The Ocean Trails Golf Club subsequently went into bankruptcy, and on November 26, 2002, Trump bought the property for $27 million, intending to repair, redesign the course and build homes on adjacent lots.

[9] The Ocean Trails Golf Club was part of a 150-acre (0.61 km2) property owned by developer Edward Zuckerman and a partner.

[11] The height of the peninsula of 1,210 feet (370 m) above sea level and the action of the waves are two main contributing factors for the landslides.

The stratification of the sedimentary rock below the course is visible in the high cliffs of the area as it gradually slopes seaward.

[12] The green of the Ocean Trails golf course 18th hole and half of its fairway were on top of ancient landslide C.[6] On June 2, 1999, the 10-year, $126 million construction project on the Ocean Trails golf course was almost complete and close to its scheduled opening when a landslide unexpectedly occurred, caused by the sudden reactivation of ancient landslide C,[6] and 980-foot (300 m) of the 18th hole fairway disappeared under the ocean when a fissure parallel to the cliff appeared and subsequently collapsed.

Covered by insurance funds, a massive geotechnical project was launched to reconstruct the 18th hole using 1,250,000 cubic yards (955,694 m3) of earth to fill it.

[11] In 2002, Donald Trump stepped in and bought the 300-acre (1.2 km2) property, including the golf course, with the intention of finalizing construction and repairs by the summer of 2003.

[14] On January 20, 2006, the 18-hole Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles opened in Rancho Palos Verdes.