caddyshack. Needless
to say, Trump’s positive influence on the sport of golf
comes with a lot of baggage.
Of the 17 golf courses that Trump owns around the world, several hold or are in
line to play host to some of golf’s biggest events. The WGC-Cadillac Championship
is held each year at Trump National Doral in Miami. His course in New Jersey is
set to host the U.S. Women’s Open in 2017 and the PGA Championship in 2022.
Trump purchased Lowe’s Island right in our backyard in 2009 for $13 million and
sunk millions into remodeling the entire layout and taking out hundreds of trees to
open up views of the Potomac River. Now named Trump National Golf Club, it will
accommodate the Senior PGA Championship next year.
From the standpoint as a business owner who is involved in the sport of golf, I’m
cautiously optimistic as to what Trump’s effect on our sport will be if he is elected.
Does he turn the south lawn of the White House into a driving range? Will Masters
Friday be a National Holiday? Will his good friend, John Daly, be his secretary of
defense? I am sure of one thing. If Mr. Trump takes the oath to lead our nation for
the next four years, golf will once again be represented loudly and clearly in the
oval office, much to the chagrin of some of the sport’s major factions.

2 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM