At the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, former President Donald Trump announced his victory in the latest Bedminster Club Championship. The championship includes the 'super senior' and 'senior division' categories. A video from August 2 shows him being awarded a trophy. The trophy is for a score of 70. The course is rated at a par of 72 across its two layouts. This means Trump finished just one stroke below par. Trump, now 80 years old, celebrated the win by posting a video online. In the video, he emphasized how he managed to secure victory. He said this happened while dedicating little time to practice. He did this despite his busy schedule. He credited his performance to natural talent. He expressed great pride in the achievement.
Trump claims to have won over 40 club championships in his long golfing career. This number is far beyond what most recreational players achieve. Rick Reilly, a sports writer, authored 'Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump.' Reilly says the top club-level golfer he knows has only eight tournament wins to his name. Reilly has written about what he views as a pattern of unethical behavior. This pattern is in Trump's golfing history. His book details numerous instances of alleged rule-bending. It also details exaggerations about Trump’s performance. One example is Trump’s claim that he often opens a new golf course. He claims to immediately participate in the club championship. He declares himself the winner even if he is the only player present. Reilly described this behavior as a reflection of Trump’s tendency to 'make things up' for dramatic effect.
Golf and the Presidency
Tracking websites estimate that Trump spent 124 days playing golf during his second term as president. According to Trump Golf Track, which is run by The Alt Media, this adds up to about 22% of his time in office. There are also days he was seen at his private properties where it is unclear whether he played a full round. The site estimates that there were additional days where Trump was at his properties, but whether he played golf is still debated. Another tracking site, 'Did Trump Golf Today,' analyzed his public schedule and found he golfed 125 days during the same period. These numbers have sparked public debate about the appropriate balance of a president’s time between official duties and personal interests, especially in a high-profile role with global responsibilities.
Trump has spent more time on the course than expected for a national leader. In a recent online post, he mentioned he has little time to prepare, because he's focused on many other things, but he insists his success is due to his natural talent. He described the Bedminster Club Championship win as a 'great honor,' claiming it showed his skill and ability to win without much effort. This claim has raised eyebrows among critics who question whether his achievements are as legitimate as he portrays them.
Doubts have been raised about the fairness of Trump’s golf results. In a 2023 tournament at Trump International West Palm Beach, he skipped the opening round. He used a score from a previous week’s game to qualify. After winning, Trump shared the outcome on social media. He called it a 'great honor.' But the tournament's rules about using prior scores remain unclear. Some question the validity of this approach. The situation led to confusion among other players and spectators. Many questioned the fairness of the process. Trump’s actions in such tournaments often defy traditional expectations. They have been scrutinized by both the media and fellow golfers.
Controversies and Criticisms
According to Reilly, Trump's approach to golf tournaments is less about actual ability and more about convenience. He claims that Trump often plays alone or with just his wife. Then he declares himself the winner. He adds his name to a wall. Reilly said Trump is known for making up dramatic stories. He does this about his performances, even when no one else is around to confirm them. This has led to skepticism. It is about the authenticity of many of his supposed victories. Critics suggest that Trump's record in golf is more of a political performance. They say it is not a genuine reflection of his skill.
Despite these claims, several top-tier golfers have said Trump is skilled. In 2022, Hall of Fame golfer Ernie Els watched Trump make a hole-in-one and noted his ability to strike the ball well. Els said Trump had a solid swing and was likely a 4- or 5-handicap in his prime. Now, he estimates Trump to have a handicap of about 10 to 12, which is still strong for an amateur. Els has publicly acknowledged Trump’s talent in striking the ball, calling it a notable strength in his game. This view is echoed by other golfers who have played with him, including Jack Nicklaus and Brooks Koepka.
Supportive Views and Praise
Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus once praised Trump in 2020, saying he plays 'pretty well.' Brooks Koepka, a professional golfer, also mentioned Trump's putting ability during a Pro-Am event at Doral. He noted Trump had some strong putts, though many didn't go in. These comments highlight both Trump’s skill and the inconsistency in his overall performance. Trump has played with some of the greatest names in golf history, including Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau. These encounters have drawn attention not only for the prestige of the players involved but also for the often controversial nature of Trump's conduct on the course.