Golf

U.S. Women's Open will keep its date with Trump course

The United States Golf Association is still planning to hold the 2017 U.S. Women's Open at a New Jersey course owned by Donald Trump.

U.S. Golf Association was asked to reconsider due to Trump's 'pattern of degrading women'

Donald Trump speaks at a golf tournament earlier this summer. On Tuesday, the United States Golf Association said it is still planning to hold the 2017 U.S. Women's Open at a New Jersey course owned by Trump. (Jane Barlow/The Associated Press)

The United States Golf Association is still planning to hold the 2017 U.S. Women's Open at a New Jersey course owned by Donald Trump.

The USGA had no comment on a letter sent to it by three Democratic U.S. senators asked that the event be moved away from Trump National in Bedminster.

Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, Edward Markey, of Massachusetts, and Bob Casey, of Pennsylvania, made the request in a letter sent Monday, asking USGA executive director Mike Davis to consider suspending further events at properties owned by the Republican presidential candidate because of what they describe as a "pattern of degrading and dehumanizing women" over decades.

The Trump Organization declined comment.

'We will simply not comment on politics' 

USGA spokeswoman Janeen Driscoll said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the organization's stance on Trump has not changed since it issued a statement a couple of months ago.

At the time, the USGA said the Trump has made some remarks during his presidential campaign that are at odds with its belief that golf should be welcoming and inclusive for all. The organization has reiterated for more than a year that it does not share his views, and that is still true, the statement read.

With the tournament less than a year away, the USGA said its focus is to conduct an excellent championship for the players, the spectators, the fans, and the volunteers.

"Our position hasn't changed since that time" Driscoll wrote. "Beyond that, we simply will not comment on politics."

Trump was recorded in a 2005 video using vulgar language and apparently boasting of sexual assault. He has been accused of unwanted sexual advances by a group of women this month. He has called them liars and threatened to sue.