The PGA of America will not be holding the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The association announced its decision Monday (AEDT) on Twitter.
“The PGA of America Board of Directors voted tonight to exercise the right to terminate the agreement to play the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster,” wrote Jim Richerson, president of the PGA of America.
The decision comes after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol on January 6 during a joint session of Congress to formalise President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory. The assault left five people dead, including Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick. The event has led to growing calls for the PGA of America to distance itself from Trump, who owns the New Jersey course among a portfolio of golf properties.
The PGA of America awarded its flagship event to Trump Bedminster in May of 2014, prior to Trump announcing his bid for the United States presidency. Three years later the course hosted the USGA’s US Women’s Open in 2017, which Trump watched on-site.
This is not the first time the organisation has moved a scheduled event at a Trump venue. The PGA of America and Trump mutually decided that the 2015 Grand Slam of Golf should not be held at Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles following Trump’s comments on Mexican immigrants at a presidental rally. The event was eventually cancelled after being unable to find a host.
In an interview with the Associated Press, PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said his organisation found itself “in a political situation not of our making.”
“We’re fiduciaries for our members, for the game, for our mission and for our brand. And how do we best protect that?” Waugh told the AP. “Our feeling was given the tragic events of Wednesday that we could no longer hold it at Bedminster. The damage could have been irreparable. The only real course of action was to leave.”
The PGA of America did not announce a new site for the 2022 PGA Championship.