Today the PGA of America made the following announcement regarding the PGA Grand Slam of Golf” “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, and will comment further at the appropriate time.” This is a strong turn or events for Trump who, in May 2014, met with The PGA of America to celebrate their new partnership with The Trump Organization, selecting Trump National Golf Club — Bedminster, N.J. as the site of the 2022 PGA Championship and Trump National Golf Club — Washington, D.C., in Potomac Falls, Va., as the site of the 2017 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid. Other sports venues and agencies have also started to distance themselves from Trump including ESPN, LPGA, ESPY and many others.
It was also announced that in August 2022, Trump National Golf Club — Bedminster will host the 104th PGA Championship, which will mark the third New Jersey course to host a PGA Championship and the Championship’s fourth overall visit to the state. The 78th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid in May 2017 at Trump National Golf Club — Washington, D.C., will be the first time the most historic and prestigious championship in senior golf will be conducted in Virginia.
Donald J. Trump has come under harsh fire by critics who denounce his statements that claimed that illegal immigration from Mexico has led to an influx of “rapists” and “killers” entering the United States through its southern border. Despite widespread criticism for his comments, Trump has insisted that they are “totally accurate.” The PGA has called Trump’s comments “inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.”
Trump is chairman and president of The Trump Organization, which owns 16 world-class golf properties throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East, not including the spectacular Trump National Doral, the 800-acre facility that Mr. Trump has just rebuilt.
The African American Golfer’s Digest reached out for leadership response at several major organizations and we received the following:
“We’re glad to learn the PGA of America has acted swiftly and appropriately to these insensitive statements. As a country we’ve come too far with regards to race relations, yet we still have so far to go. Statements like his move us backwards rather than forward, and we hope the consequences help send a message that inappropriate remarks or actions will no longer be tolerated. As a PGA Member, it’s so important for our organization to take a stand on individuals or groups that make insensitive statements that make individuals feel discriminated against.”
—Jeff Dunovant, Executive Director, National Black Golf Hall of Fame
“The PGA has worked very hard over the past two decades to reform the image of golf from that of exclusion and intolerance to that of a sport that is inclusive of and welcoming to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity or economic background. Given the insensitive and inflammatory remarks of Donald Trump, it was important for the PGA to move its Grand Slam event, to protect its brand (and those of its corporate sponsors) and the integrity of the sport. Beyond its own self interest, it is also the right thing to do.”
—Alfred A. Edmond Jr., Senior VP/Executive Editor-at-Large, Black Enterprise
“The United Black Golfers Association (UBGA) joins the PGA in condemning the racist statements made by Donald Trump. In 2015, there should be no resting place nor hiding place for such statements and sentiments. Therefore, UBGA will continue to stand with the PGA to address any statements, practices, or policies that attempt to denigrate or discriminate based on color, creed, ethnicity, or national origin.”
—Vernel Bennett, President/Founder, United Black Golfers Association
“The PGA has done the right thing by disassociating itself and thereby repudiating Donald Trump’s hate speech directed at people of Mexican descent.”
—Marc Morial, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Urban League
“We support the decision of the PGA of America to move the PGA Grand Slam from Donald Trumps’ golf course. Their actions send a clear message that Mr.Trumps’ tactless remarks towards individuals or groups are no longer acceptable, without repercussions. It is important to respect the
dignity and culture of all races. We applaud the PGA of America for taking a strong stance against discriminatory statements.”
— Clemmie C. Perry, Executive Director, Women of Color Golf (WOCG)
“I whole heartily applaud the decision of the PGA to move the Grand Slam from Donald Trump’s Golf Course. As we think about the celebration of the recent decision about the LBGT, let us not forget that the road is still long and that we have a lot of work to do to make sure that there is equity for all of us. Latino and Black Lives Matter!”
—Arif Khatib, Founder/President of the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame
We are pleased to support the PGA’s decision to move its event in its continued effort to build an inclusive culture within the golf industry.
—LaJean Gould, President/Founder, Women In Golf Foundation, Inc.
