Page 71 - Midas Touch

rivals Pebble Beach in its beauty, it fronts the Pacific Ocean, and it’s truly
spectacular. However, the problem it had when I bought it was also rather
spectacular—the 18th hole had slid into the ocean, seriously damaging
three adjacent holes. This 18-hole course had become a 15-hole course and

needed some incredible rehabilitation. The owners had entered bankruptcy.
I knew it would be a big job, but I wanted to make this course what it
could be. I could see the potential and knew that, although I might be in
for some lessons along the way, I couldn’t just walk away from it.

I paid $27 million for the golf course, which included the land, the
clubhouse and the golf course. An article covering the deal in Fairways
and Greens magazine described the 18th hole as “Ground Zero plus $61

million” because that’s how much it had cost to repair the damage caused
by a landslide involving 17 acres of earth. On top of that, the water lines
beneath the fairway had given way, causing even more havoc.

Rebuilding the course involved engineering a structural layer that would
extend down the cliff to the beach, a series of walls made from Palos
Verdes rock, and steel platforms every 10 feet as reinforcement. It was a

complicated procedure, and $61 million was a lot for one hole. But I
wanted it done and done right, which allowed me to override any doubts I
had during this long and arduous process.

I also had a choice of whether to just fix the hole and keep the course as it
was, and it was a nice course, or to redo it entirely and make it fantastic.
As you may have guessed, I chose fantastic. That would cost me around
$265 million (including the fallen-hole reconstruction), but I knew it

would make the course as beautiful as it could and should be.

I wanted waterfalls, a driving range and crushed granite for the bunkers.
One of the legends in golf-course design, Pete Dye, came in to do his
magic. Everything was first-class, and everything was expensive. The best
usually is, but it wouldn’t be our brand otherwise. Trump National Golf
Club Los Angeles is stunningly beautiful and has become a tremendous
success. Why? Because that was my vision for it, and I kept that focus

throughout the whole procedure.

Having a vision for something can be a very powerful force for
accomplishment. Be sure yours is intact. Seeing yourself as victorious is a
big first step and should stay with you every step of the way. Those who