2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills

[iacas]

Well, given yesterday, it’ll be interesting to see when (if?) the PGA announces that they’re moving the 2022 PGA Championship away from Trump Bedminster.

What do you think? Should they? Though sports are generally apolitical, people politicize tons of things (even without merit) these days. They’d certainly take playing there as an endorsement of some kind. Some would, not all.

P.S. No politics, though it’s politics-adjacent. Keep it to the golf side of things. For the sake of this point, though we’re discussion a politician, and possibly the political leanings of Tour players or something, there’s a difference between that and “discussing politics.”

[saevel25]

Not sure how much money Trump gets from this event being at his course. From the optics, I think the PGA should move it away. I wouldn't be shocked if there is some protest from the PGA Tour players on this. Though, it being in 2022, it might be far enough removed from this election and the next election that there might not be much talk about Trump at the time. 

[woodzie264]

 

5 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

Not sure how much money Trump gets from this event being at his course. From the optics, I think the PGA should move it away. I wouldn't be shocked if there is some protest from the PGA Tour players on this. Though, it being in 2022, it might be far enough removed from this election and the next election that there might not be much talk about Trump at the time. 

Agree with that.   I would expect they would make would change venues, though I would be in the crowd that affirms playing golf at a particular course is not synonymous with endorsing a politician/political party any more than buying a product from China in leu of an American equivalent makes one a communist. 

[iacas]

3 minutes ago, woodzie264 said:

I would be in the crowd that affirms playing golf at a particular course is not synonymous with endorsing a politician/political party

We all know that’s not how everyone would see things.

[woodzie264]

Just now, iacas said:

We all know that’s not how everyone would see things.

agreed - which I why I agreed with @saevel25 that they will move it

[DaveP043]

Just now, saevel25 said:

Not sure how much money Trump gets from this event being at his course. From the optics, I think the PGA should move it away. I wouldn't be shocked if there is some protest from the PGA Tour players on this. Though, it being in 2022, it might be far enough removed from this election and the next election that there might not be much talk about Trump at the time. 

I think you're right with this, at this moment business associations with Trump's organization probably have negative connotations in a big part of society.  If the PGA of America chooses to make the change quickly, its hard to imagine much pushback from players with yesterday's images fresh in so many minds.   But in six months or a year, those images will (probably) fade, which would make the motivation for a change somewhat less.  My best guess is that they're already considering their options, and what it would cost to break the contract with Trump.  If they can make it work, I'd bet they'll find a different course, sooner rather than later.  

[cutchemist42]

Saying this as a Canadian where 90% of Canadians wouldnt vote for the guy.....I will not watch that tournament if it's still played at his course.

The guy represents the worst of golf in my opinion and associating with that brand is just.....offputting to me.

But yeah, I'm from a country where we would not tolerate a guy like that even before yesterday.

 

Edited January 7, 2021 by cutchemist42

[DaveP043]

2 minutes ago, cutchemist42 said:

.I will not watch that tournament if it's still played at his course.

I think there has always been a certain proportion of golf fans who had this opinion all along, but I also think it was a pretty small percentage.  I don't have any data, that's really just my guess.  But with yesterday's events that percentage may grow, maybe significantly, and that would be the motivation to change venues.  I don't think golf fans in general would really miss Bedminster, I'm sure its a fine course, but its not a revered classic.

[mcanadiens]

I'd be curious to know what it would cost to break the contract. 

My guess would be that it might be worth it to the PGA just to avoid the hassles that will go a long the Trump name. 

Call it a sort of pre-paid advertising expense.

 

[The Flush]

I won't watch a tournament played at a course owned by a known golf cheater.

[Vinsk]

1 hour ago, The Flush said:

I won't watch a tournament played at a course owned by a known golf cheater.

‘Alleged’ cheater.

[saevel25]

19 hours ago, cutchemist42 said:

Saying this as a Canadian where 90% of Canadians wouldnt vote for the guy.....I will not watch that tournament if it's still played at his course.

The guy represents the worst of golf in my opinion and associating with that brand is just.....offputting to me.

But yeah, I'm from a country where we would not tolerate a guy like that even before yesterday.

I will still watch the tournament. For me, its too much energy to care enough about such things. 

For me, who knows where my money goes to for anything I spend it on. 

I will probably never play at his courses. Unless I am on a golf outing, and they chose the course. I would not disregard my own enjoyment for the trip just because of something like that. 

 

[gbogey]

I think they have to move it at this point, or have a promise that he won't attend. If he's absent maybe some of the issue goes away.

It's a shame It's an absolutely beautiful course in a beautiful setting. It would have been fun to watch the best play there. It was fun to watch the ladies play there a few years back.

[Sandy Lie]

I think it should be moved. And I would think that the golfers themselves should or will voice their opinions on this.  Another thing is advertising for this event. Will companies pull their advertising from it?  I suspect many would.  
 

Side note on Player and Sorenstam being presented the Presidential Medals of Freedom the day after the chaos.  Couldn’t believe they didn’t cancel.  Shameful day for Golf.

22 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I think you're right with this, at this moment business associations with Trump's organization probably have negative connotations in a big part of society.  If the PGA of America chooses to make the change quickly, its hard to imagine much pushback from players with yesterday's images fresh in so many minds.   But in six months or a year, those images will (probably) fade, which would make the motivation for a change somewhat less.  My best guess is that they're already considering their options, and what it would cost to break the contract with Trump.  If they can make it work, I'd bet they'll find a different course, sooner rather than later.  

...or have the players boycott.  Their independent contractors, right?

[DaveP043]

10 minutes ago, Sandy Lie said:

...or have the players boycott.  Their independent contractors, right?

They certainly are, but I don't believe anyone will voluntarily miss a major championship. 

[mclaren4life]

I think they should move it. Its not a good look for the PGA when they are trying to become more inclusive, with not a lot of success and grow the game.  Im sure there would be some players that wouldnt play. Not sure how large a profile those players will have but there could be a few well known players that would drop out which also isnt a good look. I dont think the images of the Capitol will be erased from memory so quickly. Another question is if Trump will even own the club come time for the tourney. He has quite a few problems on the horizon. 

[Darkfrog]

I think the tournament should absolutely be moved. Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, conservative, liberal, whatever, all Americans should feel disgusted by what has transpired since the election, culminating on January 6th, in many ways incited by a sitting president.

I'm not sure if I would watch or not if it were played on a Trump branded course. The PGA Championship is my least favorite major, so if I felt the need to protest/object by not watching, I wouldn't feel like I was missing anything.

[nevets88]

I think it should be moved. The deal was struck in 2014, well before the election, so I guess that's some cover. The WUSO was still held there in 2017. Turnberry has not been on the British Open rota since 2009. Geoff Shackelford, John Feinstein and a WaPo staff writer are calling for it to be moved, it will be seen how much momentum builds. A lot can happen between now and 2022 that renders speculation on this totally moot, it's possible course ownership could fall into someone else's hands. Nicklaus's endorsement, Sorenstam and Player accepting their medals, who knows what else, just not a great look for golf. I don't envy the position that the PGA of America leadership is in.