by Chuck Collet
Doug; I fear you have hit far too close to the truth. Tim and Rosie? A glorious analogy. Not much different in this weeks disjointed ramblings, and as I have mentioned, Tim's attractive attempt at a meaningless "combover" himself, is about par for the round..
Chuck Collet, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia

by Bob Kessinger
maybe an investigative article about how the rankings are compiled is due. Maybe there should be an unbiased organization or committee to do realistic ratings. many of the courses are unplayable to the golfers that make up most of the golfing public.
Exclusivity seems to be the key to getting a good rating then comes ad space and then "New" is the next component. there has to be a way to do a true survey maybe advertise an unbiased website during a "major" since there are not too many golfers that miss these special events.
Golf has definetly changed to a "star" factor versus the "integrity of golf factor"

by Brock Lasso
Firstly I would like to tell you that I enjoy Travelgolf.com ,that I receive by e-mail regularly.
On the Donald Trump golf course rating issue, I read with amusement the mileage you get out of the battle of words about Donald Trump personally.
If I read your story properly, Mr Trump
is complaining about his golf courses not beening rated in the top 100 in the USA. Why attack Trump personally? Why not take the high road and give Mr. Trump and the public the reasons the Trump golf courses do not qualify for beening rated in the top 100 USA courses. Why do you not address this in your article/comments in this issue. I think if you explain why the Trump courses do not qualify for the top 100 your readers would appreciate that information more than the cheap personal attacks. I think the public is sick of cheap grandstanding by public fiqures and the media, take the high road.
signed,
The Muskoka golfers

by Enda Lonergan
Tim, I could not agree with more regarding this whole issue of Course Ratings.
The process is quite simply corrupt and dishonest, with a few exceptions, here and there, in order to give the lists some credibility.
I work in the Golf industry and have done so for the last 15years in Ireland, and I will agrue the point with anyone, that if you buy enough of Ad Space, in the right magazines, then you can definitely climb the rankings.
We all know that in Ireland we possess some of the Globe's best Links Courses, yet many of those which appear in National and International Golf Rankings are NOT the best ones we have, but they have the right people promoting them, and placed ads in the right magazines and papers. Yes, they have fabulous locations, but on the ground, as a golf course, many are technically weak, even for the Club handicap Golfer.
The only ranking system I pay attention to, is word of mouth amongst Club Golfers, in particular, the low handicap guys.
Don't get me wrong, most if not all the Courses which make the Top 10, 50, 100, whatever, are fine Courses, but I bet they have big marketing budgets too.
E. Lonergan, Westport, Ireland.

by Brock Lasso
Your comments were right on the mark !
We have the same problem in Canada.
Money makes the world go around, I too stick to word of mouth for my golf
course rating.I'll e-mail you if I ever come to Ireland to golf.
Brock

by Gary S
Why get so excited about Trump? He is just a showman and that is what sports are all about now anyway. Integrity has taken a back seat to ticket sales and $ in athletics for a while(reference baseball & steroids, etc.)- golf just needs to "catch up". If you want to make it real popular, have Trump bet Tiger that if Tiger wins the US Open at his course, Tiger can shave the Donald's head! That'll get more people watching!

by Clayton Lloyd-Jones
I couldn't agree with you more!
I have stopped watching or reading anything that is associated with him.
The only quack who should call himself The Donald is a Disneyland duck.
Come to think of it his head looks the back end of a duck walking away from you.

by Tom A
It should be to no one's surprise that in order to play "the game" of getting good ratings, you've got to "put out." I've seen some crummy golf courses get ratings just because the resort gave the editors a nice weekend place to stay. Look at Good Housekeeping . . . to get their "Seal of Approval" you have to buy $160,000.00 worth of advertising before YOUR product gets the seal.

by avcguy
How about an arrogant guy with the power of the pen. I guess travelgolf.com chooses not to take the high road. Too bad.

by Mayber
Amen! What a great article and bless you for writing it!

by alan hirsch
Amen, Brother- Enough about this pompous braggert. On top of everything else that is disgusting about him- he has a funny-looking golf swing.

by Raul Colon
Bravo; what a wonderful article. You are right on target, "The Donald" is an extremely pompous ass. He is obviously of the opinion that he is somehow American royalty. The only thing he had which anyone would envy him over was Ivanna. She is fabulous lucky to be away from the blond embarassment.

by Shelly Ricker
I couldn't agree more. Donald Trump seems to pop up anywhere he can get some TV time and I was especially disappointed to see him included in a "Big Break" series. Couldn't watch the ones he showed up in. Why does he think he's a celebrity?

by Frank Soracco
There are only a few on my list of people the world would better off without and the Donald is one of them.
Frank Soracco
Venice, California

by Lyle
I might agree with your comments about Trump as a person, but his comments about Golf Digest are ritht on! This magazine has for years published these ridiculous "Best" lists and the courses who buy the publicity use the "rating" in their advertising to make the paying customer think they are something special...not kosher in my book. The messenger may be a flake but the message was right on! Beware of Golf Digest "Best of" ratings.