Hope Rises For Another Season Of Trump's Wonderful World Of Golf As The Donald Passes Up Presidential Bid

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I'm struggling with the shock of the news because it just seemed like such a lock that The Donald would run, but he blinded us with today's announcement.

"I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election," Trump said in a statement on Monday. "I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."

In the end, however, his decision almost certainly had more to do with his lucrative NBC television contract for his "Apprentice" franchise than anything else. Trump was running out of time to decide whether he would sign on for another season of the "Celebrity Apprentice." Sources close to Trump said negotiations ran to the 11th hour with reports of Trump on hourly calls with NBC executives throughout the weekend who were trying to convince Trump to continue to helm the show.

There's a fun job!

"To create a great golf course -- a fair golf course - playable by all, that's my philosophy."

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Paul Gittings profiles Martin Hawtree, The Donald's second architect for his Scotland project and next in line to be blamed for something. In the meantime, he talks about creating plans and about fairness, two things you generally don't want to hear when someone is building a links course.
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Future Former-Almost Presidential Candidate Trump Would Not Play Golf If He Ran And Were Elected To The White House

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Tim Rosaforte checks in with The Donald as he ramps up the publicity tour for his Celebrity Apprentice season finale, all the while dangling his White House run that will never happen. And besides getting in a plug for his course in the D.C. area (who knew!) and complimenting Barack Obama's golf swing, he makes clear that if he were president, he would not play golf in a time of war. Which, means he'd never play golf again.
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MGWA Clearly Out Of Families To Give Awards To!

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I'm going to guess you'll be able to spot which one stands out there...

The MGWA is pleased to announce the honorees for the 2011 National Awards Dinner: Ernie Els, the Winnie Palmer Award, for his foundation work on behalf of autism; CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, the Lincoln Werden Golf Journalism Award; Donald J. Trump Family, Family of the Year; Metropolis Country Club, Club of the Year; Nationwide Insurance, the Bing Crosby Tournament Sponsor Award; Mary Bea Porter-King, Distinguished Service Award.  

No Pun Intended: Trump Bedminster Considered As U.S. Open Armageddon Option

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Ron Sirak reports that the USGA has looked at Trump Bedminster as an emergency option in case of issues with a host site.

"The subject of 'what if Armageddon happens' has been discussed," USGA director of competitions Mike Davis told GolfDigest.com. "What if all 18 greens are dead; what if there is vandalism beyond repair; what if the weather is so bad the week of the US Open -- flooding -- you can't play; what if 9/11 happened the week of the U.S. Open? We have had this conversation the entire 21 years I have been here."

And certainly when I think of last ditch, desperation, Hail Mary options for the U.S. Open, I think The Donald!

Donald Gets Green Light To Build "The world's greatest golf course"

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Has anyone ever declared they were building the world's greatest before starting construction?

"My team will (now) finally get to work and build the world's greatest golf course for Scotland and for the great game of golf," Trump said in a news release.

"We are building on the finest piece of land I have ever seen and we will turn it into a national jewel," added Trump who possesses several championship courses around the world.