News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


Patrick_Mucci

Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« on: December 18, 2012, 04:12:14 PM »
That was the title of yesterday's "New York Post" article on Trump's most recent acquisition/s.

Friday night Trump invited 320 members and/or former members of the Ritz-Carlton in Jupiter, which he just acquired, to a dinner to explain his plans for the course.

Membership in the Ritz-Carlton was declining when Trump made the purchase in November.

The article stated that the rounds of golf have fallen every year since 2007, with declines of .5 %, 1.8 %, .6 %, 2.3 % and 2.5 %.

In light of the decline in play, Trump continues to acquire golf courses, 12 in all with Doral, Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte and Ferry Point being his latest acquistions.

So what does he know that no one else seems to know ?

As to the "deal" offered to members of the Ritz, Trump indicated that he would pump money into the facility, including tweaking the golf course.

In addition, Trump indicated that Ritz members will be given reciprocity at all of the other Trump clubs in Florida, including Mar-a-Lago, a non-golf facility on the ocean in Palm Beach.

This would mean that they would have playing privileges at Doral and Trump Palm Beach as part of their membership at the Ritz ?

If you were a member of the Ritz, would this be a good deal ?

P.S. 
I'm going to inquire and see if he offers International memberships as I know that Jon Wiggett, Mark Chaplin and others are anxious to join ;D


Jon Wiggett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2012, 04:22:40 PM »
Patrick, you really are quite the little 'Trump' ra ra girl aren't you ;D

But seriously, I am sure that it will be a good deal for the members.

Patrick, I know that Donald Trump is very enthusiastic about golf and has been successful in his golfing ventures. Just because I do not agree with all his methods does not mean I don't wish him every success.

Jon

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2012, 04:50:54 PM »
Patrick, you really are quite the little 'Trump' ra ra girl aren't you ;D

But seriously, I am sure that it will be a good deal for the members.

Patrick, I know that Donald Trump is very enthusiastic about golf and has been successful in his golfing ventures. Just because I do not agree with all his methods does not mean I don't wish him every success.


Jon,

What makes you think that I agree with all his methods ?  ;D


Keith Phillips

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2012, 06:09:45 PM »
I am a 'fractional member' of the Ritz and attended the function Friday night.  While I've had mixed feelings about his approach over the years, I think it's fair to say that 'the Donald' blew away his audience that evening!  The Ritz has a terrific Nicklaus course and a great staff, but the Ritz Carlton was never a natural long-term owner and, in this market, I think members are thrilled to have the commitment and deep-pockets of the Trump group behind them.  This is the first good news those members have heard in years and - yes! the idea of accessing Mar-a-Lago and Trump West Palm etc has a certain appeal.  I have no doubt that Trump will write the checks to make the course, facilities and service even better - ultimately it will retain / attract a clientele that can afford the requisite price-point (not sure that includes me  ;D)

As to his broader golf investments, it's too early to tell whether the market will recover sufficiently to drive real value, but I view Trump as a huge net-positive for the golf business!

Adam Clayman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2012, 06:21:49 PM »

But seriously, I am sure that it will be a good deal for the members.



Until they want out.

Patrick,

It appears he's ensuring, in the short run, cash flow. Perhaps he's uber bullish, the stock market? With the expansion of the retiring baby boomers, especially all the new money, from around the beltway, he knows asset classes will yield better than 3 percent 30 yr bonds.

Access to Mar a lago, wow. What a coup.  ::)
"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life." - Mickey Mantle

Paul Gray

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2012, 06:31:25 PM »
Time to come clean Patrick. What's your cut?  ;D
In the places where golf cuts through pretension and elitism, it thrives and will continue to thrive because the simple virtues of the game and its attendant culture are allowed to be most apparent. - Tim Gavrich

Dan Byrnes

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2012, 08:22:46 PM »
Anybody know what a membership costs at this club?  Seems like it could end up being a pretty nice place to have a membership. 

Dan

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2012, 09:22:01 PM »

Time to come clean Patrick. What's your cut?  ;D

Paul,

Sadly, zero.
I wish I was that smart or that connected.

Adam,

Mar-a-Lago is a fabulous facility for lunch, dinner, tennis, beach, pool, spa and entertaining.
Having access is a nice perk.

Before Trump began acquiring golf courses, membership to Mar-a-Lago was pretty expensive.
Having it thrown into the Ritz package is a real plus.


Jason Walker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2012, 09:54:03 PM »
I am a 'fractional member' of the Ritz and attended the function Friday night.  While I've had mixed feelings about his approach over the years, I think it's fair to say that 'the Donald' blew away his audience that evening!  The Ritz has a terrific Nicklaus course and a great staff, but the Ritz Carlton was never a natural long-term owner and, in this market, I think members are thrilled to have the commitment and deep-pockets of the Trump group behind them.  This is the first good news those members have heard in years and - yes! the idea of accessing Mar-a-Lago and Trump West Palm etc has a certain appeal.  I have no doubt that Trump will write the checks to make the course, facilities and service even better - ultimately it will retain / attract a clientele that can afford the requisite price-point (not sure that includes me  ;D)

As to his broader golf investments, it's too early to tell whether the market will recover sufficiently to drive real value, but I view Trump as a huge net-positive for the golf business!

OK....someone convince me again why Trump is bad for golf in today's economy???? 

Adam Clayman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2012, 10:17:16 PM »
Patrick, the coup  is Donald's. He just upped his ability to cash flow the place.
"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life." - Mickey Mantle

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2012, 10:57:24 PM »
Adam,

Cash flow is nice, but first you have to recover your investment while at the same time paying for operations/maintainance.

I don't know what annual dues were and what they'll be in 2013, but having the option to play several additional nearby courses that are well thought of, along with access to Mar-a-Lago seemed like a pretty good deal to me.

I would imagine that access to the other non-Florida Trump courses might also be an option.
Perhaps Keith can shed some light on that

David_Elvins

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2012, 12:59:22 AM »
Pat,

You must know a bit about the courses he is buying. 

Do you think he is buying these solely as golf courses or is he looking at banking large areas of land in locations that may become favourable to develop in the future?
Ask not what GolfClubAtlas can do for you; ask what you can do for GolfClubAtlas.

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2012, 08:25:27 AM »
Pat,

You must know a bit about the courses he is buying. 

Do you think he is buying these solely as golf courses or is he looking at banking large areas of land in locations that may become favourable to develop in the future?

David,

At Trump Palm Beach, he's leasing the land from the county, so future development may not be an option.

I don't know how Doral and the Ritz are zoned, so I can't speak to the potential for future development at those sites.

Immediately adjacent to the Ritz is The Bear's Club, which raises a number of questions in and of itself.
So there's competition next door.
I've never played the The Ritz, but I understand from others that it's more "user friendly" than the Bear's Club.

Zoning and Trump's ability to alter zoning will influence the ability to develop the properties.


Josh Tarble

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2012, 10:01:01 AM »
I think this is a fantastic idea...one I've often thought of duplicating (although at a much lower price point) the concept.  Offer memberships to several high quality courses around the country, and the patron will always know he'll be welcome at a club with similar conditioning, service and so on.

Similar to one of those clubs that allow you to "rent" a sports car for a weekend.

Mark Chaplin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2012, 03:57:10 PM »
Patrick - I just had a quick look on Google earth and couldn't see any evidence of local crofters, poor people or frankly anything of merit in the area so he's welcome to it.
Cave Nil Vino

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #15 on: December 19, 2012, 04:25:33 PM »

Patrick - I just had a quick look on Google earth and couldn't see any evidence of local crofters, poor people or frankly anything of merit in the area so he's welcome to it.

Mark,

Just a few years ago it was just scrub pine and swamp, not much of anything in the way of inhabitants, just like the land to the east and west of the property.  Then, the Ritz-Carlton developed that barren land into a golf course.  I didn't hear you complain or make snide remarks about the property/course when it was under Ritz-Carlton's ownership, why the animosity toward the site/club/course since Trump acquired it ?

The club was on the decline and some felt, heading toward demise, hence some view Trump's involvement as that of a savior.

Is there something wrong with that ?


Mark Chaplin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #16 on: December 19, 2012, 04:45:32 PM »
Patrick let me know what you think of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADecI4xw-yg&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Cave Nil Vino

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #17 on: December 19, 2012, 05:21:34 PM »
Patrick let me know what you think of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADecI4xw-yg&feature=youtube_gdata_player



What do I think of the video ?
I think you've posted it on the wrong thread.
What has this got to do with the Ritz-Carlton ?

Putting that aside, I think James Trosh has presented the anti-Trump position/perspective, which was his mission.
It's certainly not an objective production in terms of presenting both sides.

Whenever CPO's or Eminent Domain is used, the land/homeowner always feels disenfranchised.
Properties/homes have values that transcend fair market value.
Everyone who's been subject to CPO or ED has a story to tell and many of those stories are touching.
But, the fact remains that the governing authority issues those CPO's/ED orders in a Macro, not a Micro context.
And as such, they're enforced for a more global good.

Time points 1:07, 2:48, 5:55 and 11:58 caught my attention, but, I'd rather expand on them in the other thread..





Mark_F

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #18 on: December 19, 2012, 05:44:49 PM »
...not much of anything in the way of inhabitants

What does this mean Patrick?  Just a few hillbillies eking out a living making moonshine?

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #19 on: December 19, 2012, 07:50:07 PM »
...not much of anything in the way of inhabitants

What does this mean Patrick? 
Just a few hillbillies eking out a living making moonshine?

Mark,

can't you read ?  Or are you just obtuse ?
It means what is typed.
The land was scrub pine and swamp, uninhabited save for lizards, snakes, racoons, etc., etc..


Mark_F

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ?
« Reply #20 on: December 19, 2012, 08:50:28 PM »
Mark,
Can't you read ?  Or are you just obtuse ?
It means what is typed.
The land was scrub pine and swamp, uninhabited save for lizards, snakes, racoons, etc., etc..

Patrick,

I can read perfectly well.  Are you capable of constructing sentences in English?

If you meant no one lived there, you should have written "Uninhabited".  :)

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Trump's "Fairway to Heaven", is it a good deal ? New
« Reply #21 on: December 19, 2012, 09:09:16 PM »

Mark,

Can't you read ?  Or are you just obtuse ?
It means what is typed.
The land was scrub pine and swamp, uninhabited save for lizards, snakes, racoons, etc., etc..
[/size]

Patrick,

I can read perfectly well.  


You'd never know it.
Didn't you read Mark Chaplin's reply # 14 ?
The one where he stated:"

 
Quote
just had a quick look on Google earth and couldn't see any evidence of local crofters, poor people or [frankly anything of merit in the area,...


NOTE the word "ANYTHING"
So, I responded:
Quote

Just a few years ago it was just scrub pine and swamp, not much of anything in the way of inhabitants, just like the land to the east and west of the property.


Didn't you bother to read or better yet understand the exchange with Mark ?
Didn't you bother to take the time, like Mark Chaplin did, to view the site on Google Earth ?

I guess not, so I guess you just spoke out of ignorance or laziness or both.


Are you capable of constructing sentences in English?[/b]

Sí, puedo construir oraciones en inglés.


If you meant no one lived there, you should have written "Uninhabited".  :)

What, and leave out the wildlife ? ;D

Now, can we get back on topic after all of the foolish diversions presented by the disgruntled "Marks"

« Last Edit: December 19, 2012, 09:19:32 PM by Patrick_Mucci »

Tags:
Tags:

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()
Back