A few days ago, Donald Trump was telling people that they couldn’t play on his golf course.
Now, it’s questionable if anybody will show up for their tee times.
Related: Trump defends calling immigrants ‘rapists’
After an interview with the Golf Channel on Tuesday in which the Republican candidate for president claimed he had the support of the golf community despite his inflammatory comments because “they all know I’m right,” the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, USGA and PGA of America jointly released a statement disassociating themselves from Trump.
%22Mr.%20Trump%E2%80%99s%20comments%20are%20inconsistent%20with%20our%20strong%20commitment%20to%20an%20inclusive%20and%20welcoming%20environment%20in%20the%20game%20of%20golf.%22′
“In response to Mr. Trump’s comments about the golf industry ‘knowing he is right’ in regards to his recent statements about Mexican immigrants, we feel compelled to clarify that those remarks do not reflect the views of our organizations,” the joint statement to the Golf Channel said. “While the LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour and USGA do not usually comment on presidential politics, Mr. Trump’s comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.”
The four golfing bodies are the latest to publicly back away from the embattled Trump, along with television networks Univision and NBCUniversal (the parent company of msnbc) and the department store Macy’s.
RELATED: Macy’s dumps Trump
Despite speaking out on the matter, the golf organizations declined to comment on plans to play future tournaments at Trump golf courses.
The flap could pose a problem for the PGA, which entered a new partnership with Trump last year in which they awarded the 2022 PGA Championship – the organization’s flagship tournament – to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, as well as the 2017 Senior PGA Championship to the Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Virginia.
Various other tournaments also have been scheduled at Trump’s courses around the world, including this year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which is scheduled for October.
Prior to the announcement today, Trump didn’t think he would have any problems with the golfing world over his comments about Mexicans. In his interview with Golf Channel insider Tim Rosaforte, Trump said, “I have Mexicans and South Americans working for me all over the country and believe me, they love me and I love them.”
“I think they’re great. I’ve had great support and I haven’t heard one negative thing and frankly I don’t expect to,” he added.
Brian Walsh