A Look at Trump’s National Golf Club Bedminster at New Jersey, Charges $350K per Year for Membership

The ultimate summer retreat for former president Donald Trump is his 1930s clubhouse; the Bedminster Golf Club in New Jersey is the exclusive venue for high-profile political gatherings and family get-togethers. On October 27, 2022, the opulent Trump National Golf Club Bedminster completed 20 glorious years, originally recognized for its agricultural land, Trump Bedminster has evolved into a top-notch establishment providing the best luxury golf, dining, leisure, and entertainment experiences. As per MSN, two years after it went into default and changed ownership, Donald Trump paid an alleged $35 million (£28.9 million) for the premium golf getaway in 2002. 

The elite private property which was once known as Lamington Farm, is situated on 535 acres of verdant, rolling farmland in central New Jersey. It was formerly called the Summer White House. Situated 45 minutes to the west of New York City, Lamington Farm was purchased in 1917 by an executive from an insurance agency in New York. He named the estate for himself and it quickly gained notoriety as the Cowperthwaite home. John K. Cowperthwaite, the son of Morgan Cowperthwaite, hired renowned architect Mott B. Schmidt in 1939 to create the stately, red-brick Lamington House, which would eventually serve as the clubhouse of the Trump National. In addition, Schmidt was in charge of creating the Susan B. Wagner wing of Gracie Mansion and the residences for the Vanderbilt and Rockefeller families. The property was owned by the Cowperthwaite family until 1981 when the famed and contentious automaker John Z. DeLorean paid an estimated $3.5 million for the sprawling Somerset County land.

A fictitious "entrapment" case involving the FBI regarding a $24 million (£19.8 million) cocaine deal, coupled with financial difficulties in his enterprise, caused DeLorean and his automotive company to go bankrupt. He was cleared, but in 2000 he sold the house to a course developer at a bankruptcy auction, reportedly for $15 million (£12.4 million). Opened in 2004, Bedminster was remodeled into an opulent member's club under the Trump National Golf Club name.  As per Page Six, the high society club membership initiation costs are estimated to be between $14,000 (£11.5k) and $25,000 (£20.6k), with a yearly charge of more than $350,000 (£288k). Members have luxurious access to eight tennis courts, a basketball court, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a heated swimming pool, a helipad for flying visits, and world-class golf. During their visit, members can also rent one of the eleven apartments or three opulent cottages. 

The lavish estate evokes a special connection between Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. The couple tied the knot on the estate's grounds in 2009. As per The NYTimes, the club was her something “borrowed” from her father for the beautiful wedding. The club has always been Trump's political sanctuary during his presidential days and continues to hold a prominent place in his real estate gems.