About five years ago, when golf was going through an economic downswing, Donald Trump took the opportunity to buy in, scooping up failed properties. He already had courses emblazoned with his name around the world, but credibility? That eluded him.
Soon major golf tours came calling, bringing big-money, high-profile events to his courses. Major championships — the prized possessions of every club — came next. It short order, Trump had gone from outsider to having a seat in the club.
Now, he is wondering if he will get to keep it.
“I’ve been very loyal to golf,” Trump said Tuesday in a telephone interview.