Trump course loses PGA Grand Slam over Mexico comments
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf has been moved from Donald Trump’s course in Los Angeles in the wake of the US presidential candidate’s controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants.
Golf’s most influential organisations distanced themselves last week from Trump’s views on immigration, which were expressed when the 69-year-old announced his decision to stand for president in June.
Today it was announced the Grand Slam of Golf – a 36-hole event contested by the year’s major champions – would not take place as scheduled at Trump National in Los Angeles on October 20-21.
A statement from the PGA of America read: “The PGA of America met with Donald J Trump yesterday and the parties mutually agreed that it is in the best interest of all not to conduct the 2015 PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Trump National, Los Angeles.
“The PGA of America is in the process of exploring options, including a venue for its annual PGA Junior League Golf Championship (due to take place earlier in the week) and will comment further at the appropriate time.”
Announcing his decision to stand for president last month, Trump aired his views on immigration, saying: ”When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you.
“They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Last week Trump told the Golf Channel: ”(I have) tremendous support from the golf world because they all know I’m right. I’ve been great to golf. I’ve been investing while everybody else was fleeing.”
However, a day later the PGA of America, PGA Tour, USGA and LPGA issued a joint statement which read: ”In response to Mr Trump’s comments about the golf industry ’knowing he is right’ in regards to his recent statements about Mexican immigrants, we feel compelled to clarify that those remarks do not reflect the views of our organisations.
”While the LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour and USGA do not usually comment on Presidential politics, Mr Trump’s comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.”
The following day the R&A and European Tour issued statements “echoing the sentiments” of the other organisations, although the European Tour does not currently have a direct link with Trump.
Trump, 69, owns courses that have ties to all other major golf organisations. The WGC-Cadillac Championship is played at Trump National Doral in Miami and the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open is at Trump International Golf Club in Puerto Rico.
Both the 2017 US Women’s Open and the 2022 US PGA Championship are due to be staged at Trump National in New Jersey.
The Senior PGA Championship will be played at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia in 2017 and Trump Golf Links Ferry Point outside New York City will host The Barclays PGA Tour event in 2017.
Trump also owns Turnberry, which is on the Open Championship rota and staged the most recent of its four Opens in 2009.
