BEDMINSTER, N.J. – The USGA’s top official told the organization’s executive committee about two years ago that it couldn’t move the U.S. Women’s Open away from Trump National in Bedminster because of then presidential candidate Donald Trump’s threat to sue.
USA Today reported Monday that USGA executive director Mike Davis shared that in a meeting, with the newspaper citing a “person with direct knowledge of the meeting.”
The U.S. Women’s Open begins this week with a number of activist groups planning to protest.
“We can’t move it,” USA Today reported Davis telling the executive committee sometime in 2015. “He’s going to sue us.”
Davis declined to comment Monday when reached by USA Today.
“It would be inappropriate if I said that it happened or it didn’t,” Davis told USA Today.
The newspaper reported that messages to Trump Organization officials seeking comment were not returned.
For two years, UltraViolet and other activists groups have been pressuring the USGA to move the event away from Trump National.
“We expect the USGA and LPGA to respect their fans and players enough to give their business to people who are not actively undermining women,” UltraViolet co-founder Shaunna Thomas said. “They have no business being associated with Donald Trump’s brand.”
Update: The USGA issued the following statement Monday evening:
“As a matter of policy, the terms of our contracts with championship host sites are confidential and accordingly the USGA will not comment. We are excited that our U.S. Women’s Open Championship week has begun and are focused on providing the ultimate test of golf for the best female players in the world.”
Source: Internet
