That's too bad. He should build luxury homes, or any homes really, on the range and all 18 holes.
The land it is on is ill-suited for golf. Being Trumpified adds another reason to avoid it. I walked off after nine holes.
I completely disagree with this, or at least not entirely agree with the majority of it.
I used to drive by that land,and think to myself that it screamed golf course. The existing land was much more rolling and had fescue/stypa like grasses blowing on it mixed between the California Coastal scrub and it ALWAYS warranted stopping, getting out of the car and looking, thinking, drewming. If only I had my iPhone back then to take pictures!
When the golf course was planned, whether it be the powers that be or THE DYE'S (meaning Pete and Perry) the course ran into the most dreadful curse of the Palos Verdes local authorities who deem what can and cannot be done out there. Given the great land that should have been far more protected and has since become houses, there should have been more welcoming arms into making it a most natural and fun golf course as its next door predecessor, "The Royal Palms."
Situated just due South of Trump National-Los Angeles was a course designed, built and routed by William Park Bell, which basically eliminated the thought of having to walk the terrain because you literally played your way through the steeper parts of it. From accounts, it was fun, quirky and glamorous, as it and the oceanside palazzo below it were going to be the celebration of life in Southern California in the roaring 1920's. Sadly, the course died rather quickly due to the Great Depression and by 1934, was vacated by the bank who owned the notes on her. This didnt stop the Golf-starved former members from wanting to play the course, as they would continue to take one day a week on Friday to come out and mow it with the club's equipment which had been left to rust away and die. They would then spend the weekend playing golf there up until the new owners of the property eventually forbade them from doing so several years later. The double-structured clubhouse would eventually be burnt down by kids playing with matches and the site was razed for housing and a trailer park. The only surviving piece of it-- the once welcoming "Gate House" and the actual entry gate for the club. The work of it, seriously of some great craftsmanship and has to be seen to be appreciated!
The course was on a similar nature of land as the current Trump-LA, and not to suggest Pete didn't know what he was doing, Billy Bell didn't have the regulations thrown at him like Pete did for that property. Pete left without nearly the involvement he intended, leaving it to Perry, well we know can imagine what happened from there.
As far as Trump-LA for us lovers of great architecture, I can certainly say this: beyond the lack of defining architecture, I can certainly say it's an absolutely glorious day to be out there with a slight to medium breeze, Catalina sitting out there where you feel you can literally reach out and touch Avalon and its famed Casino. It's the perfect golf setting, and frankly, being as snobby as they come when it concerns great architecture, I love the day out there! Frankly, that's what it's all about! Of course, I have every idea set in my mind how to make the place better, which holes to completely analyze and dream if someday getting the opportunity to blow them up and put in something far better. But I could never come close to the love of the wonderful atmosphere and humble staff that work there. Many of them have been there since the day the Zuckerman's opened it with great dreams, only to hit one speed bump after another till they could do no more. These same staff, Mr. Trump, the guy we all love to hate, still employs there, knowing how much they love the place, from club manager, course superintendent, first tee/cart guy, food servers and other staff. Director of Golf, Joe Lewis is a champ!