Harper Lin
The Doral Golf Course, now known as Trump National Doral Miami, has been regarded as one of the top golf destinations in Miami, Florida. The course has been a staple on the PGA Tour since its opening in 1962, attracting some of the biggest names in golf, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Phil Mickelson. With its signature Blue Monster course, Doral has been the site of some of the most iconic moments in golf history. However, it has also witnessed its share of embarrassing incidents, such as when Tiger Woods accidentally hit a spectator with his ball during a practice round. Purchased by Donald Trump's organization in 2011, the resort underwent significant renovations and rebranding, adding to its reputation as a premier golf destination. Despite its renown, Doral has experienced financial troubles, with reports of a steep decline in 2019.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1962 |
| Founder | Real estate pioneer Alfred Kaskel |
| Location | Doral, South Florida, United States |
| Area | 800 acres |
| Number of golf courses | 4 |
| Number of golf holes | 72 |
| Notable courses | The Blue Monster, The Red Tiger, The Golden Palm, The Silver Fox, The Great White Course |
| Previous owners | Carol Management, KSL Recreation, CNL Hospitality, Marriott International, Morgan Stanley, Paulson & Co. |
| Current owner | The Trump Organization |
| Year purchased by Trump | 2011 or 2012 |
| Purchase price | $125 million in loans from Deutsche Bank |
| Renovation cost | $240 million to $250 million |
| Notable events | Doral Open, WGC-Cadillac Championship, PGA Tour Latinoamérica Shell Tour Championship, LPGA Tour |
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What You'll Learn
Doral Golf Course's rich history
The Doral Golf Course, now known as Trump National Doral Miami, is a golf resort in Doral, South Florida, United States. It was founded by real estate pioneer Alfred Kaskel in 1962 and was named after the first names of Kaskel and his wife, Doris. The resort was built for $10 million (equivalent to $104 million in 2024) by Carol Management.
The Doral Golf Course has been a staple on the PGA Tour since its opening in 1962. The Blue Monster, its signature course, played host to the Doral Open on the PGA Tour from 1962 to 2006. The course was originally designed by Dick Wilson and has since been modified and updated by three-time Doral champion Ray Floyd. In 1961, an unknown Johnny Miller won his first title at the course, then known as the Florida Open Invitational.
In 1994, Carol Management sold a majority stake in the resort to KSL Recreation, an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, for approximately $100 million. The resort changed hands several times over the years, with ownership passing to CNL Hospitality (later CNL Hotels & Resorts) in 2004, and then to Morgan Stanley in 2007. In 2011, a group of creditors led by Paulson & Co. took control of the resort and placed it under bankruptcy protection.
In March 2011, the resort was purchased by former US President Donald Trump's company, the Trump Organization, for $125 million. Trump subsequently renamed the resort Trump National Doral and invested over $240 million into improving the facilities and creating two new resort hotels. Under Trump's ownership, the resort became the host of the WGC-Cadillac Championship from 2014 until it was discontinued in 2017. The course underwent a $250 million renovation led by architect Gil Hanse from 2016 to 2018, which included expanding fairways and adding additional bunkers surrounding holes.
The Doral Golf Course has been the site of several iconic moments in golf history, including victories by Tiger Woods, Geoff Ogilvy, Phil Mickelson, and Ernie Els. It has also witnessed some embarrassing moments, such as when Tiger Woods accidentally hit a spectator with his ball during a practice round in 2014.
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The Blue Monster
The course has also been the site of several memorable moments in golf history, including an incident during a practice round for the WGC-Cadillac Championship in 2014 when Tiger Woods accidentally hit a spectator with his ball, resulting in the woman being taken away in an ambulance. In addition to its challenging layout, The Blue Monster offers stunning visuals, with its fairways surrounded by lush palm trees and sparkling blue lakes.
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The Trump Organisation's ownership
Donald Trump's company, The Trump Organisation, purchased the Doral Golf Course in 2011 or 2012. Trump understood the historical significance of the course, and saw the potential in its prime location. He also had "plans for Doral that [were] really incredible".
Trump invested over $240 million into the course, including a $250 million renovation led by architect Gil Hanse, which took place from 2016 to 2018. Changes included expanding fairways to make play easier, but also adding more bunkers surrounding holes. The course was rebranded as "Trump National", and two new resort hotels were built, so guests could enjoy a comfortable stay without leaving the grounds.
Since Trump's purchase, the course has become one of the premier stops on the PGA and LPGA Tour schedules, hosting major events such as the WGC-Cadillac Championship from 2014 to 2017.
However, in 2019, it was reported that the resort was in "steep decline" financially, with its net operating income falling by 69% between 2015 and 2017. Trump has also been the target of dozens of liens from contractors who worked on the renovation project.
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Doral's premier golf status
Dorals Premier Golf Status
The Doral Golf Course in Miami, Florida, is one of the premier golf destinations in the United States. It has been a staple on the PGA Tour since its opening in 1962, and has hosted professional events since 1961. The course was originally designed by Dick Wilson, and has since been modified and updated by three-time Doral champion Ray Floyd.
Doral is currently owned by former President Donald Trump's company, The Trump Organization, which purchased the resort in 2012. Under Trump's ownership, the course underwent a $250 million renovation led by architect Gil Hanse, which included expanding fairways and adding more bunkers surrounding holes. The resort features 72 holes of golf, with its signature course being the Blue Monster at Doral, which has been described as "one of the most feared holes ever encountered in tournament play".
Over the years, Doral has hosted numerous important golf events, including the Doral Open on the PGA Tour from 1962 to 2006, and the WGC-Cadillac Championship from 2007 to 2016. The resort's other courses, including the Golden Palm and the Red Tiger, have also played host to significant tournaments, such as the PGA Tour Latinoamérica Shell Tour Championship and the LPGA Tour's The Office Depot.
With its recent course transformations, state-of-the-art facilities, and premier golf academy, Trump National Doral Miami continues to be a world-renowned golf resort, attracting golfers from around the world seeking to test their skills on its challenging and iconic courses.
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The Great White Course
The course closed in 2015, but golfers can still experience it through state-of-the-art FSX Play software, which captures every detail of the beloved course. The virtual rendition offers players a blend of challenging play and breathtaking scenery, with water features throughout.
In addition to its renowned golf courses, the Doral Resort and Spa also features extensive amenities, including a 50,000-square-foot spa with 33 treatment rooms, six food and beverage outlets, and a private members' clubhouse. The resort has hosted important events and was even selected to host the 46th G7 summit in 2019.
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Frequently asked questions
Doral Golf Course, also known as Trump National Doral Miami Golf Resort, is a golf resort in Doral, South Florida. It was founded in 1962 and is currently owned by former US President Donald Trump's company, The Trump Organization. The resort has 72 holes of golf, with its signature course being the Blue Monster at Doral.
Doral Golf has been described as a "bucket list golf destination" and a "golfer's haven", with Golf Magazine ranking its 18th hole with the signature fountain as one of the "Top 100 Holes in the World". The course has been played by some of the biggest names in golf, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Rory McIlroy. It has also undergone significant renovations and improvements, including a $250 million renovation led by architect Gil Hanse, making it one of Florida's premier luxury golf resorts.
Doral Golf has been home to professional golf events since 1961, when an unknown Johnny Miller won his first title at the Florida Open Invitational. It has also been a staple on the PGA Tour since its inception in 1962. The Blue Monster course at Doral hosted the Doral Open on the PGA Tour from 1962 to 2006 and the WGC-Cadillac Championship from 2007 to 2016. The course has seen some iconic moments, such as victories by Tiger Woods, Geoff Ogilvy, Phil Mickelson, and Ernie Els, as well as some embarrassing moments, like when Tiger Woods accidentally hit a spectator with his ball during a practice round in 2014.
