Trump's Quote in September Golf Magazine

[Josh_Lesnik]

In the September Issue of Golf Magazine (Top 100 issue), Donald Trump says that his course in LA is better then Pebble Beach and Bandon Dunes.  He then calls Bandon a wasteland ("Its unfair to compare a course in LA to one in a wasteland far away from civilization").  

Didn't they use to refer to Linksland as wasteland many years ago because it was no good for farming or really any use, other then sheep grazing, thus, perfect for golf?  

I was just wondering what you all thought about his comments?  

[Jay Flemma]

Drag him over carpet tacks and dip him in rubbing alcohol.

[Dan Kelly]

Remember "Barnum"? The musical?

We need someone to write a musical called "Trump." Now. While he's still alive to see it.

[JSlonis]

Josh,

It's best not to even give his comments a second thought or better yet, never read them in the first place.  There are far better things to do than bother with what Trump has "trumped up" lately....especially when it comes to golf.  To him, spending oodles of $$$ makes it better in his mind.

[Kalen Braley]

Sounds like the Trumpster now recognizes its a threat because its on his radar, and he's bagged on it.

Due to his insecurities, he normally only trashes on the real competition and ignores the pretenders.

[Jim Nugent]

When it comes to golf, he's a buffoon who thinks he can buy/bluster his way to golf course fame.  He doesn't understand that he is wrong.    

[John Nixon]

Did he call Bandon a wasteland, or say it's "in" a wasteland?  There is a difference. Not that he's right, I'd say LA is the wasteland.

[Brad Tufts]

The thing that bothers me the most about Trump's course in LA is that EVEN IF you look at it with a completely open mind, it is not a very good golf course.  

I can say it isn't horrible, but the layout is shoehorned on a very very severe site overlooking one of the best panoramas on the West Coast.  If you want to argue about sites or scenic lookouts, Trump LA has many things going for it.  But if you want to argue about anything involving traditional golf, the course fails on almost every level.  Even if Trump contends that his course represents "the future of golf design," it has been proven that golf design is headed in the completely opposite direction of over-manufactured and ornamental.  Case in point: Bandon.

Not to mention, Trump contends that everything he does is the "best," so why does he make his guests hit off mats on weekdays when they are paying a $240 greens fee? (full disclosure, I played it as a rater, so Trump did not suck me in to paying a greens fee)

I don't like to give Trump "airtime" either, but when you look at the comments logically, it becomes that much more comical.  How can he possibly delude himself into thinking the things he says about a few of his properties are true?

[Brian_Ewen]

And here was me thinking he was starting to get it  

""We are not going to come in with waterfalls and build walls. We are not going to do what we would do in Las Vegas. We have great respect for Scotland and I understand what a Scottish product should be," he said.""[/i]

[Kalen Braley]

The thing that bothers me the most about Trump's course in LA is that EVEN IF you look at it with a completely open mind, it is not a very good golf course.  

I can say it isn't horrible, but the layout is shoehorned on a very very severe site overlooking one of the best panoramas on the West Coast.  If you want to argue about sites or scenic lookouts, Trump LA has many things going for it.  But if you want to argue about anything involving traditional golf, the course fails on almost every level.  Even if Trump contends that his course represents "the future of golf design," it has been proven that golf design is headed in the completely opposite direction of over-manufactured and ornamental.  Case in point: Bandon.

Not to mention, Trump contends that everything he does is the "best," so why does he make his guests hit off mats on weekdays when they are paying a $240 greens fee? (full disclosure, I played it as a rater, so Trump did not suck me in to paying a greens fee)

I don't like to give Trump "airtime" either, but when you look at the comments logically, it becomes that much more comical.  How can he possibly delude himself into thinking the things he says about a few of his properties are true?

When my wife and I went out there earlier this year we drove by the course to have a look.  Even my wife who knows zero about golf said, "I don't get it, whats with all the fake waterfalls and unnatural look to the place...I'm not impressed"

That was enough said in my book.  IMO, while the views are indeed spectacular, and the clubhouse is top notch, the course was very much lacking.  The fairways were very narrow and everything looked to sit on top of each other.  It looked like a hard hat would be required on some of the holes.

And to think of the money he poured into it....

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

He's just in a funk because he's bleeding money:

AP
Trump Entertainment 2Q Loss Widens
Tuesday August 7, 9:08 am ET  
Trump Entertainment 2nd-Quarter Loss Widens As Gaming Revenue Declines

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. said Tuesday its second-quarter loss widened as gaming revenue fell, partly due to increased regional competition.
The casino operator reported a loss of $13.5 million, or 43 cents per share, versus a loss of $4.9 million, or 16 cents per share, in the prior-year period.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected a loss of 25 cents per share.

Revenue for the quarter declined to $244.2 million, down 5 percent from $256 million a year ago.

Analysts projected revenue of $244.5 million.

Gaming revenue slipped to $249.1 million from $272.9 million. Trump Taj Mahal revenue fell to $122 from $132.1 million, while Trump Plaza revenue slipped to $68.2 million from $76.9 million. Revenue at the Trump Marina dipped to $58.9 million from $64 million.

The company said quarterly revenue was hurt by increased competition from Pennsylvania and New York, the promotional environment in Atlantic City and a smoking ban there.

Revenue per available room -- a metric also known as revpar -- increased 13.3 percent, to $82.51 from $72.85.

[Michael Dugger]

You wouldn't be biased at all would you Josh?

Nobody with any intelligence gives what Trump says the time of day.

Our thoughts?  You already know our thoughts.

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Welcome Josh.  We don't waste much time with The Donald.
 
Stay tuned and some meaty discussions occur on occasion.

[Dan Kelly]

"There Is a Sucker Born Every Minute," from "Barnum":

There is a sucker born every minute
Each time the second hand sweeps to the top
Like dandelions up they pop,
Their ears so big, their eyes so wide.
And though I feed ‘em bonafide baloney
With no truth in it
Why you can bet I’ll find some rube to buy my corn.
‘Cause there’s a sure-as-shooting sucker born a minute,
And I’m referrin’ to the minute you were born.

Each blessed hour brings sixty of ‘em
Each time the wooden cuckoo shows his face
Another sucker takes his place,
And plunks his quarter on the line
To buy my brand of genuine malarky.
God bless and love ‘em!
But don’t feel sad or hoppin’ mad or cause a scene
‘Cause there’s a sure-as-shooting sucker born a minute,
But M’am you mighta been the minute in between.

There is a sucker born every minute
Each time the second hand sweeps to the top
Like dandelions up they pop,
Their ears so big, their eyes so wide.
And though my tale is bonafide baloney,
Just let me spin it,
And ain’t no man who can resist me wait and see
‘Cause there’s a sure-as-shooting sucker born a minute,
And friends the biggest one excluding none is me!

[John Kavanaugh]

Trump makes a great point.  There is a difference between urban and rural golf.  They should not be judged by the same criteria.

[Kalen Braley]

Trump makes a great point.  There is a difference between urban and rural golf.  They should not be judged by the same criteria.

Your right on cue John, coming in with the opposing view.  And I'll even humor you on this one....

So Olympic Club, San Fran Golf Club, Riviera, Pine Valley, etc, etc, etc,

All in urban areas.  All world class courses.  What gives here John??

[John Kavanaugh]

I'm not sure about the classification of a Pine Valley but the urban nature of The Riviera is just another piece that makes the place so great.  Being a rural inhabitant I hold a special place for great urban courses.

[Dan Kelly]

Being a rural inhabitant I hold a special place for great urban courses.

Curiosity:

Was any of them "urban" when it was built? Or have the cities filled in around them?

[John Kavanaugh]

I of course gave away my copy of the history of LACC but from what I recall it did indeed begin on an urban corner with coffee cans for holes.

[John Kavanaugh]

In taking a look at the 1924 aerial of The Riveria site it is clear to me that it was already an urban site by LA standards.

[Patrick_Mucci]

JakaB,

I think you have a valid point.

Destination golf courses should be examined in a different light for a variety of reasons.

[John Kavanaugh]

Thank you.  One thing that has become very important to me recently is on site lodging.  I do enjoy discussing the days events over a cocktail or two and there is nothing like the 24 hour golf immersement.  Not to mention the sanctity of waking up and walking to the first tee.  When you can combine this with the pleasure of a classic urban course it is hard to beat.

Staying in the Sam Sneed room overlooking the first tee at The Riviera while knowing the city awaits just in case is utopia.

[Dan Kelly]

Staying in the Sam Sneed room overlooking the first tee at The Riviera while knowing the city awaits just in case is utopia.

Somebody's gonna have to ask "Just in case ... what?" -- but it ain't gonna be me!

[George_Bahto]

Sounds like he's intimidated, doesn't it Josh? - a level he hasn't been able to get his course to

gb