BEDMINSTER -- Four protesters wearing T-shirts that read "USGA: Dump Sexist Trump" assembled outside the President Donald Trump's viewing box moments after his arrival at the U.S. Women's Open on Sunday afternoon.
The protesters, who are from the group UltraViolet, were moved back from the ropes at the edge of the spectator area by security. Several N.J. state troopers and local police officers surrounded them, and an event security guard asked to see their tickets.
"This is a campaign that we've been working on for close to nine months, if not more," UltraViolet campaign director Emma Boorboor said. "Before Trump was even elected president, we launched a campaign calling on the USGA to not host the golf tournament on the course of a sexual predator. We thought it wasn't right for the women to have to play and for Trump to profit."
UltraViolet's protest, which began just after 3 p.m., stirred up tensions with some in the crowd.
"Crazy wacked out libs," one woman said as she walked past the area. One fan wearing a Trump National shirt taunted them as his friend took photos. Another yelled out, "Go into the woods and find Hillary."
The most vocal opponent was a woman, who would only be identified as Victoria K., a Taiwanese immigrant who lives in Harding, could be heard yelling "What rights have you lost?" at the protesters, among other things.
"We don't all buy into this propaganda," the woman said.
UltraViolet was one of several groups protesting throughout the day at Trump National Golf Club.
Earlier in the afternoon, a group from South Orange and Maplewood known as SOMA Action was seen walking around the course in T-shirts that spelled out "RESIST!" on the front and "This is not normal" on the back.
Another group, We the People NJ-07 - which is made up of members from New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District - was also involved in the day's protests, which included fans holding pink umbrellas.
"We're not doing anything that would disrupt the play," Jim Girvan, a member of We the People, said. "We just want to be able to show our support for (the players) and our objections to Donald Trump - the fact that the LPGA still had to have it here in light of all the comments and actions that he's taken that are contrary to women's rights."
Given their disagreements with Trump, both Girvan and UltraViolet members acknowledged that they had some reservations about paying to attend an event being held at his course.
"It's not ideal, but it's more important to be able to look the president in the eye and know that we're not afraid of him," UltraViolet's Melissa Byrne said. "He may think he has all this power and he's so strong, but we're stronger than he is."
Earlier in the day, Donald Trump tweeted that the supporters outnumbered the protesters, who until Sunday were rallying three miles from the course in Bedminster. Trump waved to the crowd, as he has several times each day, but did not acknowledge the protesters.
Though most players have been reluctant to talk about the president this week, one player told The Chicago Tribune two weeks ago that she hoped the president would stay away to avoid "a big debacle." And another, Lizette Salas, has been a critic in the past.
But throughout Saturday afternoon, a handful of players paid a visit to the president after their rounds. That list included Paula Creamer, Sandra Gal, Cristie Kerr, Suzanne Pettersen, Lexi Thompson and 15-year-old amateur Rachel Heck.
Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at mstypulkoski@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski.
Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevePoliti. Find NJ.com on Facebook.