The game of golf has long been seen as more than just a sport; it has served as a backdrop for deal-making and relationship-building, particularly in the context of politics and business.
Evodio Kaltenecker, an associate teaching professor in international business and strategy at Northeastern, suggests that golf’s relaxed and scenic environments uniquely facilitate conversations and the development of personal relationships.
Kaltenecker observes that the nature of golf—allowing players to interact over an extended period—makes it distinct from sports like basketball or tennis, where the pace of play does not encourage dialogue in the same way.
This dynamic has been notably employed by President Donald Trump, who utilized his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, Scotland, as a venue for significant political discussions, including a recent trade deal announcement between the U.S. and the European Union.
During his visit to Scotland in July, President Trump hosted key political figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Kaltenecker notes that many U.S. presidents have historically played golf, with figures such as John F. Kennedy and George W. Bush embracing the sport.
However, the unique aspect of President Trump’s involvement lies in his business interests in golf, as he owns multiple golf courses and resorts.
“The intertwining between golf and business, business and politics, and politics and golf are not new,” Kaltenecker explains.
“But the novelty here is the triple intertwining of golf, business, and politics altogether,” he adds, emphasizing that Trump’s dual role as a golfer and a golf course owner introduces complexities that have not been seen before.
During his recent visit, Trump was described as actively engaging with guests at Turnberry, even personally ensuring that empty glasses were cleared away to maintain the resort’s tidiness.
Kaltenecker cautions that such interconnections between golf, business, and politics can lead to transparency issues, especially if lobbyists leverage golf outings to gain access to influential decision-makers within Trump’s administration.
The ethical concerns surrounding these interactions merit scrutiny, especially as they pertain to potential conflicts of interest.
Conversely, President Trump’s political actions have been noted to affect his business interests—evident when pro-Gaza activists from the group Palestine Action vandalized the Turnberry resort following comments he made regarding the Middle East conflict.
Although Trump has advocated for Turnberry to host the British Open, his son Eric Trump acknowledged in a recent BBC interview that politics has presented challenges for event organizers due to Trump’s controversial stance on various issues.
The intricate relationship between golf and politics promises to persist, at least until the potential conclusion of Trump’s presidential term in 2029.
Kaltenecker predicts that we are likely to witness even more pronounced examples of the convergence amongst golf, business, and politics in the years to come.
He emphasizes that golf serves as a notable sport for business networking while also raising significant ethical considerations that must be addressed.
In sum, the associations among golf, business, and political activities reinforce the importance of examining the ethical landscape surrounding such interactions.
As golf continues to play a critical role in the corridors of power, the implications of these relationships—both positive and negative—will remain a topic of discussion for the foreseeable future.
image source from：news
