WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 19: Golfers enjoy pleasant weather while playing the greens at East Potomac Park Golf Course on Monday May 19, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/ The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Trump administration is seeking to make major changes to the United States government’s golf infrastructure, with work anticipated at Joint Base Andrews and a possible takeover of East Potomac Golf Course.
The National Links Trust (NLT), which operates three municipal golf courses in Washington, D.C., was served a notice of default by the Trump administration dated October 29. The notice did not specify a reason for the default or how the group could remedy the unlisted concerns, meaning it could lose operational control of East Potomac, Rock Creek, and Langston Golf Courses as early as next week.
The National Links Trust issued a statement shortly after The Wall Street Journal report was published:
“National Links Trust appreciates the President’s interest in the D.C. golf courses and looks forward to the opportunity to partner with the administration to improve these historically significant facilities. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that we are in default of our lease. In the five years since signing the lease, National Links Trust has worked hand in hand with the National Park Service through the extensive permitting and compliance processes required for these comprehensive renovation projects. We recently received approval to begin the first of those projects, the renovation of the Rock Creek Park Golf Course, where we are currently under construction. National Links Trust will continue to pursue our mission to positively impact communities through affordable and accessible golf.”
Source: The Fried Egg
https://www.thefriedegg.com/articles/national-links-trust-washington-dc-golf-trump
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 24: A truck unloads debris and soil from the demolition of the White House’s East Wing at East Potomac Golf Course on October 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to build a multimillion-dollar ballroom on the eastern side of the White House. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Cited in the notice was East Potomac Golf Course’s need to accept land and fill material from the President’s renovation of the White House’s East Wing. Under the National Links Trust, the course was slated for renovation with the assistance of architect Tom Doak, though the project has been delayed due to permitting. Work has already begun on Rock Creek Park Golf Course with architect Gil Hanse.
“I think what we’re looking to do is just build something different,” Trump told the Journal, “and build them in government.”
Source: The Athletic / New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6886848/2025/12/13/trump-administration-threatens-seize-dc-golf-courses/
Trump has also been vocal about renovating the golf course at Joint Base Andrews, tapping Jack Nicklaus for the work. Trump has visited the course infrequently in the past, preferring to play at his own Trump-branded properties.
“We’re doing some fix-up of the base, which it needs. We’re going to try and reinstitute the golf courses. I’m meeting with the greatest, Jack Nicklaus,” Trump said.
Source: Associated Press
https://apnews.com/article/trump-andrews-golf-course-renovation-jack-nicklaus-1e5e9bc2e791a094e91f6c4cedb79779
Trump owns 20 golf courses worldwide, a brand synonymous with luxury and opulence, with greens fees to match. Formerly Trump Ferry Point, now operated by Bally’s, his New York course offers a local walking rate of $169, a stark contrast to the National Links Trust’s East Potomac Golf Course, where tee times remain under $100.
The need for a dumping site, combined with Trump’s vision for luxury golf in the Washington, D.C., area, may be at the core of the notice issued to NLT. The group entered into a 50-year agreement in 2020 to operate the three courses, suggesting there may be additional motivations behind the administration’s action.