The PGA Tour’s Return to Trump National Doral
The PGA Tour is gearing up to make its return to Trump National Doral this week, featuring the first-ever Cadillac Championship. At this stage, it’s uncertain whether President Donald Trump will attend the event, but his impact on the atmosphere is, well, a given.
As the venue undergoes final preparations for the season opener this Thursday, a new bronze statue has taken its place on the grounds. And it’s not just any statue—it’s a depiction of President Trump, captured in a moment of defiance, raising his fist after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania back in July 2024.
And, yes, it’s adorned in gold.
This shining statue of the sitting president overlooks the golf course that will host a PGA Tour event featuring a substantial $20 million purse. It’s already a one-of-a-kind installation.
The backstory and details about the statue add even more richness to the narrative. Sculptor Alan Cottrill, hailing from Zanesville, Ohio, was tasked with creating the statue back in August 2024, just after the assassination attempt.
This project was commissioned by a cryptocurrency group known as $PATRIOT, where things apparently got a bit complicated. Reports indicate that Cottrill received a payment of $300,000 for the 15-foot-tall statue, plus an extra $60,000 for the gold leafing. However, the project faced delays after the group accused itself of copyright violations by utilizing the statue’s likeness for crypto tokens.
Cottrill stored the statue at an undisclosed location in Muskingum County until all payments and agreements were finalized. Recently, all parties reached a resolution, allowing Cottrill to transport the statue from Ohio to Miami on a flatbed trailer, where it was ultimately installed on a pedestal overlooking the resort’s multiple golf courses.
So now, not only does a grand, golden statue of President Trump overshadow the golf course set to host PGA Tour events, but it has also been kept out of the public eye due to those copyright disputes involving the cryptocurrency firm.
Looking ahead, as 2026 unfolds, it seems safe to assume that another statue might find its place in Doral just in time for the G20 summit slated for December. Leaders from across the globe will have the opportunity to see this striking piece as discussions around the economy and climate take center stage.
