This golf stuff is contagious for a certain high-profile New York family, and that’s a good thing for travelers looking to buy a second home or join a private club from New Jersey to Florida to Scotland — and now, Puerto Rico.

If you think the buck stops with The Donald when it comes to building a golf empire, think again. While Mr. Trump is the guiding force behind such properties as Trump National Los Angeles, his passion for the game and all of its fascinating facets appears to be a family trait. As Vice President of Development and Acquisitions, son Eric Trump is involved in all aspects of each project in the company’s impressive portfolio, which includes more than 33 active developments spread throughout nine countries. But it’s Trump International Golf Club and Residences in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, that really has him fired up. The stunning new property made its debut in early 2008 while hosting the first-ever PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open. “This property is truly one-of-a-kind and is set in a breathtaking tropical setting,” Trump says, showing that he shares his dad’s gift for glowing nomenclature. “We’re bringing a New York-type product and an element of luxury that people expect but have never before seen in Puerto Rico.”

Trump Puerto Rico is the first project in the Trump Organization’s portfolio to combine real estate and luxury amenities, including 36 holes of golf designed by Tom Kite, private beach and beach club, tennis courts and a selection of well-appointed residences. The first 56 “founders” residences have been built, with up to 500 total on the drawing board.

“We target only the best courses and facilities in the nation and world, and Puerto Rico is right up there,” the younger Trump says. “Several years ago I was looking in the Caribbean and was very involved in bringing the Cap Cana [Dominican Republic] project to the company, but I came across this piece of land, and it’s spectacular. It’s a peninsula with a bay on one side, ocean on the other, surrounded by a rain forest. The PGA Tour has been there for two years, will be there for three more years and hopefully many years after.”

Trump points to the American east coast as the project’s primary market, but it’s well positioned to attract worldwide travelers seeking the best a luxury resort has to offer. “I’ve been to the majority of major developments in the Caribbean, and what they’ve always lacked is the true kind of New York quality — the 10-foot ceilings, the five-fixture bathrooms. That’s what we wanted to bring here. Between the golf and great amenities and great real estate as well, we’ve created an amazing package.”

And, like his father, he doesn’t foresee the family passion for golf and development waning anytime soon. “I love building, transforming something into something great. With golf it’s nice to be able to push dirt around and turn something natural into something even more beautiful. Golf has become very lucrative for us. But it’s more of a passion; my dad is a scratch golfer, which blows people away. He loves spending time on golf courses, but he also loves working with architects and engineers, managing properties, bringing other businesspeople out and playing with them. It all ties together. It allows him to have fun on the weekends but continue to work; it keeps our fascination with the game and expanding our brand as fast as we have.”

www.TrumpGolfClubPuertoRico.com