No PGA Tour stop at Trump National Doral Miami

[newtogolf]

5 hours ago, DeadMan said:

So did you even try to read anything else posted in the thread or did you just really need to spout off some ignorance this morning?

There are multiple American cities that are more dangerous than Mexico City - Chicago and New Orleans, for example. One of the most dangerous places to visit for Americans and Europeans? Give me a break. It doesn't even hold a candle to Caracas or Guatemala City. Or, again, Chicago or New Orleans.

Mexico City is not a safe place, what is ignorant is all you Trump haters back slapping each other because you thing Finchem stuck one to Trump.  You couldn't pay me to go to Mexico City, read the State Departments warning on Mexico and some recent news about kidnappings of tourists.  

[DeadMan]

24 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

Mexico City is not a safe place, what is ignorant is all you Trump haters back slapping each other because you thing Finchem stuck one to Trump.  You couldn't pay me to go to Mexico City, read the State Departments warning on Mexico and some recent news about kidnappings of tourists.  

State department warning actually specifically excludes Mexico City proper. Just a guess on those warned areas in the greater Mexico City metropolitan areas: they're probably poverty stricken, and I doubt any PGA Tour professional will spend much, if any time, in those areas.

You might not feel safe in Mexico City, but statistically speaking, it's plenty safe. And the PGA Tour plays in plenty of cities that are, statistically, much less safe, as others have mentioned.

[Chilli Dipper]

43 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

Mexico City is not a safe place, what is ignorant is all you Trump haters back slapping each other because you thing Finchem stuck one to Trump.  You couldn't pay me to go to Mexico City, read the State Departments warning on Mexico and some recent news about kidnappings of tourists.  

This isn't about Trump; you just have to take these travel advisories with a grain of salt. The French state department issues travel warnings advising its citizens advising its citizens to avoid a lot of American cities, either because of high crime or high-profile terrorism targets. Among them is an advisory to avoid downtown Atlanta at night. That said, during the week of the Tour Championship, the players and tour executives stay at the downtown Atlanta Ritz-Carlton. I've seen the courtesy cars with the PGA Tour logo pulling out of the hotel's parking deck. Is the tour putting its players in grave danger by staying there?

[70sSanO]

4 hours ago, DeadMan said:

State department warning actually specifically excludes Mexico City proper. Just a guess on those warned areas in the greater Mexico City metropolitan areas: they're probably poverty stricken, and I doubt any PGA Tour professional will spend much, if any time, in those areas.

You might not feel safe in Mexico City, but statistically speaking, it's plenty safe. And the PGA Tour plays in plenty of cities that are, statistically, much less safe, as others have mentioned.

This sums it up pretty well.  A PGA professional won't have an issue.  A traveler may or may not depending on where they end up inadvertently or not.

I would think no one will care sitting on their couch.  Regardless of where a tournament is held you would want a strong, local fan base to attend.  I don't know the fan base in Mexico.  As far as other cities, Hong Kong would probably attract some big dollars.

There are sporting venues I wouldn't go to here in the US, so I'm not bashing foreign cities.  On the other hand I do feel law enforcement may put in a bit more effort if I was a victim than some other places in the world.

John

Edited June 3, 2016 by 70sSanO

[newtogolf]

On XM yesterday, the afternoon hosts were bashing Finchem for picking Mexico City saying it was practically the worst choice they could make.  They weren't defending Trump they just thought Finchem really screwed this up, cited that it would help grow the game and that it wasn't safe.  I guess they haven't heard how safe Mexico City is either.  

I'm guessing the sponsors for WGC Mexico City will be one of the major drug cartels since all we hear is that Mexico doesn't have any money.  

[Quadhole]

On 6/1/2016 at 1:10 PM, DeadMan said:

Mexico City's murder rate is lower than Atlanta, Washington DC, Baltimore, St. Louis, New Orleans, Cleveland, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, and Miami. Kidnapping rates in Mexico have gone way down recently. Mexico City is massive city - some PGA Tour players being there is barely a blip on the radar. It has generally hasn't seen the same extent of problems that northern Mexico has. But, that's way too nuanced, so yeah, PGA Tour needs kidnapping insurance!

I'd say if we're really worried about safety, we're going to have to get rid of a lot of events in US cities before we even talk about Mexico City.

Mexico City is a beautiful place, so is much of Mexico. Problem with most american and why you see responses bashing it all lies in the perception of american news and that everything about Mexico is drugs, desert, and coming across the boarder. Amazing how obtuse american can be... Really dumb down their education and knowledge, guess it is easier to just click on Fox news...

Gees, Look at Chicago and our country if you want Murder, guns, and a high crime rate. Biggest prison population in the world... People are getting rich off of it...

11 hours ago, Mr. Desmond said:

I think the change is business.

When the title sponsor is putting out millions to shout its BRAND for a week, it does not want to compete with TRUMP and his brand; and yes, the reality is that Trump also brings controversy, and the major title sponsor does not want    potential negative pub during its $$$$ week.

Comes as no real surprise that it was difficult to find a new title sponsor. I think it's humorous that the event went to Mexico -- funny as heck. SNL couldn't do any better. lol.

At the same time, it is sad for that area to lose that money for charity and the temporary bump of infusion of money into the city. But a high probability exists that the PGA will return to Miami, just not as a WGC event.

And many players did not like Trump's renovation of Doral -- bomber's paradise. He might want to rethink ... 

Bingo ! Even this past year, it isn't remembered as the Cadillac as much as it is at DORAL TRUMP ! I do hand it to trump for making so much money and using the loopholes put in front of him. He has made it clear how screwed up the system is and if he can make money using it, he will. His problem is that he is unnervingly argumentative about everything. Anyone with a strong opinion about many things can be the same way. I can be too...I try not to do as he does with the exaggerations. It is not intentional, and in an everyday conversation they have little meaning, 6 miliion or 4.5 million to him means no difference... When you are running for president, it means everything... Poor guy is going to have to change really quick if he plans to be the nominee... He is going to get sacked ! IF NOT CAREFUL...

[Rainmaker]

Honestly . .you gotta dump the Trump, lol.  I think they made the right decision . .whether it was the PGA or if it was Cadillac or some other sponsor(s) that don't want to be associated.  Being associated with Trump is a huge risk since he's already polarizing to begin with . .and is likely to say something incendiary at any moment. 

[Dave2512]

Mexico City has the largest population of Americans living outside the US. Lots of Europeans there too. There won't be a problem selling tickets. 

[boogielicious]

16 hours ago, 4GSwag said:

From https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html

I can't speak for any Top 64 player, or whatever a WGC field is, but if the US Department of State is telling you to stay the heck out of some place, then this is not rumor and innuendo pushing an agenda; this is a legitimate threat to your person.

And anyone who thinks this wasn't politically motivated, I've got some beach front property in Nevada to sell you.

Look, I'm no Trump supporter.  If anything, I think the man is incredibly dangerous and a lightning rod of constant controversy, but I have long ties to Miami, having grown up there and been to many a Doral PGA event back in the 80's when life was a little less stressful.  If you think Finchem isn't pulling this event and moving it based on nothing more than trying to get away from Trump, then you'd be naive at best.  This isn't about money, because last I read somewhere, Cadillac was happy to keep ponying up the money for this event.

I will say this, Finchem is doing everything he can to leave a trail in his wake before "retiring".  And frankly, his retirement can't come soon enough.  Between this and the Vijay Singh episode, Finchem needs to find a beach somewhere far away and just leave.

FWIW, I travel internationally a lot. I've received this warning for Europe as recently has last week. I get it for Brazil and Argentina and I've gotten it for Asia. It is the State Departments job to show citizen's the possible risks involved with International travel. Should the Tour not go to Europe now?

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/europe-travel-alert.html

In addition, I have to go to Mexico in the next few weeks and have not received any additional warnings about travelling there.

Again, the LPGA has no problems playing in Mexico City. Yet we are all up in arms because the men may be going there as if the course was in the Sudan.

[Dave2512]

Worst thing about Mexico City is the pollution. Smog is thick and it is filthy. But the course will be on the outskirts where the wealthy live. 

[Gunther]

The truth is, Rory was right, it's silly that so many of the so-called World Golf Championships are in the US.  I like the move by Finchem.  Trump will be fine.

[Groucho Valentine]

Ive always felts the WGC's were cash grabs, so it would make since that they are mostly staged in the US. But i think having them more often in other countries is a good idea. 

[colin007]

19 hours ago, Chilli Dipper said:

The top international players are probably amused by the idea that Mexico City is too dangerous of a place for a tour stop. It's no less safe than Johannesburg, Bangkok, or Hong Kong, to name three cities that regularly appear on the European Tour schedule.

thats a good point.  J-Burg is a mess. and dont get me started on those Bangkok hookers....

[Dave2512]

Yes people live at and visit these dangerous places without issue all the time. I am very close to a family that splits their time between J-Burg and Denver. He is a mining exec that spends months away from home and doesn't think twice about leaving his family there. Now they are South African so they know how to get along in their country so it's a matter of awareness. Which is a big reason travel advisories are necessary, tourist do silly things. It's as much a notice to save yourself from yourself as anything.

 

[ChrisP]

Lost a lot of respect for the PGA Tour on this. Don't care whether you like or hate Trump, you shouldn't let politics get involved in golf and then even worse, lying about it saying it didn't play a role in your decision. Bullshit it didn't play a role. You partner with NBC, the most liberal network on TV and say it doesn't play a role? Lost a ton of respect for golf after this. What a shame.

[newtogolf]

12 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

Lost a lot of respect for the PGA Tour on this. Don't care whether you like or hate Trump, you shouldn't let politics get involved in golf and then even worse, lying about it saying it didn't play a role in your decision. Bullshit it didn't play a role. You partner with NBC, the most liberal network on TV and say it doesn't play a role? Lost a ton of respect for golf after this. What a shame.

I agree, I could care less they took it from Trump.  Trump had to know his rhetoric was going to make enemies with liberals like Finchem.  

Not only did Finchem spite Trump but he also hurt America by moving revenue and job opportunities from the US to Mexico, a country that doesn't respect our borders and is a parasite to our country.  

[Chilli Dipper]

36 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

I agree, I could care less they took it from Trump.  Trump had to know his rhetoric was going to make enemies with liberals like Finchem.  

Not only did Finchem spite Trump but he also hurt America by moving revenue and job opportunities from the US to Mexico, a country that doesn't respect our borders and is a parasite to our country.  

That's right, everything that doesn't go Donald Trump's way is a big freaking liberal conspiracy. 

I give up. It's obviously a globalist conspiracy.

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Chilli Dipper said:

That's right, everything that doesn't go Donald Trump's way is a big freaking liberal conspiracy. 

I give up. It's obviously a globalist conspiracy.

Yeah, that's not what he said.