WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. — Trump National Golf Club Westchester, a private golf course in Briarcliff Manor about 30 miles north of New York City, is under investigation for how it valued its property in a longstanding fight to reduce its taxes, according to a New York Times story published Wednesday.
Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah’s office is reportedly looking into how Trump National Golf Course LLC valued the course in documents it submitted to the town of Ossining as part of an ongoing challenge of its property assessment.
Here’s some background on the golf club and its history in Westchester.
Where is Trump National located?
Trump National Golf Club Westchester is a private club located on 140 acres at 100 Shadow Tree Lane in the village of Briarcliff Manor, which is located in the town of Ossining.
The property was home to the former Briar Hall Country Club before being transformed under the Trump Organization, which opened the new course in 2002.
It is one of three golf courses that the Trump Organization runs in New York. It also has Trump National Golf Club, a private club in the Dutchess County town of East Fishkill; and Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, a public course in the Bronx in New York City.
What does the club offer?
The Briarcliff Manor club’s 7,300-yard course is complemented by an indoor golf simulator, a 75,000-square-foot clubhouse with a restaurant, and a pool and tennis courts.
It also has six suites for overnight visits. In addition to golf, the club is a popular venue for weddings and other events, as well.
Club connections
Donald Trump, an avid golfer, has played rounds with local sportswriters to show them around his Briarcliff Manor course, which has hosted amateur tournaments. The club’s locker room has included lockers with nameplates for such big names as former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani and the late television star Regis Philbin.
Dan Scavino, a Dutchess County resident, handled social media for the White House during Trump’s presidency. He met Trump as a teen caddy at the Briarcliff Manor golf course, where he later served as executive vice president and general manager.
The 13th hole at the Trump National Golf Club, Westchester. (The Trump Organization)
Trump controversy
Trump National Golf Club Westchester was in the news a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, when its taxable value dropped in last year’s property revaluation in Ossining as many residential property values increased at the same time. It was part of an ongoing legal fight over what share of the community’s property tax burden should fall on the shoulders of Trump National, one of the largest taxpayers in the town of Ossining.
The club also made headlines in August when Donald Trump made an appearance there for a fundraiser to benefit New York’s GOP. Supporters and critics of the former president both lined up outside the course that night as he returned to Westchester for the $1,000-per-ticket event.
Matt Spillane covers breaking news throughout the Hudson Valley. Click here for his latest stories. Follow him on Twitter @MattSpillane.
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