PGA, USGA, LPGA stick with Donald Trump despite controversial comments

Though other companies and organizations are cutting ties with Donald Trump following his inflammatory comments about Mexican immigrants, the golf world is continuing to do business with the Republican presidential candidate.

NBC, Univision and Macy’s have cut ties with the real estate mogul following his comments, but the PGA of America, the LPGA, the USGA and the PGA Tour will go forward with their previously scheduled plans to host tournaments on his courses.

The PGA of America’s Grand Slam of Golf is scheduled to take place in October at Trump National Los Angeles, and Trump Turnberry in Scotland is set to host the LPGA Tour’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at the end of this month, though that event is run by the Ladies Golf Union.

There are “no plans to alter any of our upcoming venues,” LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan told the Associated Press.

In 2017, the USGA is set to hold the U.S. Women’s Open at Trump National in Bedminster, N.J., and the Senior PGA Championship at Trump National in Potomac Falls, Va. The PGA Championship is scheduled to be held on a Trump-owned course in 2022.

“I’ve had tremendous support from the golf world, because they all know I’m right,” Trump, who owns 18 golf courses, told the Golf Channel. “I’ve been great to golf. I’ve been investing while everybody else was fleeing.”

The golf organizations did distance themselves from Trump’s comments linking Mexican immigrants to crime and rape.

“In response to Mr. Trump’s comments about the golf industry ‘knowing he is right’ in regards to his recent statements about Mexican immigrants, we feel compelled to clarify that those remarks do not reflect the views of our organizations,” the groups said in a joint statement, according to the Associated Press. “While the LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour and USGA do not usually comment on presidential politics, Mr. Trump’s comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.”

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