In the midst of the MLB season, when off days are few and far between, players simply have to take what the schedule gives them when it comes to getting out on the golf course. For the Los Angeles Angels, one of those days happened to be August 3, MLB trade deadline day, and with the team on the East Coast, it was as good an opportunity as any to get out to Mike Trout’s private club, Trout National.
With the Angels owning a record of 43-69 at the deadline and the front office going full-on sell mode, what was meant to be a stress-free day on the links turned into a complete and total mess.
The Tiger Woods-designed Trout National is a private club with a budget of $100 million located in the 12-time All-Star’s hometown of Vineland, New Jersey. The club is the definition of private, with only a select number of golfers stepping foot on the property; therefore, it’s fair to assume the dozen teammates Trout welcomed to play were looking forward to the experience.
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27 )greets the camera after his homer in the first inning during tha game between the Los Angels of Anaheim and the Miami Marlins on Friday, August 7, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The excitement didn’t last too long, at least for four of the players teeing it up at Trout National.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, relievers Ryan Zeferjahn and Brent Suter, along with outfielder Jo Adell, were traded in the middle of their rounds.
Brent Suter #37 of the Los Angeles Angels throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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Reliever Kirby Yates was lucky enough to get through his round without being dealt, but found out he had been shipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a car leaving the course.
Suter, who was in his first season with the Angels, had his priorities in order when he received the call, telling Rosenthal that his first question was, “Can I finish the round? Can I golf?”
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring on a double by Jorge Soler during the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The 11-year veteran did get to enjoy a round before a new reality set in as he made his way to a new organization.
Things didn’t go as smoothly for Zeferjahn, however, as he found out that he had been traded to the Chicago Cubs during a rain delay with six holes left to play.
There isn’t exactly a perfect place to be when finding out you’ve been traded to a new team, but on a golf course on an off day has to be up there on the list.
