General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOK. I have a question. Who are trump's golfing buddies when he plays?
I don't think I remember any names be bantered about as to who is teeing off with him.
Ohiogal
(31,963 posts)Another bag of s***
MineralMan
(146,284 posts)golf courses. Only rarely are photos available.
PJMcK
(22,025 posts)...everyone is excluded from private golf courses and clubs. That's how the 1% wants it.
The whole concept of a private golf club is rather dull, in my opinion. To join most private clubs, one has to plunk down a substantial non-refundable membership fee, (it generally becomes part of the club's endowment and can range anywhere from several thousand dollars to a million or more). Then the new member must spend a certain amount of money at the club every month in greens fees and cart rentals, food and beverages, stuff from the pro shop, etc. Worst of all, from my point of view as a recreational golfer, you have to play the same course week after week because you have to pay those minimums and be seen by your fellow members.
Trump, of course, is a strange case unto himself. I cannot imagine spending an afternoon golfing with him.
MineralMan
(146,284 posts)It just closed for good. In the Minneapolis St. Paul area, there are dozens of golf courses, but younger people are not taking up golf. It's expensive, takes a long time to play a round, and it's a pretty boring game to most people. One by one, courses are shutting down around here.
The one near me takes up a couple hundred acres in the northeastern corner of St. Paul. It was sold about three years ago, and the buyer kept it open until this year. Since it's on a busy major street intersection, it's going to get developed. The areas near those busy streets will become some sort of retail center. Then, there are going to be some condos, apartment buildings, etc. built on other parts of the property, along with expensive homes on the rest of the property. There's a long stretch of the property that backs up to a street in the residential neighborhood where I live. I expect single family homes to be built there, but large ones, not like the post-WWII homes that were built nearby.
It's going to be interesting to see how that development changes this neighborhood and surrounding area. I'm not so much looking forward to it. It's one of just a couple of areas of land that can be developed in the City of St. Paul, so the developers are eager to maximize the return on their investment.
But, it's no longer a golf course. That time is over.
PJMcK
(22,025 posts)The property was designed for a specific use and now it will never be that way again. It reminds me of Joni Mitchell's song, "Big Yellow Taxi," (They paved paradise And put up a parking lot.), or Manhattan Transfer's "The Jungle Pioneer," (Day by day dark is illuminated, God's mistake altered and uncreated. Wrongs made right left to the jungle pioneer.)
There's a former course near our mountain house that's been closed for years and the 130-acre property won't sell. It's a beautiful location near Bethel, NY (site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival) and it's on a small lake. Strange that a developer hasn't snatched it up.
I must take exception to your comments about golf although I recognize they are your opinions. Golf can be very modest in cost if one plays at daily-fee courses where a membership isn't required. For example, there's a public course on Long Island, NY that costs $24 if you walk instead of renting a motor cart. So, if the round last about 5 hours, that's less than $5/hour for entertainment and a healthy walk of about 6 or 7 miles. Even doubling the cost to $50/round=$10/hour is not outrageous. By contrast, Trump has a course in The Bronx that costs $240 for the greens fee plus $50 for the mandatory motor cart. Ridiculous, plus I don't want to give him any of my money.
The time it takes to play a round can seem long to a non-player but I assure you that most golfers get to the 18th tee and wish there were more holes to play! That's because many people find it an exciting game. I'm sure that the huge number of fans that turn out for the US Open or the Masters don't find it boring. Plus, there's a lot of big money involved so the audience must find it very exciting.
It strikes me that it would be a very difficult business to run a golf course in an area of the country where you have to close for 5 or 6 months of the year. I couldn't run my music business on that schedule! Many East Coast and Southern courses stay open year-round and that business model makes more sense but these are just my observations.
Most often, I'll go golfing by myself and the Starter will pair me with 1 to 3 other players as most courses don't want singles on the course. This means that I often get to meet new and interesting people from all walks of life. In this respect, golf is a great equalizer since your game is the only thing anyone will judge you on. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, old or young or any other category, all that matters is can you play the game. Through programs like The First Tee and other school programs, many young people take up the game and play. In my experiences, I've met numerous youngsters who have excellent etiquette and most often their swings are superior to mine!
And yet, I understand your point of view. I find basketball and hockey to be very dull but I see the dedication of the fans and the success of those businesses.
One closing thought and it's a key point for me: I prefer to do things rather than watch others do them. Golf is one of the things I can do.
MineralMan
(146,284 posts)a developer. Now, the planning stage is under way. I can assure you that it will not remain empty for long. Not in this city.
The cost of playing golf is prohibitive for most young folks. And that's part of the problem. It may not seem out of sight to you, but for most millennials who are paying off student loans and working for less money than they expected, golfing isn't that attractive.
Still, there will be courses on which you can play for as long as you're able to play, I'm sure.
PJMcK
(22,025 posts)In addition to their massive student loans, their entry-level positions don't generally pay enough to allow for many non-essential-- and even some essential-- expenses.
Interestingly, those same young people will not be able to buy the homes in your new development. Nonetheless, the homes will sell and probably for a lot of money.
I'm not worried about finding courses to play since my part of the country is loaded with lots of golf. Actually, I've developed a bucket list item to play in all 50 states. I'm up to 36 and looking to a Southern swing late this Autumn to pick up a few more.
Enjoy your week, MineralMan.
PJMcK
(22,025 posts)Sorry. Really, I'm sorry.
KentuckyWoman
(6,679 posts)PJMcK
(22,025 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,661 posts)ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)Satan is in the habit of stealing his balls, and that is why Rump can never relax on the course.
KentuckyWoman
(6,679 posts)Sorry no I'm wrong... that was in July..... My fault. Didn't do my homework first, but leaving it here maybe it will answer the question.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)Orange hair dye and some executive from the company that makes his Depends.
IggleDuer
(964 posts)... Why does Trumo hate our troops?
rurallib
(62,406 posts)Just sayin'
Brother Buzz
(36,412 posts)Which most people are.
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)No golfer wants to play with anyone who cheats.