"The Donald" tries to trump Briarcliff Manor, New York, with LPGA tournament

If Carolyn Bivens can’t do it, at least Donald Trump is attempting to make the LPGA more visible to golf afficionados.

Using his almighty “pull” where he has impacted communities, Trump is now asking Briarcliff Manor (my hometown) to change an ordinance in effect when he was allowed to take over the old Briar Hall golf course.

Granted a special permit in 2000 to rebuild the failing course, Trump had promised our community that he would not host professional golf tournaments on the site of Trump National Golf Club although he does conduct charitable functions there . The town agreed, so now what’s he up to? Trump is now doing a “flip-flop", asking local lawmakers to change that rule so that he can host the HSBC Women’s World Matchplay Championship beginning next year.

Although Pace University would allow for parking, estimates for daily bus trips between the university and Trump National are as staggering as 30-35 buses per hour! The main entrance to the course is on a narrow, winding road which is both difficult to get to and hard to negotiate. I believe that the area around the course will be jammed, no matter how many impact studies Trump’s people attest to.

On the flip side, if Donald Trump allows only local businesses to vend at the tournament, it would allow for some much needed revenue for a village which could use the boost. If you have been to a professional tournament, you must realize that, once people enter the gates of the club, they rarely venture outside. In this instance, the distance between Route 9A (the local business district) and the golf course, is too far of a walk.

Also, while Trump is busy getting the permits through the village “powers that be", he is neglecting the homes that surround his slice of heaven.

Some of his neighbors believe him to be “irresponsible", complaining of stray golf balls and flooding which damage property surrounding his golf course. “The Donald” has never addressed these problems, solveable through landscaping and grading, but it doesn’t affect him, now does it? And, to help sweeten the deal, as a resident of Briarcliff Manor who is also an avid golfer, I would like to see additional days at a decreased price to play his golf course. Right now only one day a year is offered to community residents at an extravagant rate of $250 for the round.

Perhaps the village board will negotiate these terms into the agreement.

Once the course is approved for a tournament, will Michelle Wie attend? She’s the big draw at any event these days. Wie attended this year’s match-play event but was soundly trounced in the quarter-finals by the eventual winner, Brittany Lincicome. Unfortunately, without her attendance I doubt that viewers are too enamoured by the event, although with Trump’s clout, it’s sure to get some media coverage.

I’ve got a great idea! Donald Trump should become commissioner of the LPGA. If anyone can make it a success, Trump can! Just remember, you heard it here first.