NY Times: Trump Name Sullying Ferry Point's U.S. Open Chance

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As Donald Trump digs in with rapist slurs directed at immigrants despite losing several business partnerships and receiving a light scolding from four of golf's five ruling families, the NY Times' Ginia Bellafante considers Trump Ferry Point, public-private partnerships and the backlash to Donald Trump.

Bellafante writes:

But how likely is it now that the United States Open, so dependent on corporate sponsorships, will be scheduled on a public course named for someone who said he is committed to building a wall at the Mexican border to keep out drug dealers and “rapists”? Although you could argue that none of his comments could have been anticipated, getting blindsided by craziness from Mr. Trump is like landing at a monastery only to be surprised that it’s quiet.

A day after Mr. Trump told the Golf Channel that he had “tremendous support from the golf world because they all know I’m right,” the country’s major professional golf associations issued a joint statement saying, “Mr. Trump’s comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.”

That followed the move on the part of NBC Universal to sever ties with Mr. Trump on his television projects and an announcement from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that it would no longer consider Trump hotels as sites for two conventions next year that make up the largest meetings of Hispanic business leaders in the country.

“He has no idea what’s coming,” the organization’s president, Javier Palomarez, told me. “The Hispanic community is really galvanized around this.”

Fortune's Daniel Roberts dredges up Trump's February comments suggesting that golf should be more aspirational than inclusive, something he's stated on many occasions. Though I've always found those comments to be more anti-Grow-The-Game initiative driven than anything sinister suggesting a hatred of the poor.

Still, with the upcoming presidential campaign likely centering on income inequality, the comments will get plenty of play.

But more problematic in the short term for Trump or paragraphs like this:

Attention could soon turn to some of Trump’s golf partners, including the PGA and Cadillac. The PGA entered into an official partnership with Trump last year. Cadillac is not a Trump sponsor but has naming rights to the WGC-Cadillac tournament, which was held this year at Trump National Doral, his course in Miami. Cadillac has a huge operation in Mexico: The Cadillac SRX is made there and accounts for some 40% of Cadillac’s U.S. sales. Cadillac had no comment for this story.

Jack And Donald Open Ferry Point...Again

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I feel like this is at least the third golden shovel event, but should be the last as Trump Ferry Point is off and running. And receiving favorable reviews.

And based on their comments Tuesday, as reported by Hank Gola in the New York Daily News, majors are still very much on their mind. However the calendar for U.S. Opens appears filled until 2024 and the PGA Championship through 2022. The course does host the Barclays in 2017.

"It's going to stand the test of time and you're going to have some great events here, whether it's a U.S. Open or PGA Championship," Nicklaus said. "You're going to have a lot of events through time. Donald and I will be in a wheelchair, but that's all right, we're going to look down at it and say we had a part in that, proud of it and we did something that is going to be enjoyed by people for a long, long time. I'm very proud of that and very pleased that we had the opportunity to be involved."

Nicklaus is in Far Hills today to open the new Nicklaus Room at Golf House.

Rich Chere with a list of items on loan for the opening, with this accompanying video featuring Mike Trostel discussing a painting anchoring the permanent exhibit hall:

Trump Moves Forward In Aberdeen; First Look At Cruden's 9th

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Donald Trump has apparently forgiven Scotland for wanting to go ahead with their ugly offshore wind turbines enough to begin pushing forward plans to build a second course in Aberdeen.

Alistair Munro reports for The Scotsman on expansion plans submitted for Trump International Golf Links, where Martin Hawtree's original design may now be getting a second Hawtree course.

Mr Trump is also of the opinion the planned offshore turbines will never see the light of day – a belief rejected by the Swedish utility firm, Vattenfall, who are behind the scheme.

The American millionaire’s applications for the golf resort include public notifications for the second golf course – The MacLeod Course, to be named after his mother who hailed from Stornoway in Lewis.

The more exciting news from that great northeastern region of Scottish golf came from the Scottish Golf Podcast's Ru Macdonald, who Tweeted a photo of the remodeled 9th at Cruden Bay by Tom Mackenzie. Never the most thrilling green complex on a course full of thrills, the 9th got by on setting and as a nice respite between the wild 8th and thrilling tee shot of the 10th. But this winter's remodel has added just zest without trying too hard to stand out. Exactly what the hole needed to quiet anyone who dared to point out a weak link on a masterpiece.

 

The State Of The Donald

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His helicopter will be strategically parked and he'll be conspicuously present this week at Doral (as well as next week for another PGA of America-related announcement), so Steve DiMeglio takes stock of Donald Trump the golf course developer.

As I told John Patrick's radio show today, love him or hate him, The Donald has an entertainer's sensibility and seems to do a nice job reminding the PGA Tour that they are, in fact, supposed to be entertaining.

Even Commissioner Moonbeam is a fan...

Trump started building courses using some of the game's best architects. Then in 2008 when the market crashed, he started buying up existing golf properties and rebuilding them.

"I've always liked to say I'm a plus 10 (handicap) at building," Trump says.

He says he has no plans to expand his golf portfolio unless the right deal comes along. Such as the 800-acre Doral resort, which he snapped up out of bankruptcy in 2012 for $150 million. Trump pumped $250 million into a tired-looking resort in need of restoration, refurbishing the 643 guest rooms, updating a 48,000-square-foot spa and rebuilding and touching up 90 holes of golf, including the 18 of the famed Blue Monster course the PGA Tour stars will tackle this week.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem says Trump is leaving a lasting mark on the sport.

"He has found a successful formula in purchasing wonderful properties like Trump National Doral Miami and then teaming with respected designers like Gil Hanse to bring these courses to their true potential," Finchem says.