What’s all the fuss about?

I’m not sure I understand what all the fuss is about regarding President Donald Trump attending the U.S. Women’s Open.
The man owns the venue that’s hosting the event, Bedminster Golf Club, located in New Jersey about 40 miles from New York City.
I was there in 2002, on the way to cover the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, that brutally difficult state park course on Long Island. A media event was held on a June day even before Bedminster had opened and as we found out, it’s a big boy golf course, even from the white tees.
We had finished our round and were having a post-round gathering when the sound of a low-flying helicopter could be heard. We could see the black corporate chopper slowly landing in front of the opulent clubhouse and the unmistakable hair was soon seen exiting the aircraft.
Trump spoke for a few minutes about what a great course he had created and how it would soon host a U.S. Open. Organizers of the event had given each of us a Bedminster-logoed golf ball and Trump signed most of them. He even agreed to stand for a few pictures and I was able to get both an autograph and a picture with him.
It was a cool thing and a nice ending to a fun day of golf on a really good golf course.
I was kidding, by the way, at the top when I said I didn’t understand all the fuss. I’m sure it was a logistical nightmare for USGA officials and the Secret Service to coordinate the President’s visit. You’ve no doubt heard he is the first sitting President to attend a Women’s Open.
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Interesting timing, don’t you think of the announcement of the LPGA’s new dress code this week.
The very existence of the ladies tour was enhanced greatly when Australian blonde bombshell Jan Stephenson and continued in that fashion into today’s golf with females like Natalie Gulbis, Sandra Gal, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and a bevy other attractive, young players who took advantage of their physical appearances to gain attention.
They could certainly play but the tour made no secret they were selling the sex appeal aspect as well.
Now comes this past week when players received an email, making them aware of the new, strict rules.
Like:
n Players can wear a racerback with a mock or regular collar, but no collar, no racerback.
n No plunging necklines.
n Leggings can’t be worn unless under a skort or shorts.
n Length of skirt, skort and shorts must be long enough to not see the players’ “bottom area” at any time.
n Appropriate attire is now mandatory at pro-am parts.
n Workout gear and jeans (all colors) are prohibited inside the ropes.
n Joggers are not allowed.
So what is to be made of the new rules? That’s the question of the day.
Is the LPGA making a u-turn from an image it actively promoted for decades? And if so, why now?
So far there have been few answers.
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I really like the new Shepherd’s Rock course at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. I played it Monday and, in my mind, it’s not as difficult as Mystic Rock and I believe that was the intention.
Play it from the right tees and it’s playable, giving you the option to have fun. That’s what owner Maggie Hardy Magerko said was the goal, making golf fun again.
Shepherd’s Rock definitely elevates the resort to a golf destination with two golf courses, top-flight practice range and golf instruction facility as well as the numerous housing opportunities.
The course is a Pete Dye-inspired, Tim Liddy-designed dandy and will be popular for a long time.
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If you have an interesting story about your club or course or an individual who has done something special, let me know? Send your story ideas to mike.dudurich@gmail.com.
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Mike Dudurich is a freelance golf writer and hosts The Golf Show on 93.7 The Fan, Saturday mornings from 7-8 during golf season. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeDudurich.