The PGA of America has opted not to conduct the 2015 PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., property, in response to Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Hispanics. The ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic will also move to Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach, Calif.
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 Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. 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.
ESPN announced yesterday that it is moving its ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic from the same venue next week to protest Donald Trump’s remarks about Mexican immigrants, the Torrance, Calif.-based Daily Breeze reported.
The July 14 charity tournament will instead be held at the Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach, Calif., according to a news release. The ESPY Awards, held each year to highlight team and individual athletic achievement, will be held the following day at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, the Daily Breeze reported.
“We decided it was appropriate to change the venue, and are grateful for the opportunity to stage the event at Pelican Hill on short notice,” the network said in a statement. “This charity outing benefits The V Foundation’s Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, providing resources for important cancer research for minority populations, including Hispanics and African-Americans.
“Our decision reflects our deep feelings for our former colleague and support for inclusion of all sports fans. Diversity and inclusion are core values at ESPN and our decision also supports that commitment.”
ESPN is the latest organization to distance itself from Trump in reaction to his remarks at his presidential campaign kickoff speech on June 16, when he said illegal immigrants from Mexico are “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”
C&RB reported on the golf industry’s reactions to Trump’s comments last week (“LPGA, The PGA of America, PGA Tour, USGA Comment on Trump Controversy”).
Lili Amini, General Manager of Trump National Golf Club, could not be reached by the Daily Breeze for comment. A representative of the Trump Organization in New York also could not be reached.
On Saturday, the Daily Breeze reported that the L.A. Galaxy Foundation is looking for a new venue to hold its third annual charity tournament that was slated October 9 for the 261-acre cliffside golf club “due to remarks that do not reflect our club’s values of respect and diversity.”
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