Q How does it hurt with some people?
A Some say if anyone else owned Bedminster, it would be considered one of the Top 10 courses, but because it's me, people don't want to do it. I had a major player in the industry tell me, "If it wasn't built by you, that would be considered one of the greatest courses in the world." The golf facet of my life doesn't go with the rest of my life, which is a rough-and-tumble life. I work in real estate development, which is the toughest business, and I do it in the toughest city. I deal with ruthless people.
Q Where do you think your courses should rank on a list of the Top Courses in the U.S.?
A I have the best locations. Bedminster should be in the top 10. My Florida course is the best in Florida and Trump National L.A. is better than Pebble Beach.
Q Trump L.A. is better than Pebble Beach! Are you crazy?
A That's what people say until they play my course. I have 3,000 acres and 2.5 miles on the ocean. That's the ocean, not the bay. Every single hole fronts the ocean. I love Pebble too, but even people who love Pebble say Trump L.A. is superior to Pebble. What Pebble Beach has is history and some day Trump L.A. will have history, though I might not be around to see it. Trump L.A. is also far better than Bandon Dunes [in Oregon]. It's unfair to compare a course in Los Angeles, a great metropolitan area, to one in a wasteland far away from civilization.
Q How's your golf game these days?
A I'm about a 4. I play as much as I can but generally only on weekends. Plus, because I own the course I don't feel guilty playing because I consider it work. I can say, "Fix that tree," and then it's work. [Laughs.]
