Trump gets to expand his empire Morning briefing

Donald Trump’s plans for “the world’s greatest golf course” on the Scottish coast have been the topic of great political debate in Scotland, leading the national government to intervene.

Last Thursday, the Aberdeen infrastructure services committee rejected Trump’s application, saying that Trump has tried to strong-arm his way into its country.

“We are having a pistol held to our heads,” said committee Chairman Martin Ford, according to the Scotsman. “I don’t think we should sell our souls.”

The rejection brought strong public outcry, however, because the 1-billion-pound resort is expected to boost the local economy. That’s when the national government stepped in.

“We are not bullying anybody,” Trump said. “What is going on right now is that [Mr. Ford] is being bullied by his own voters, but he is too self-righteous and caught up in himself to even see it.”

In other words, Trump was happy to hear someone say “you’re fired” to Ford.

Trivia time

What sophomore running back won the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Trophy in 1944, yet was second in the Heisman balloting that year despite averaging 11.5 yards per carry?

Not so fast

Professional track star Xavier Carter was walking down the street in Gainesville, Fla., with Florida defensive lineman Jermaine Cunningham and former Gators linebacker Jon Demps last week when police approached.

They wanted to question Cunningham and Demps about an argument they had with a clerk at a deli.

Carter, a world-class sprinter, took off running but was later caught and charged with resisting arrest.

Must have been one quick cop who tracked him down.

Sign of the times

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury will still qualify as a rookie in 2008, but that isn’t stopping him from big-leaguing fans.

The Boston Globe reported that Ellsbury, who had 116 at-bats in 2007, was charging $125 to $150 for autographs during an appearance at a Boston-area mall.

And, oh, by the way, his agent is Scott Boras.

The buzz

Morning Briefing reported two weeks ago that Major League Baseball would auction off a can of bug spray used by the New York Yankees during the bug attack at Jacobs Field in Cleveland during the American League playoffs.

Well, some lucky bidder forked over $673 for the repellent.

Sounds like a pretty bad deal, considering the stuff barely worked on Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, who had those bugs all over his neck and face despite numerous sprays.

Aloha spirit

East Carolina is going to the Aloha Bowl, but its fans apparently are not.

Participating schools are given 5,000 tickets to sell, but East Carolina officials say those are collecting dust.

“Right now, we’re pushing 200 that have ordered,” said Scott Wetherbee, the school’s assistant athletic director for ticketing and marketing.

But even though many will not make the 12-hour flight to Honolulu, Pirates fans want to ensure there are fans rooting for their team, so some are buying tickets and donating them to military personnel stationed in Hawaii.

Trivia answer

Glenn Davis of Army finished second to senior quarterback Les Horvath of Ohio State. Davis won the Heisman as a senior in 1946.

And finally

New York Islanders captain Bill Guerin and Florida Panthers defenseman Bryan Allen got into a fight Thursday night after Guerin cross-checked Allen, sending Allen head-first into the boards. Guerin apologized, yet the gloves still came off.

“He came to me right away when he hit me,” Allen said. “And before we fought and after we fought he was apologizing. It was a pretty stand-up move; I respect what he did. You don’t want to see anyone get hit from behind, let alone yourself.”

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peter.yoon@latimes.com