Donald Trump comments on Pinehurst over Twitter

[BCowan]

Let's be honest, Trump's not the only one who harbors those thoughts about # 2.

Numerous people have approached me and made the same basic comments.

What golfers saw on TV this past weekend is an enormous departure from what they've been watching for the last few decades, so why the surprise when someone takes exception to the "new" look ?

Agreed, but those people aren't hands on building golf courses and aiding ''Gil'' as he claims.  There is a difference between taking exception and making idiotic tweets that a 12 year old might do! 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Let's be honest, Trump's not the only one who harbors those thoughts about # 2.

Numerous people have approached me and made the same basic comments.

What golfers saw on TV this past weekend is an enormous departure from what they've been watching for the last few decades, so why the surprise when someone takes exception to the "new" look ?

Agreed, but those people aren't hands on building golf courses and aiding ''Gil'' as he claims.  There is a difference between taking exception and making idiotic tweets that a 12 year old might do! 

NO, there isn't.

Only the medium differs

[Nigel Islam]

Pat, I know you think highly of Mr. Trump, but it would seem your personal preferences of golf courses (NGLA, Seminole, GCGC, Mountain Ridge) differ from what Mr. Trump seems to build. Do you like the courses he has bought and modified? I read your comments about Doral, and I know you felt he did a great job there with Mr. Hanse, but I would be curious to hear your thoughts on some of his other courses.

[Josh Stevens]

In his defence (god help me, I never thought I would say that) his courses are accessible, which perhaps is the greatest single failing of US golf.

Through my reciprocal arrangements I can play just about every club in Australia's top 20 for free, and with a phone call and few dollars can play all the rest.  I can equally make a call and play pretty much every course in the UK if I am prepared to stump up the cash.

In the US - I would be laughed at if I presented myself at the gates of Augusta, Cypress, Pine Valley etc etc, asking for a hit.

US golf at the top end is not only horrendously expensive, but disgustingly exclusive.  If he breaks downs the barriers then all power to him.

[Jim Nugent]

If he breaks downs the barriers then all power to him.

I really don't think that will happen.  ANGC doesn't need him.  Neither does CPC, Pebble, Shinnie, NGLA or any other elite course. 

[Scott Warren]

There is a difference between taking exception and making idiotic tweets that a 12 year old might do! 

Are you on Twitter?

[Ulrich Mayring]

I agree with Josh Stevens. In many ways it is a lot easier to run a high-end venue of the Trump style as a private members club. I'm sure he knows enough high-rollers to fill the membership roster with a few hundred wealthy people and that would be enough to support a course like Trump Aberdeen. He could even more easily call it the greatest links on earth, if hardly anyone ever got to play it. And apparently he wasn't planning to build the hotel anyway, so for just the course, why not make it private?

A public course needs to prove itself day-in, day-out and must on the high-end be constantly marketed to ensure the steady flow of greenfees. Of course it has other advantages such as no pesky committees, but it definitely takes more management skills to run it successfully. So kudos to Trump for doing it the hard way. Any Trump course does more for golf than NGLA or Shinnecock.

Of course his Pinehurst tweets are still outrageous and the man himself hard to watch. In my book he's a mixed bag for golf.

Ulrich

[Patrick_Mucci]

Pat, I know you think highly of Mr. Trump, but it would seem your personal preferences of golf courses (NGLA, Seminole, GCGC, Mountain Ridge) differ from what Mr. Trump seems to build.

Nigel,

I don't think you have a realistic understanding about courses that Trump has built

Would you list the courses that Trump has BUILT ?

I think you'll find the list rather minuscule.

Trump Scotland, which has gotten positive reviews from respected architecture critics.

Trump WPB, which many also like, although, I'm not a fan.

Trump Bedminster (new) which I prefer to the inherited Trump Bedminster (old)

Do you like the courses he has bought and modified?

That's a deliberately misleading question.
The question should be, "Do you think he's improved the courses he's purchased ?"

If I didn't like them before he purchased them, why should that be held against him ?

However, people I know, whose opinions I respect tell me that he's improved courses he's acquired.
How is that a bad thing ?


I read your comments about Doral, and I know you felt he did a great job there with Mr. Hanse, but I would be curious to hear your thoughts on some of his other courses.

I can only render an opinion on courses I've played, pre and post Trump.

I always liked Doral and that opinion remains

[BCowan]

There is a difference between taking exception and making idiotic tweets that a 12 year old might do! 

Are you on Twitter?

Nope, are you?

[BHoover]

Trump is a blowhard and a publicity hound.  He's in the business of promoting his own brand.  In that respect, his comments about Pinehurst make sense--he's trying to promote his own portfolio of courses at the expense of Pinehurst.  Frankly, I could not care less about what this buffoon believes is or is not good for golf or good architecture.  I won't be going out of my way to visit any of his courses, with the exception of Turnberry if I ever make it to Scotland.

The other thing I would add is that golf's ruling bodies and organizations should be careful about getting in bed with Trump.  He brought down the USFL and I fear for the game of golf if the USGA, R&A, PGA, PGA Tour get involved with Trump.

I do give credit to Matt Ginella for being willing to stand up against Trump in his comments about Pinehurst. 

[Nigel Islam]

Pat, I know you think highly of Mr. Trump, but it would seem your personal preferences of golf courses (NGLA, Seminole, GCGC, Mountain Ridge) differ from what Mr. Trump seems to build.

Nigel,

I don't think you have a realistic understanding about courses that Trump has built

Would you list the courses that Trump has BUILT ?

I think you'll find the list rather minuscule.

Trump Scotland, which has gotten positive reviews from respected architecture critics.

Trump WPB, which many also like, although, I'm not a fan.

Trump Bedminster (new) which I prefer to the inherited Trump Bedminster (old)

Do you like the courses he has bought and modified?

That's a deliberately misleading question.
The question should be, "Do you think he's improved the courses he's purchased ?"

If I didn't like them before he purchased them, why should that be held against him ?

However, people I know, whose opinions I respect tell me that he's improved courses he's acquired.
How is that a bad thing ?


I read your comments about Doral, and I know you felt he did a great job there with Mr. Hanse, but I would be curious to hear your thoughts on some of his other courses.

I can only render an opinion on courses I've played, pre and post Trump.

I always liked Doral and that opinion remains

Phrased poorly, and yes I agree my understanding of Trump's courses is very superficial. You answered my question though. Thank you.

[Paul Gray]

D Cronan,

Absolutely agree, although I'm not sure most here know who Kayne West is. 

[Nigel Islam]

D Cronan,

Absolutely agree, although I'm not sure most here know who Kayne West is. 

Kris Humphries's replacement?

[Jim Nugent]

I'm not sure most here know who Kayne West is. 

I listened to two of his songs: his cover of Kid Charlemagne (the great Steely Dan song); and a recent original.  Proving which generation I am from, I thought both were among the biggest messes I'd ever heard. 

[Scott Warren]

Kanye West might be a cockhead, but he's damn talented IMO.

Jay-Z has a line in a Kanye song that seems apt for a discussion of Donald Trump:

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man!"

[Sean_A]

Never heard of the guy so I randomly selected a song (it turns out I recognize his face).  A huh honey - geez Warren, what is going on with you?  Are you gettin enough sleep?  This has to be the worst song I have ever experienced. It makes Lou Reed's Machine Metal Music seem like a masterpiece   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBAtAM7vtgc

Ciao

[Scott Warren]

Sean, I'mma let you finish, but try this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elVF7oG0pQs

Or if no children or old folks are in earshot, this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3af4Gz4Daw

and this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfM_wS7qYfY

You've got to love a bloke who describes himself in song as "the best living or dead, hands down" and samples Blades Of Glory in his songs!

It's entertainment and theatre - just like The Donald!

[Sean_A]

Sean, I'mma let you finish, but try this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elVF7oG0pQs

Or if no children or old folks are in earshot, this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3af4Gz4Daw

and this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfM_wS7qYfY

You've got to love a bloke who describes himself in song as "the best living or dead, hands down" and samples Blades Of Glory in his songs!

It's entertainment and theatre - just like The Donald!

Blimey, where were those brew pubs again   

Ciao

[BCowan]

I'm not sure most here know who Kayne West is. 

I listened to two of his songs: his cover of Kid Charlemagne (the great Steely Dan song); and a recent original.  Proving which generation I am from, I thought both were among the biggest messes I'd ever heard. 

I'm bothered by the fact he covered Kid Charlemagne.  The nerve of that clown.