Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami not under Donald Trump's golf umbrella yet

MIAMI – Just minutes before I hit my first tee shot at the famed Blue Monster at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort, I wandered over to take a picture of the ominous par-4 18th, arguably the toughest finishing hole on the PGA Tour (see my photo during a sunset that lit the resort ablaze).

I just happened to walk straight into Urban Meyer, the former University of Florida football coach who was finishing his round of golf. He wasn’t the only celebrity I was expecting to run into at this iconic 693-room resort with five courses in south Florida.

I half-way expected to see Donald Trump, too. I figured he would be hanging around, playing golf and checking out his latest purchase. Turns out the news that ‘The Donald’ had purchased Doral was a bit ‘premature.’ Check out my story at GolfChannel.com for more.

Doral is one of the five resorts formerly owned by Morgan Stanley’s CNL Hotels & Resorts Inc. that is in bankruptcy protection and up for sale. Doral, built in 1962, has experienced many upgrades to its rooms, spa, golf courses and restaurant scene in recent years. I haven’t stayed here in a decade and haven’t played the Blue in at least five years. After two days here, I’m very impressed with its new restaurant scene. The golf is pretty good, too.

I still enjoy playing the Great White by Greg Norman more than the Blue. The Blue has my number. I still haven’t solved it after three rounds over the past decade. I’m sure a lot of pros feel the same way, so at least I’m in good company.