West Virginia governor and Senate candidate Jim Justice, a Republican, has recently become personally involved in the Saudi attempt to gain influence over U.S. professional golf. Justice owns The Greenbrier, a family-operated resort which will be hosting a high-profile tournament organized by LIV Golf, a league launched by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth vehicle. This arrangement has significant financial implications for both LIV Golf and The Greenbrier.
This sudden influx of Saudi funding through the golf campaign has raised concerns among lawmakers and watchdog groups. They worry that it will prevent criticism or scrutiny of the kingdom, particularly regarding its human rights record and policies such as colluding with Russia to maintain high oil prices. The PGA Tour, historically the premier golf organization in America, had been making similar arguments for months before ultimately agreeing to merge with the Saudis. This merger is currently under investigation by Congress and the Justice Department.
As a senator, if he defeats current Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) next year, Justice would likely have a significant say in Saudi-related issues such as arms sales due to the strong interest of Congress in the U.S.-Saudi relationship. However, there are ethical concerns surrounding Justice’s refusal to sell or place The Greenbrier in a blind trust. This raises questions about how the resort’s business might influence his policies or create conflicts of interest. Justice has also demonstrated ambiguous boundaries between his public office and private property, as seen in his meetings with LIV’s CEO and his public defense of Saudi intervention in golf.
This move mirrors former President Donald Trump’s association with LIV Golf, as the league has held multiple tournaments at his properties, including hosting its championship tournament at Trump’s Doral, Florida, property for the second consecutive year. While it is unclear how much money Trump and his clubs have received from these tournaments, Trump has downplayed the financial aspect, stating that his courses receive rental fees.
Critics of the Saudi-funded golf campaign continue to argue that it enhances the kingdom’s influence in the U.S. and serves as a distraction from concerning behavior, employing a strategy known as “sportswashing.” This weekend’s tournament at The Greenbrier is particularly disconcerting for longtime golf fans, as the resort had previously hosted PGA Tour events for many years. Some individuals, such as former West Virginia state senator Stephen Baldwin, have chosen not to support the LIV event due to ethical concerns and the desire to not associate with activities that they believe dishonor the game.
Legislators plan to further investigate the deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund in the coming months. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has requested the head of the Saudi fund to testify before Congress, as there is limited knowledge about the fund’s investments and future intentions in the U.S.