The WGC-Cadillac Championship begins tomorrow at Trump National Doral in Miami, and course Owner Donald Trump is "revamping the spectator experience," according to Linda Robertson of the MIAMI HERALD. Trump with his $250M renovation of the course is "bringing a little South Beach and Las Vegas to Doral." There will be "plenty of champagne. And vodka. And stone crabs, sushi, tapas, even 28-day dry-aged New York strip steak." There also will be "food trucks and a Versailles restaurant concession stand," as well as a Santana concert, fashion show and "red-carpet introduction of players." VIP ticket-holders "arrive via an Escalade shuttle" at the Escalade Lounge behind the 16th green. Tournament Chair Butch Buchholz said, "Donald understands show biz." Robertson noted about 90,000 fans "attended the Cadillac Championship" in '14, up 12% from '13. A grounds ticket for tomorrow's first round "costs $40; it’s $50 on Friday and $60 on Saturday and Sunday or $125 for the week, with kids 18 and under free with an adult." Sponsorship seating and suite prices "range from $20,000 to $100,000" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/3). USA TODAY's Steve DiMeglio writes Trump's "passion for the game coupled with his love for development has resulted in a portfolio featuring some of the world's best courses." Epitomizing the "Trump doctrine of go big or go home, the week includes a model search" and a "showcase for 70 of the game's best players." This will "not be just another week on the PGA Tour, and that is precisely Trump's intention" (USA TODAY, 3/4). Trump said of Doral, “I took a piece of property that was really in trouble and made it the hottest resort in the country.” Trump: “The people in the golf industry that are doing it differently are making a big mistake. Golf should be an aspirational game … and I think if they look at golf as being other than that, they’re making a big mistake” (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 3/4).
