THERE is still a $15 million clubhouse to build and a growing membership to stabilize, but it won’t be long before Donald Trump turns his attention to luring a major golf tournament to his new, spectacular Trump National Golf Club.
“I’d love to have tournaments,” Trump said following a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the $40 million facility at Briarcliff Manor. “It sets up well for tournaments. The ninth hole has thousands of square yards of area for people to watch. The 18th hole has room, too. I believe we will have very important tournaments at Trump National.”
Don’t be surprised if the LPGA Tour takes a strong look at Trump National should it consider moving its Big Apple Classic from Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle. Gloria Park of South Korea won this year’s Big Apple Classic last Sunday, ending a week where many of the players grumbled about the conditions of the greens. Bumpy, slow and inconsistent speeds were the main complaints.
Wykagyl officials blamed the year-long drought and a July 4th power outage that shut down the sprinkler system for the ills of the greens. But this was the second straight year conditions weren’t to the players’ liking. Unlike this year when the greens where shaggy, the greens last year were more dirt than grass. Unless Wykagyl can solve its problems next year, the LPGA could be looking for a new venue and Trump National should be at the top of the list.
Trump already has a relationship with the LPGA. His Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach is currently the site of the LPGA’s Tyco/ADT Championship played in November. Trump National is being touted as an even better layout.
Trump, along with famed architect Jim Fazio, fashioned Trump National out of the former Briar Hall Country Club. Some six years in the planning and production, the beautiful par-72 course measures 7,291 yards from the championship tees and features man-made lakes, winding brooks, impressive stone work and a spectacular 100-foot waterfall behind the par-3 13th hole.
“It exceeded expectations,” Trump said. “I do a lot of things that are high end. Sometimes you do a lot of good things and they come out good. But not as good as your expectations. This came out better than our expectations. We’ll have the best course in the state.”
Play a round at Trump National and there are no signs of a slumping stock market and no signs of corporate fraud or any other economic troubles. All you see is nature shaped by a gorgeous makeover with not-so-subtle touches of extravagance that can make the privileged feel … well, privileged. The private club has attracted 211 members, each of whom paid $300,000 to join. Do the math and it’s clear Trump National is already a success.
“It’s been very easy,” Trump said. “Maybe the fact that it’s called Trump National helps.”
It’s a name that could attract the eye of the LPGA and other professional tours.
