Trump, PGA reach settlement over golf club snub

A political entanglement appears to have ended peacefully.

On Tuesday, the PGA Tour announced a settlement with The Trump Organization. The settlement pertained to a decision the PGA Tour made shortly after the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots, to pull the 2022 PGA Championship out of the Trump Bedminster course in New Jersey.

“The Trump Organization’s contribution to the golf community is appreciated,” PGA of America said in a statement. “We are thankful the company employs hundreds of dedicated PGA Professionals and consistently gives back to the golf community through hosting charitable events and sponsoring junior golf programs. As stated in 2014 when announced, Trump Bedminster is a major championship-worthy golf course and in a portfolio along with some of the finest private and public golf courses anywhere in the world.”

The terms of the settlement are undisclosed, but both sides expressed satisfaction with each other after the agreement.

“We have great respect for the work of the PGA,” said Eric Trump, an executive vice president at the Trump organization. “Over the past 20-plus years, we have enjoyed working with the PGA to deliver to our club members and the public some of the greatest golf experiences anywhere in the world.

“We look forward to continuing to support the mission of the PGA and its Professionals, who are the best in the golf industry.”

At the time when the PGA pulled the tournament out of Bedminster, PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said, “We find ourselves in a political situation not of our making.” The Trump Organization had said the PGA had no right to terminate the contract.