Designated a National Historic Landmark, the hotel opened in 1926 and will now be part of a total of $25 million in improvements for the Miami property. “You want to keep the hotel as the icon, but not be old and musky and dreary,” the Biltmore President and CEO said in describing the planned improvements…
Ribbon Cut on New Clubhouse at Trump Golf Links in New York
The new permanent clubhouse for the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx was opened two years ahead of the stipulation for it in the contract with New York City that gave the Trump Organization the right to build the new course on a landfill. Given recent reports of declining rounds and revenues…
Report: South Florida Golf Courses a “Risky Proposition”
With several golf courses in the process of being redeveloped as housing, including The Carolina Club in Margate, Fla., developers are looking at other options for golf course properties. Pulte Group is building 645 homes at the former Hillcrest Golf & Country Club in Hollywood, Fla., while soccer superstar David Beckham is considering transforming the Melreese Country Club…
Trump Files New Challenge to Jupiter, Fla. Club’s Assessment
Each year since 2014, Jupiter Golf Club, LLC, which is owned by The Trump Organization, has sued to try to lower the assessment for a property that has been valued at $18 million by Palm Beach County. The organization has succeeded in getting tax liabilities reduced for many of its 12 U.S. club properties.
Trump Unlikely to Have “Home Course Advantage,” Analysis Shows
The Republican nominee currently trails Hillary Clinton in all six states where he owns golf courses, CBS News reported. Only two of Trump’s 12 U.S. courses are in counties that did not deliver a plurality for Barack Obama in 2012.
Want to Test Brazil’s Olympic Course? The PGA Needs Volunteers
The PGA Tour is trying to hold a test event on March 8 for the new course in Rio de Janeiro, and is even offering charter-flight transportation for participants. But scheduling conflicts has many Tour players turning down the opportunity.
Florida Clubs’ Comeback Efforts Featured by New York Times
The newspaper’s commercial real estate section devoted extensive coverage to a post-recession update on the state of South Florida’s club and course properties, including Boca West CC’s $50 million renovation and Woodmont CC’s expansion beyond golf.
Mediocre Golf Association Expands After Gaining New Fame
A Golf magazine interview with the co-founder of the amateur league for “kinda alright” players sparked new interest that’s led to over 50 requests for new chapters from around the world. Six new chapters have been formed for the nine-year-old group, which will host a sold-out World Championship event at Boulder Creek Golf Club on November 13-14.
Trump’s Criticism of Pinehurst Sets Off Twitter Firestorm
Donald Trump said the “horrible look” of the renovated Pinehurst No. 2 during the U.S. Open would “translate into poor television ratings” and contended that several of his own courses were “far superior.” Reaction included a suggestion that Trump might like Pinehurst better if it had “one of your waterfalls.”
Health Food Fads Move to Takeout
Chia seeds, quinoa and almond milk lead the list of healthy foods and ingredients that are trending highest on restaurants’ takeout orders
Bullish Attitudes Return Among Club Owners and Investors
After a downturn that was cited by one multiple-course owner as “by far the toughest ever in the industry,” course owners and real estate investors are betting on a comeback, Bloomberg News reported. Property prices are climbing and club shutdowns have slowed as recreational golfers return after scaling back club memberships during the recession.
Trump Officially Unveils New Blue Monster at Doral
The transformation under the direction of Olympic golf course architect Gil Hanse is now complete. The project also included developing a new maintenance infrastructure and making the practice facility five times bigger, with a state-of-the-art LED lighting system that will allow practice well into the night.
Bridgestone Golf to Produce College Team Logo Golf Balls
The Covington, Va.-based manufacturer has entered into an agreement with 19 major colleges and universities to produce officially licensed team logo golf balls. Financial terms and length of the agreements with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Texas A&M and more, were undisclosed.
Equipped for Success
Just because golf course maintenance equipment is past its prime doesn’t mean it needs to be put out to pasture. Used equipment can go toward helping other organizations, particularly those dedicated to growing the game of golf. Last year, the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla., donated some of its used turf equipment to…
People in the News
The new Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) officers, elected at the CMAA show in New Orleans Feb. 27-March 3, are as follows: President, Bill Wagner, CCM, General Manager, Rivera CC, Coral Gables, Fla.; Vice President, Burton Ward, CCM, General Manager, Century CC, Purchase, N.Y.; Secretary-Treasurer, Linda Carroll, CCM, General Manager, White Bear Yacht Club,…