The Week That Was, july 12, 2015

     Just when you start thinking that China might actually have the money and manpower to solve virtually any problem, a gigantic Chinese conglomerate goes and lets the biggest, most anticipated new resort in the Caribbean postpone its grand opening for at least the third time. Baha Mar, a 1,000-acre spread along Nassau’s Cable Beach, has petitioned for bankruptcy protection, blaming its financial misfortunes on construction delays caused by its lead contractor, an affiliate of China State Construction Engineering Corporation. The builder, which reportedly shipped “thousands” of Chinese workers to the Bahamas to work on the project -- they ate mostly at the construction site and slept in a nearby campground, according to the Wall Street Journal -- claims that the bankruptcy filing was “the direct result” of Baha Mar, Ltd.’s “mismanagement” and “failure to secure adequate financing.” Baha Mar has been master-planned to include, among other things, the biggest casino in the region, the biggest convention center in the Bahamas, thousands of overnight accommodations, a nightclub designed by has-been pop singer Lenny Kravitz, and a Jack Nicklaus “signature” golf course that will serve as a link in the PGA Tour’s chain of Tournament Players Clubs.

     Except for a setback that may be a harbinger of worse things to come, these days Donald Trump’s relations with the golf industry’s most powerful institutions remain intact and cordial. This week it was all quiet on the social-justice front for the U.S. Golf Association, the PGA Tour, and the LPGA, all of which have distanced themselves from Trump’s comments about Mexicans -- in case anyone has forgotten, he characterized them as criminals, drug-smugglers, and rapists -- but have so far chosen not to hit the presidential candidate where it really hurts. To its credit, however, the PGA of America took a stand, for it pulled an exhibition match, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, from Trump’s club in suburban Los Angeles. Of course, if Trump’s value system is truly objectionable to the PGA, it’ll follow up by pulling two far more important events, the 2017 Senior PGA Championship and the 2022 PGA Championship, from Trump properties. “I’ve been very loyal to golf,” Trump told the New York Times last week. “We will see whether or not golf is loyal to me.” So far, the investment Trump has made in those loyalties -- “I’ve had tremendous support from the golf world, because they all know I’m right” -- continues to pay dividends. As Trump most definitely knows, the most successful people in business are those who know and understand their markets.

     Regarding those worse things that might befall Donald Trump: The future of the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, which is scheduled to take place at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, appears to be up in the air. “We are evaluating things,” Mike Davis, the executive director of the U.S. Golf Association, acknowledged to the Golf Channel, “and at this point that’s all we can say.” Clearly, Davis’ statement isn’t the unqualified vote of confidence that Trump would like to hear.

     More on those possible worse things: Just a month ago, the European Tour seemed poised to award the 2017 Scottish Open -- officially, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open -- to Trump International Golf Links Scotland. Now, in the wake of Donald Trump’s repellent mischaracterization of Mexicans, at least one British golf commentator has recommended that the Tour look in another direction. “If the PGA of America are moving the Grand Slam of Golf away from Trump’s course in Las Vegas in the wake of his outburst,” writes Aidan Smith of the Scotsman, “and if the LPGA Tour wish this month’s Women’s British Open could be played somewhere other than Turnberry, then I don’t see how the tournament can go to Balmedie. Let the course mature, find its place in the world. The owner, too.”

     After a three-year search to find a developer for the “landmark destination for golf tourism” that it aims to build in suburban Liverpool, England, Wirral Council has settled on the individual who was probably at the top of its wish list: Jack Nicklaus. The council wants to build “an internationally acclaimed golf resort that golfers from across the world will travel to play and stay at,” and Nicklaus can certainly deliver the star power that publicists crave. The Golden Bear will design a “signature” golf course for Wirral’s property in Hoylake, and Nicklaus Joint Venture Group will oversee the construction of a Marriott hotel, a spa, a “links academy,” and other attractions. If you’re wondering, Nicklaus Joint Venture Group isn’t a freshly minted entity. It was created roughly a decade ago, to develop the Gary Nicklaus-designed layout at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Wales. At that time, the group consisted of Nicklaus Design and two British partners, Southern Golf Construction and Sawtrees, Ltd., and there’s no reason to believe that the roster has changed. Jim Anderson, the chief executive of the original group, will oversee the development of the Wirral property.

     Some information in the preceding post was gleaned from the November 2013 issue of the World Edition of the Golf Course Report.

     Gary Player, who claims to have logged more than 15 million miles in airplanes, is looking for an excuse to visit Mexico. His firm has hired Eric Marble, described in a press release as a “a Mexico site analysis specialist,” to identify upcoming course-design opportunities. “Eric Marble has a reputation and network that will help us take our portfolio in Mexico to the next level,” said Scott Ferrell, the president of Player’s firm. The firm has so far produced one course in Mexico, at CostaBaja Resort & Marina in La Paz, but it hasn’t secured a commission in five years and these days it appears that the most coveted “signature” projects in Mexico are going to Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Tiger Woods, and Greg Norman. Incidentally, Player has trademarked the phrase “The World’s Most Traveled Athlete,” presumably because his many, many career accomplishments don’t suffice as a calling card.