I was lucky enough to be invited to join Trumps Golf Club, an exclusive private members only golf club in Los Angeles, California, which is owned by President-elect Donald Trump and his friends. Since most people will only read the headlines, let’s take a look at what is actually happening behind the scenes.
Table of Contents
The Setup
The club’s founder is John Trumps, the Midwesterner turned LA real estate mogul who is the President-elect’s first cousin. Trumps owns several golf clubs in California and the US Virgin Islands, but this is the first time he has opened an L.A.-based private golf club. To do so, he sought the help of his friends, who are also very close to the President-elect.
Trump began working with Tom Lehman, the former chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, to establish Trumps Golf Club. They contacted Rick Smith – a golf course architect and designer who has worked with Jack Nicklaus and others – to develop a course that fits Trumps’ reputation for luxury and class. The result is a fabulous, yet unique, course that blends Scottish and American influences with lush, tropical foliage, including many massive tropical trees that are over seventy years old. It also features rock outcroppings, whitewashed concrete bunkers, and winding stone walls, in addition to the standard fairways, greens, and bunkers.
The Members
Anyone can join Trumps Golf Club. For $250,000 a year, members get access to the entire club, which has a maximum of 24 spaces. Those who join the club and make a minimum of twelve payments will become lifetime members, and will also get a free pass to the secondary school of their choice in LA. In addition, they will get a tour of the White House, and can participate in White House Social Events. Finally, as an added bonus, they will become eligible for a series of annual gold outings, where they can network with other high-profile members and enjoy some of the finest meals and luxurious amenities that the club has to offer.
In addition to Trumps and Lehman, Smith, and Nicklaus, some of the other prominent members of the club include Marjorie Merriweather Post – one of the earliest female millionaires and the founder of _The Washington Post_ – and Ted Turner, the media mogul and founder of CNN. In fact, Turner is so prominent that he is on the club’s invitation list as well.
The Amenities
Apart from the gorgeous golf course, Trumps Golf Club also has a private pool that is suitable for relaxing and enjoying in the Southern California sun, with views of the surrounding hills and city. There is also a private movie theater that shows first-run movies. In addition, the club has a fully equipped fitness center with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a fully stocked sauna, and a fully stocked library. What’s more, the club provides round-the-clock butlers, chefs, and house managers to ensure that every moment is orchestrated perfectly – as it should be for a member of Trumps Golf Club. Also, the club provides a concierge service, whereby members can request anything from delivery to dry cleaning to groceries to housekeeping. Finally, every apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, and dining room, so members can prepare their own meals whenever they want. All in all, it’s a fabulous setup, and a glimpse into what a top-notch life could look like for the President-elect and his friends.
The Scandals
While it’s great that the President-elect and his friends are enjoying an opulent lifestyle, there have been a few scandals. The most recent one involves alleged mistreatment of undocumented workers at Trump Tower in New York. However, those who know Trump say that he is a man of his word and that he would not condone such behavior. In addition, Trump maintains that the workers are grateful for the work experience and that he has treated them with dignity and respect.
Who’s Playing?
The most interesting part of Trumps Golf Club is the who’s playing. While the members are mostly very famous high-profile individuals, the course is open to the general public on designated weekdays (membership not required). Anyone can walk through the front gates and play the course, though, of course, not all will be good enough to play well. That’s how it should be – the cream of society playing a well-designed, fabulous course. It’s also a great opportunity for beginners to play in a friendly environment and get some pointers from the pros. There is no cost to play the course beyond the price of golf, but there is an initiation fee of $250,000 a year, in addition to a $25,000 joining fee.
So, if you’re looking to join a gym and get some exercise, or if you’re an avid golfer and want to improve your game, or if you’re an entrepreneur who wants to attract investment – the memberships at Trumps Golf Club represent a golden opportunity to make your dream a reality.