Saturday, October 31, 2026

Trump’s Growing Pro Golf Influence on Display at Bedminster

“It is a spectacular golf course,” LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said.

President Donald Trump waves as he leaves Trump International Golf Club on March 28, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Imagn Images

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The growth of President Donald Trump’s presence in professional golf is on display yet again this week as Trump Bedminster in New Jersey hosts the LIV Golf New York event.

Bedminster is the third of five Trump-owned courses hosting tournaments across golf’s top three pro tours this year, up from two in 2025. 

  • Trump Doral: PGA Tour Cadillac Championship April 30-May 3
  • Trump Washington D.C.: LIV Golf Virginia May 7-10
  • Trump Bedminster: LIV Golf New York Aug. 6-9
  • Trump Aberdeen (Scotland): DP World Tour Nexo Championship Aug. 20-23
  • Trump Doonbeg (Ireland): DP World Tour Irish Open Sept. 10-13

Last year, Doral hosted LIV Golf Miami and Trump Scotland hosted the Nexo Championship. Trump Scotland has also hosted the PGA Seniors Championship, a tournament for men age 50 and above, this year and last year.

Doral was the biggest single golf moneymaker for Trump’s golf portfolio in 2025, according to the president’s annual financial disclosure report released by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. The property brought in more than $121.8 million in “golf & hotel related revenue.” Bedminster was the highest earning of Trump’s clubs that reported strictly “golf related revenue,” totalling $37.6 million.


LIV’s Trump Connection

LIV has played at least one Trump-owned course per season since the league launched in 2022, but is back at Bedminster for the first time since 2023. LIV CEO Scott O’Neil made it a point to thank the Trump Organization at his pre-tournament press conference this week.

“It is a spectacular golf course,” O’Neil said. “Very, very grateful for President Trump, for Eric Trump who runs the golf properties, and (Trump Organization EVP) Larry Glick. The players say it, the team says it, the fans say it: When you come to a Trump course, it’s something special. It starts with the people.”

Eric Trump and Glick played in Wednesday’s pro-am at Bedminster. Secret Service was on-site during Round 1 on Thursday, with the president expected to attend the LIV tournament at some point this weekend, as he typically does at major events at one of his courses.

“The courses are fantastic, but it’s the people,” O’Neil said. “They attract some of the most wonderful people who can stop on a dime, who can pivot, who understand service, who understand what world class golf courses mean and need. So a proper thank you to them for all they’ve done.”

Bedminster was once set to host the 2022 PGA Championship—which would have marked the first men’s major hosted at a Trump-owned course—but the PGA of America moved that tournament to Oklahoma after the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

Bedminster Cashing In

Beyond LIV’s standard merchandise tent at the New York event, the clubhouse pro shop at Bedminster is open to the public this week—typically pro shops are closed to general admission fans during tournaments. 

Trump Bedminster
FOS Images

The pro shop has been stocked with extra merch featuring a wide array of Bedminster- and Trump-themed gear, everything from hats and polos with standard club logos to USA 250-inspired pullovers and headcovers, as well as anything you can imagine with “45” and “47” branding—a nod to the president’s terms in office.

Pricing is mostly standard with other similar golf courses, with hats ranging from $40 to $60 and polos between $80 and $110, depending on the brand.

Trump’s White Wale

While Trump’s influence in golf is showing no signs of slowing down, one major conquest remains: hosting the Open Championship.

There is still no timetable for Trump Turnberry in Scotland to host another Open Championship, which the course last did in 2009—five years before it was purchased for $60 million by the Trump Organization. R&A CEO Mark Darbon said last month that there has been “good discussion” with Turnberry officials, but it’s still undecided whether or when the club could host another Open. The next available date to host would be 2029.

Meanwhile, Trump has been less vocal about potential efforts to help the PGA Tour and LIV Golf broker any sort of deal. Shortly before Trump was re-elected in 2024, he said he could get a deal done between the PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF in “the better part of 15 minutes.” He hosted PGA Tour and PIF officials at the White House in 2025. The PIF is ending its funding of LIV later this month.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Robert Griffin III Says He’s Spoken With Baylor About Coaching Job

The former Heisman winner says college coaching is about being a CEO.
First at FOS

Caleb Williams Hiding Cleat Logos ‘Makes Sense’ After Fines, CEO Says

Close to 100 NFL players wear Caddix cleats without endorsement deals.
Downtown Moncton Garden Inn

Canadian Hotel Strikes Gold With Parking Garage Hockey Rink

Youth hockey teams are booking years in advance.
Josh Kushner attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 10, 2026.
Exclusive

Josh Kushner, Bob Iger Shopping Lakers Stakes Starting at $250M

Sources tell FOS there has been massive interest in minority stakes.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/30/26 – First WNBA Game 7, Utah Targets Kalshi Founders, Cowboys Cheerleaders Unionize

0:00

Featured Today

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Washington Capitals NHL star Alex Ovechkin takes part in the team’s first practice of the season days after he appeared in a propaganda ad for the United Russia party, which supports the regime of Russia's President Vladimir Putin, in Arlington, Virginia, US, September 17, 2026.

Russia Allowed Back Into International Hockey After Court Lifts Ban

Russia could be included in the Men’s World Championship next May.
October 30, 2026

MLB Player Market Races Against Expected Lockout on Dec. 1

Contract option decisions begin what will be a compressed player market.
First at FOS
October 30, 2026

Tomlin Could Be Hottest NFL Coaching Candidate—If He Wants It

His broadcasting success could outweigh lucrative NFL coaching offers.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
October 30, 2026

World Series Viewership Shows Impact of Broadcast Schedule Pivot

A pivot to a Friday start date paid higher dividends this year.
Oct 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) celebrates with fans after a victory over the Golden State Valkyries in game six of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena.
First at FOS
October 30, 2026

WNBA ‘Assessing’ Possibility of Prediction Market Deals

The NBA announced partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket this week.
October 30, 2026

WNBA’s First Finals Game 7 Comes With a Record Price Tag

Saturday’s game is the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history.
October 29, 2026

PGA Tour Fills Part of $6M Void Left by Good Good Split

The Good Good Championship was renamed the Austin Championship.