Donald Trump barred from Masters membership as golf icon quits TV job due to US president
Donald Trump is desperate to become a member at one of golf’s most famous courses – but it might never happen for the controversial US President
Donald Trump might never get his wish(Image: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Being president of the United States comes with a multitude of perks and membership to many exclusive areas of the country. However, the members’ lounge at the Masters seemingly isn’t one of them.
It’s something of a poorly kept secret that President Donald Trump has sought for years to gain a membership at Augusta National. Limited to around just 300 members at any one time, the Georgia resort is among the most exclusive locations in all of golf.
But despite becoming the ‘Leader of the Free World’ (twice), Trump doesn’t have the qualities required to fit in at Augusta. That’s according to coaching legend Butch Harmon, who, on the verge of the 2026 Masters, explained why Trump is kept at arm’s length.
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Harmon was questioned over why Trump isn’t (and quite possibly never will be) a member at Augusta National and responded: “I think you can answer that yourself. Because he’s Trump.
“I think he is who he is. He’s full of himself. He’s the type of person that I don’t think fits the profile of an Augusta member. I’ve known him most of my whole life, because his father was a member of Winged Foot.
“I’ve known Donald pretty much my whole life. What you see is what you get with him. And I don’t think his personality fits the membership at Augusta.”
Harmon’s late father, Claude, was the head pro at Winged Foot for more than 30 years (from 1945 to 1978). Trump, 79, has been a member at the New York course for more than 50 years, but Augusta is in a different bracket altogether, reports the Mirror.
As Harmon hinted, it’s not about the presidency, either. Dwight D. Eisenhower was among the club’s most famous members, with a cabin named after the 34th president of the United States even constructed on-site.
Following last year’s war between the US and Europe, tensions between the two continental colossi are perhaps still high. Team Europe won the Ryder Cup in New York as Masters titleholder Rory McIlroy waded through a sea of boos and jeers to lift the title.
The scenes were in places attributed to being typical of Trump’s America as constant chants of ‘USA’ ran across Bethpage. Further to that, it was also one of the more aggressive Ryder Cups on record as rival players and caddies quarrelled and bickered in front of spectators.
The actions of the home crowd were dubbed unbecoming of the sport by many, Harmon included. And the 82-year-old detailed his embarrassment over the ordeal, even going so far as to take himself off Sky’s broadcasting out of shame.
“I don’t think that [being president] has anything to do with it, because there’s been a lot of other presidents who played golf, and they’re not members. [Bill] Clinton, [Barack] Obama… they played golf.
“I think it’s just his personality doesn’t mix with that particular club. That’s as politically correct as I can be.”
Harmon’s late father, Claude, served as the head professional at Winged Foot for more than 30 years (from 1945 to 1978). Trump, 79, has held membership at the New York course for over 50 years, but Augusta operates in an entirely different league.
As Harmon suggested, it’s not about holding office, either. Dwight D. Eisenhower was amongst the club’s most celebrated members, with a lodge bearing the name of the 34th president of the United States even built on the grounds.
After last year’s battle between the US and Europe, friction between the two continental giants is perhaps still evident. Team Europe claimed the Ryder Cup in New York as Masters champion Rory McIlroy navigated through a chorus of boos and heckles to secure the trophy.
The incidents were in parts blamed on being characteristic of Trump’s America as relentless chants of ‘USA’ echoed throughout Bethpage. Additionally, it was also one of the more hostile Ryder Cups on record as opposing players and caddies argued and squabbled before onlookers.
The behaviour of the home supporters was labelled as unsporting by many, including Harmon. The 82-year-old expressed his mortification over the incident, even going to the extent of withdrawing from Sky’s coverage out of embarrassment.
“I thought the Ryder Cup was disgusting,” he added. “It was embarrassing being an American. I love the Ryder Cup, it’s my favourite one to broadcast and being from New York, I had planned to work with the Sky team, but I decided to pull out for that main reason.”
