PGA Tour Leaving Doral; Going To Mexico City
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – South Florida typically provides some of the best golfing weather possible. Despite that the PGA has decided to pack up and leave.
Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump announced on Fox News the PGA is moving a tournament that draws 60 of the world's best golf players from "Trump National Doral" to Mexico City.
The PGA holding a news conference Wednesday afternoon to address the move.
"They're moving their tournament. It's the Cadillac World Golf Championship and Cadillac's been a great sponsor, but they're moving it to Mexico. They're moving it to Mexico City which, by the way, I hope they have kidnapping insurance," said Trump. "I'm saying, you know, what's going on here? It is so sad when you look at what's going on with our country."
He brought the subject up again at a rally in California.
"They moved the world golf championship from Miami to Mexico City, can you believe it?" he said, to which the crowd loudly booed.
The PGA asked for $6 million to keep the tournament in Doral but the county was given a short time to come up with the money.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez is not happy an event that brings millions of dollars in revenue to South Florida is leaving after more than five decades.
"We've had this tournament here for over 50 years. I believe it's a question of money and the PGA decided that they were being offered more money in Mexico and I just don't think it's right for the people of Dade County," said Gimenez.
Doral Councilwoman Sandra Ruiz thinks the move has more to do with the fact that Trump, the owner of the golf course, has made controversial remarks aimed at Latinos and Muslims.
She issued a statement that read, in part, "I am requesting a meeting with the PGA and I will continue to do everything I can to let the PGA and the international business community know that Doral is a welcoming city, that is worthy of international investment."
Mayor Gimenez also vows to continue trying to get the tournament to return to South Florida.
"I wish them luck in Mexico but I hope that one day they return," said Gimenez.
