Donald Trump currently owns four golf courses in the United States: Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York; Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey; Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida; and Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles, California
Trump National Golf Club at Briarcliff Manor is a Jim Fazio design that has a lot of water and even more length. Over 3 million cubic yards of dirt were moved during construction of the par-72, 7,291-yard course, which is located on the site of the now-defunct Briar Hall Golf and Country Club. The result is a course that requires carries over man-made lakes and streams, navigation around enormous, immaculate white bunkers, and approach shots into greens that are nearly as large as the wallet of the man who commissioned their existence.
The crown jewel of Trump National is the par-3 13th. When it comes to everything in his life, Trump doesn’t just give 100%, he gives 101... feet, that is. The 101-foot black granite waterfall that lords over the 13th green like a pit boss behind a rookie blackjack dealer at one of Trump’s casinos is one of the most spectacular sights in golf. All things in life come with a price, though, and Trump’s man-made beauty comes with a bit more than most—$7 million for the 13th hole alone. The course’s $300,000 membership price tag limits the clientele to the richest of the rich, and since its opening in the summer of 2002, the club has become a meeting ground for New York’s business elite. Now in its fifth year, Trump National Golf Club at Briarcliff Manor has proven that it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as New York’s best courses.
Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey is located just minutes from the United States Golf Association’s headquarters. This 7,560-yard monster (from the tips) is one of the longest courses in the country. Trump has not commented on why he likes his courses so long, but perhaps the fact that he can afford the best drivers on the market has something to do with it. A good golfer himself, Trump is about a 6 handicap.
Opened in 2004, Trump’s Bedminster course has been positioned by The Donald (both geographically and qualitatively) to appeal to the sensibilities of the USGA for major tournament consideration. The course itself is off to an almost unheard of start, already finishing in Golf Magazine’s list of the top 100 courses in the world in only its second year of existence. Part of the draw of the course comes from the appeal of hitting challenging but fair shots. Bunkers are placed in the most devious of positions, and the greens, some of the largest in America, will hold most approach shots, but they may also leave golfers with the always-fun 150-foot putt.
With an amazing array of awesome approaches, Trump National at Bedminster is what golf is all about. Breathtaking panoramic overviews of the historic countryside sweeten the view from this Tom Fazio design, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the course continue to skyrocket up the list of the world’s best. The grounds are also home to a three-tiered driving range, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, numerous riding trails, and a spa, among other amenities.
Trump International in West Palm Beach may be closer to stardom than any of Trump’s other beauties. Many publications have it ranked as the #2 course in Florida, behind only the Seminole Golf Club, which is ranked in the top 10 nationally by Golf Digest. Opened for play in 1999, Trump International is the eldest in the Trump golf family. Since 2001, it has played host to the season-ending ADT Championship, the LPGA’s most prestigious non-major tournament in which only the top 30 players are invited to play. The event, played in mid-November, was won last year by Annika Sorenstam.
Much like the rest of Trump’s courses, Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach spared no expense in creating a completely unique, high-end golf course. Designer Jim Fazio moved over two million cubic yards of earth, transplanted 5,000 trees, and created a bevy of water hazards in turning Trump International into a golfer’s fantasy. The final cost of the project totaled approximately $40 million.
Complementing the course is a world-class resort that is also among the best in the state. In the highly competitive Floridian tourist industry, Trump International is at the top of the list.
Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles. Is the other Trump course to have hosted a professional event. For all of the extravagance Trump has shown in the past, the effort he put into his L.A. course was nothing short of Herculean.
Trump bought the property in 2002 for $27 million from the previous owners, three years after a massive landslide caused the 18th hole to fall into the ocean and open up a pit that measured over 1,500 feet long, 400 feet wide, and 70 feet deep. Trump, undeterred by the damaga, brought an
engineering team in to rebuild the devastated terrain. Using over 100 concrete filled, 20-foot long steel pipes, $8 million worth of a special fabric that is normally used in dam construction, and tons of dirt, the 18th hole was rebuilt.
This course features a gasp-inducing view of the Pacific Ocean on nearly every hole. The ocean tightly borders many of the holes, punishing inaccuracy off the tee. The course plays host to the LPGA Office Depot Championship, held during the last week of September.
The best thing about the course isn’t the views or the rebuilding of the 18th hole. Unlike any of his other domestic courses, Trump’s Los Angeles course is open to the public. Greens fees range from $200 and $300, but the opportunity to experience the course that Trump calls “better than Pebble Beach” is worth the price of admission.
Every one of Trump’s courses is meticulously cared for and features shots that can’t be found anywhere else. While they may never eclipse the titans of American golf, the Trump courses are on their way towards reserving a yearly spot near the top of the rankings.
They say money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can build a golf course. Each of Trump’s courses is home to a smattering of unique sights and shots. With extremely well manicured greens and fairways and tasteful touches such as granite tee box steps and Waterford chandeliers in the clubhouse, Trump really does know golf.
