Trump And His Relationship With Golf

Former President Donald Trump is closely associated to the world of golf. His involvement spans decades. Beginning in 1999, he set out on a mission to acquire and develop golf courses under the Trump Organization. By the time he became president in 2016, he was already the owner of 17 golf courses worldwide. All of the courses played host to prestigious PGA and LPGA events, including the 2022 PGA Championship. However, following the 2021 Capitol attack, fallout ensued.

Throughout his presidency, Trump retained ownership of his beloved golf courses- unlike his predecessors. However, the move was heavily scrutinized due to a potential conflict of interest. Lawsuits then began to emerge, with allegations of violations of the Emoluments Clause due to foreign payments at Trump properties. However, despite the legal setbacks, Trump often demanded his frequent outings. He claimed it was beneficial for fostering relationships with lawmakers and advancing his agenda.

According to Golf Digest, he boasted a low handicap of 2.8, a figure contested in Rick Reilly’s book “Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump.” Trump has made several investments in top-tier courses like the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

However, much like his bid for re-election, his tenure as a golf mogul was not without controversy. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he made several insensitive remarks about immigrants. This subsequently prompted backlash from the golf community, culminating in many corporate entities severing ties with him. Furthermore, the PGA also made the decision to relocate events from Trump-owned courses.

Throughout his presidency, Trump’s golf outings garnered the public’s criticism several times. This was especially in light of him criticizing former President Barack Obama’s for the same golf habits. Reports indicate that Trump visited his own courses hundreds of times during his term. Ethical concerns were raised about profiting from presidential visits and membership fees.

In more recent news, Trump’s management of Trump Links at Ferry Point, New York, faced termination by New York City officials. They cited contractual breaches and the fallout from the Capitol insurrection as the reason. However, on thing is certain: Trump’s influence on gold remains undeniable.