UltraViolet Responds to USGA CEO Mike Davis on Holding the US Women’s Open at a Trump-Owned Golf Course
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 24, 2017
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.com | 914-523-9145
UltraViolet Responds to USGA CEO Mike Davis on Holding the US Women’s Open at a Trump-Owned Golf Course
Earlier today, USGA CEO Mike Davis told reporters at a press conference featuring Eric Trump that the decision to hold the 2017 US Women’s Open at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster was not political, saying: “We’re simply not going to cross that line into politics. We can appreciate that some people do and that’s what’s great about this country – that everybody has their own political views. But we are a golf association and we’re sticking to golf.”
Shaunna Thomas, co-founder of UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization which has called on the USGA and LPGA to move the US Women’s Open from the Trump-owned Bedminster golf course, issued the following statement responding to Davis’ comments:
“Despite Mike Davis’ claims – the USGA’s decision to hold the 2017 US Women’s Open at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster is an explicitly political decision. By holding the tournament at Trump’s golf course, the USGA is giving millions in revenue, free advertising and branding directly to the President of the United States and his brand of racism, sexism and division.
“Trump’s decades-long record of degrading women should have been enough for the USGA to realize that the venue was inappropriate for one of the most celebrated women’s sporting events in the country. This is a deliberate choice by the USGA to be in the President’s favor instead of rejecting misogyny.
“The USGA had an opportunity to send a signal to the future of golf: women, people of color, young people and people with disabilities – that it stands with them and against Trump’s brand of hate. Instead, the USGA seems intent on doubling-down on Trump and turning a blind eye to the political implications of their decision.”
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