Episode seven of NBC’s reality show “The Apprentice” was a case of beauty and the beastly game of minigolf.

NetWorth’s Audrey, arguably the most photogenic Apprentice ever, led her team to defeat in a contest that featured the humblest of carnival games. And who would have predicted it? It was a challenge involving miniature golf that finally got the “book smart” Magna team on par again with the “street smart” NetWorth gang.

After seven episodes, both teams now have 5 players left. And the oddsmakers are back to even money on whether a college kid or a high-school grad will win the match to be Donald Trump’s next Apprentice.

Now all true Trumpologists know that The Donald is a golf nut. He builds and owns landmark courses worldwide. Last week on the show, Mr. Trump asked both teams to create a theme, build, and then operate a mini-golf course at Chelsea Piers, a recreation and entertainment complex on Manhattan’s west side waterfront. The winner would be the team that booked the most revenue in a one-day marathon of mini-golf.

But even before anyone teed it up, NetWorth’s Audrey shot a triple bogey with her meltdown over her teammates’ lack of respect for her. John confronted Audrey, saying his 22-year-old teammate was unworthy to serve as project manager, but after some serious pitching, Audrey sold her team. But her victory was short-lived. Magna’s project manager was Stephanie and her brilliant sidekick Kendra, whose genius stroke came when she cut exclusive deals with all the other Chelsea Piers concessionaires to hand out discount coupons to Magna’s mini-golf course.

The coupons brought in big business, and Magna out-earned Networth by $508 to $304.

Episode Seven Turning Points

From the opening gun, the NetWorth squad’s morale was sub-par. Audrey’s episode-opening meltdown even turned off her friend Angie.

And when the bickering failed to subside during the critical promotion leading up to the course openings, NetWorth became its own worst enemy, chasing as many customers away as they promised to attract.

Both teams picked tried-and-true carnival attraction themes for their courses. NetWorth went with a circus motif for their mini-golf course, while Magna opted for a safari layout.

But as NetWorth soon found out, a cute design and a whole promotion team in clown costumes cannot outsell a well-executed discount coupon scheme.

Of course, it would have helped NetWorth’s cause if the clown-clad team bickered less and if their chief clown, Chris, had stopped scaring away children with his lip full of chewing tobacco.

In the boardroom, Audrey brought in three rather than the usual two, but it was clear to Mr. Trump that although Audrey’s appearance brought admirers, her team did not respect her. And, although Mr. Trump scolded Chris for his nasty tobacco addiction, The Donald soon focused on Audrey, whose mismanagement and lack of team respect had led them to defeat. The Donald gave Audrey the Trump-A-Dump while the winning Magna team was rewarded with a golf outing at the mega-exclusive Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey, playing 18 holes with both The Donald and LPGA star Cristie Kerr.

Lessons Learned

LESSON ONE Power isn’t given – it is taken and used to inspire and lead others to action. Audrey delegated tasks, but her inability to manage her team and work with them on achievement was the result of her own insecurity and lack of leadership. Instead of claiming the role of project manager and leading the team to success, she used it to pawn off responsibility and blame others for not measuring up. This cost her in profits and team respect.

LESSON TWO Customers can’t come and spend unless they know you are there. Magna was brilliant in their vendor alliance building: it got the word out to Chelsea Piers customers by having flyers in the established places and each flyer was a discount coupon. Without building awareness and marketing it a business goes nowhere, proven by the failure of NetWorth.

LESSON THREE Good looks might get you in the door, but you need smarts to keep you there. With all the talk about Audrey being beautiful, it still wasn’t enough. After firing Audrey, Mr. Trump mused, “Now they can’t accuse me of hiring the best looking one.” Even if Audrey’s appearance was a factor in selecting her for the show, her undeniable immaturity earned her a disgraceful ride from the suite to the street.

With 10 Apprentices left for next week’s contest, the teams are all even. And with the obligatory golf episode now out of the way, next week’s show promises to get back to business, with more great lessons in store. Stay tuned.

Mr.Whitehead is a consultant specializing in workstyles and careers. Email your questions and comments to trumponomics@aol.com.